Greek · G2307, G2316 · unreviewed
θέλημα
Will/desire · God
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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
θέλημα G2307 will/desire
Pronunciation thélēma
God's will as the objective content of what He ordains, not merely subjective desire or preference
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θεός G2316 God
Pronunciation theós
The definite article marks God as the one true God; anarthrous form emphasizes His divine nature or character.
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What does θέλημα (thélēma) mean in the Bible?
θέλημα · θεός is a Greek word meaning "a determination (properly, the thing), i.e. (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination". :-- desire, pleasure, will. Defines the believer’s new governing aim in contrast to former passions.
Full entry for θέλημα (G2307, G2316) · Browse the biblical lexicon
Meaning
a determination (properly, the thing), i.e. (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination
Extended definition
:-- desire, pleasure, will.
Why This Word Matters
Defines the believer’s new governing aim in contrast to former passions. 1 Peter 4:1-6
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Nominative · Singular · Neuter Matt 6:10 · Matt 18:14 · Matt 26:42 · Luke 22:42 · John 6:39 · John 6:40 · Acts 21:14 · Rom 12:2 · 1 Cor 16:12 · Eph 5:17 · 1 Thess 4:3 · 1 Thess 5:18 · 1 Pet 2:15 · 1 Pet 3:17 14×
Genitive · Singular · Neuter John 1:13 · Rom 15:32 · 1 Cor 1:1 · 1 Cor 7:37 · 2 Cor 1:1 · 2 Cor 8:5 · Eph 1:1 · Eph 1:5 · Eph 1:9 · Eph 1:11 · Col 1:1 · Col 1:9 · 2 Tim 1:1 14×
Dative · Singular · Neuter Luke 23:25 · Rom 1:10 · Col 4:12 · Heb 10:10 · 1 Pet 4:2 · 2 Pet 1:21 6×
Accusative · Singular · Neuter Matt 7:21 · Matt 12:50 · Matt 21:31 · Mark 3:35 · Luke 12:47 · John 4:34 · John 5:30 · John 6:38 · John 7:17 · John 9:31 · Acts 22:14 · Rom 2:18 · Gal 1:4 · Eph 6:6 · 2 Tim 2:26 · Heb 10:7 26×
Accusative · Plural · Neuter Acts 13:22 · Eph 2:3 2×
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
New Testament Witnesses
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.
1 Corinthians 8 — Knowledge, Love, and the Weak Brother in a World of Idols Acts 10 — God Opens the Gospel Door to the Gentiles Acts 14 — Through Many Hardships into the Kingdom Acts 16 — The Gospel Enters Macedonia: Opened Hearts, Broken Chains, and Household Faith Acts 18 — The Lord Strengthens the Mission in Corinth and Beyond Acts 19 — The Word of the Lord Grows Mightily in Ephesus Acts 21 — Paul Goes to Jerusalem and Is Seized in the Temple Acts 22 — Paul’s Defense: Christ Appears, Sends, and Preserves His Witness Acts 28 — Paul in Rome: The Kingdom Proclaimed Without Hindrance Acts 6 — Word Ministry, Servant Leadership, and Stephen’s Faithful Witness Acts 7 — Stephen Testifies to Israel’s Resistance and Christ’s Glory Acts 9 — The Risen Christ Converts His Fiercest Persecutor Colossians 4 — Prayer, Wise Witness, Faithful Service, and Gospel Fellowship John 10 — The Good Shepherd, the Door, and the Son One with the Father John 11 — The Resurrection and the Life, the Raising of Lazarus, and the Plot to Kill Jesus John 16 — The Spirit’s Convicting Witness, the Disciples’ Sorrow Turned to Joy, and Christ’s Victory over the World John 17 — The Son’s High Priestly Prayer: Glory, Preservation, Sanctification, Unity, Mission, and Love John 19 — The Crucified King: Behold the Man, Behold Your King, It Is Finished, and the Pierced Son John 20 — The Risen Lord: Empty Tomb, Eyewitness Faith, Peace, Mission, Spirit, Thomas, and the Purpose of the Gospel John 21 — The Risen Lord Restores, Commissions, Shepherds, and Testifies through His Witness John 3 — New Birth, Lifted-Up Son, and the Love of God for the World John 4 — Living Water, True Worship, and the Savior of the World John 6 — The Bread of Life, the Words of Eternal Life, and the Crisis of True Discipleship John 7 — The Feast, the Divided Crowd, and the Living Water of Jesus John 9 — The Man Born Blind, the Light of the World, and the Blindness of Religious Unbelief Luke 10 — The Kingdom Mission Expanded, Mercy Defined, and the Better Portion Chosen Luke 11 — Prayer, Kingdom Conflict, True Hearing, and the Exposure of Hypocrisy Luke 12 — Fear God, Confess Christ, Seek the Kingdom, and Be Ready Luke 20 — The Rejected Son, the Questioned Authority, and the Lord Who Silences His Opponents Luke 22 — The Passover Betrayal, the New Covenant Meal, and the Suffering Servant King Luke 23 — The Innocent King Condemned, Crucified with Transgressors, and Buried in Hope Luke 24 — The Risen Christ Opens the Scriptures, Commissions Witnesses, and Ascends in Blessing Luke 3 — The Way Prepared, the Son Revealed, and the Lineage Traced Luke 4 — The Spirit-Anointed Son Tested, Rejected, and Proclaiming the Kingdom Luke 5 — The Authority of Jesus to Call, Cleanse, Forgive, and Make New Luke 6 — The Lord of the Sabbath Forms a Kingdom People Luke 7 — The Compassionate Lord Who Heals, Raises, Confirms, and Forgives Luke 8 — The Word Heard, the Kingdom Revealed, and the Lord’s Authority Displayed Luke 9 — The Christ Revealed, the Cross Announced, and the Jerusalem Road Begun Mark 1 — The Beginning of the Gospel: The Servant-King Appears with Authority Mark 10 — The Way of the Servant King: Marriage, Children, Wealth, Cross, Ransom, and Sight Mark 11 — The King Comes to Jerusalem: Fig Tree, Temple Judgment, Faith, Forgiveness, and Authority Mark 12 — The Rejected Son, the Greatest Commandment, the Lord of David, and the Widow’s Offering Mark 14 — The Son of Man Handed Over: Anointing, Supper, Gethsemane, Betrayal, Trial, and Denial Mark 15 — The Crucified King: Condemnation, Mockery, Death, Confession, and Burial Mark 3 — The Servant-King Confronted: Sabbath Mercy, Demonic Accusation, and the Family of God Mark 4 — The Mystery of the Kingdom: Hearing, Fruitfulness, and the Lord over the Storm Mark 5 — The Authority of Jesus over Demons, Disease, and Death Mark 7 — True Defilement and Boundary-Crossing Mercy Mark 9 — Glory, Unbelief, Suffering, Humility, and Radical Discipleship Matthew 12 — The Lord of the Sabbath, the Servant of the Lord, and the Crisis of Unbelief Matthew 14 — The Death of John, the Compassion of Jesus, and the Son of God over Bread, Sea, and Fear Matthew 15 — Tradition, the Heart, Gentile Faith, and the Compassionate Bread of the Messiah Matthew 16 — The Confession of the Christ, the Church Christ Builds, and the Cross-Shaped Way of Discipleship Matthew 18 — Kingdom Humility, Care for the Little Ones, Discipline, and Forgiveness in Christ’s Community Matthew 21 — The King Enters Jerusalem, Judges Fruitless Religion, and Exposes Rejected-Son Leadership Matthew 22 — The Wedding Banquet, the King’s Invitation, and the Messiah Who Is David’s Lord Matthew 26 — The Betrayal, Passover, Gethsemane, Trial, and Denial of Jesus Matthew 27 — Jesus Condemned, Crucified, Dead, Buried, and Guarded Matthew 4 — The Tested Son, the Kingdom Proclaimed, and the First Disciples Called Matthew 5 — Kingdom Blessedness, Fulfilled Law, and Heart-Level Righteousness Matthew 6 — Hidden Righteousness, the Father’s Reward, and Seeking First the Kingdom Matthew 7 — Kingdom Discernment, the Narrow Way, and the Wise Builder Matthew 8 — The Authority of Jesus over Uncleanness, Sickness, Discipleship, Storms, and Demons Romans 12 — Living Sacrifices, Renewed Minds, Humble Service, and Love Without Hypocrisy Romans 14 — Receiving One Another, Honoring the Lord, and Pursuing Peace in Matters of Conscience Romans 15 — Bearing with the Weak, Welcoming One Another, and Paul’s Priestly Mission to the Gentiles Romans 16 — Gospel Partnership, Holy Greeting, False-Teacher Warning, and Doxology to the God Who Establishes Romans 8 — No Condemnation, Life in the Spirit, and the Unbreakable Love of God in Christ
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain