What does βούλομαι · πλουτέω mean in the Bible?
βούλομαι · πλουτέω: Deliberate choice reflecting one's considered purpose, unlike θέλω's immediate desire or impulse
Greek · G1014, G4147
βούλομαι
To plan · to be (or become) wealthy (literally or figuratively)
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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
βούλομαιG1014to plan
Pronunciationboúlomai
Deliberate choice of will between alternatives, stronger volition than θέλω
Open lexicon entry →πλουτέωG4147to be (or become) wealthy (literally or figuratively)
Pronunciationploutéō
Wealth accumulation used metaphorically for spiritual abundance or self-sufficiency before God.
Open lexicon entry →What does βούλομαι (boúlomai) mean in the Bible?
βούλομαι · πλουτέω: Deliberate choice reflecting one's considered purpose, unlike θέλω's immediate desire or impulse
Full entry for βούλομαι (G1014, G4147) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for G1014, G4147?
G1014, G4147 is connected to 37 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Greek phrase. Deliberate choice reflecting one's considered purpose, unlike θέλω's immediate desire or impulse
Source Gloss
to "will," i.e. (reflexively) be willing
Extended definition
Deliberate choice reflecting one's considered purpose, unlike θέλω's immediate desire or impulse
:--be disposed, minded, intend, list, (be, of own) will (-ing).
Grammatical Forms
How mood, tense, and voice shift the force of this verb in context.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups4Aligned forms37TensesPresent, Imperfect, AoristVoicesMiddle, Passive
Tenses
Voices
Participleverbal adjective — the action as a modifying quality13×
Present MiddleMark 15:15 · Acts 12:4 · Acts 22:30 · Acts 23:28 · Acts 27:43 · 2 Cor 1:17 · Heb 6:17 · 2 Pet 3:9 · Acts 18:27 · Acts 19:30 · 1 Tim 6:9 · 3 John 1:1012×
Aorist PassiveJas 1:181×
Indicativestates a fact or reality20×
Present MiddleActs 18:15 · Phil 1:12 · 1 Tim 2:8 · 1 Tim 5:14 · Titus 3:8 · Jude 1:5 · John 18:39 · Acts 5:28 · 1 Cor 12:11 · Jas 3:4 · Luke 22:42 · Acts 17:2012×
Imperfect MiddleActs 25:22 · 2 Cor 1:15 · Phlm 1:13 · Acts 5:33 · Acts 28:18 · Acts 15:376×
Aorist PassiveMatt 1:19 · 2 John 1:122×
Subjunctivepossibility, probability, or purpose3×
Present MiddleMatt 11:27 · Luke 10:222×
Aorist PassiveJas 4:41×
Optativewish or remote possibility1×
Present MiddleActs 25:201×
Discourse Aspect
How this verb appears across 37 occurrences in the NT discourse index (MACULA Greek SBLGNT).
Aspect
Tense
present27imperfect6aorist4
Voice
middle33passive4
Mood
indicative20participle13subjunctive3optative1
NT Occurrences
Matthew 1:19ἐβουλήθηaorist passive indicativecompletedMatthew 11:27βούληταιpresent middle subjunctivesubjunctiveMark 15:15βουλόμενοςpresent middle participleparticipleLuke 10:22βούληταιpresent middle subjunctivesubjunctiveLuke 22:42βούλειpresent middle indicativeongoingJohn 18:39βούλεσθεpresent middle indicativeongoingActs 5:28βούλεσθεpresent middle indicativeongoingActs 5:33ἐβούλοντοimperfect middle indicativebackgroundActs 12:4βουλόμενοςpresent middle participleparticipleActs 15:37ἐβούλετοimperfect middle indicativebackgroundActs 17:20βουλόμεθαpresent middle indicativeongoingActs 18:15βούλομαιpresent middle indicativeongoingActs 18:27βουλομένουpresent middle participleparticipleActs 19:30βουλομένουpresent middle participleparticipleActs 22:30βουλόμενοςpresent middle participleparticipleActs 23:28βουλόμενόςpresent middle participleparticipleActs 25:20βούλοιτοpresent middle optativeoptativeActs 25:22Ἐβουλόμηνimperfect middle indicativebackgroundActs 27:43βουλόμενοςpresent middle participleparticipleActs 28:18ἐβούλοντοimperfect middle indicativebackground1 Corinthians 12:11βούλεταιpresent middle indicativeongoing2 Corinthians 1:15ἐβουλόμηνimperfect middle indicativebackground2 Corinthians 1:17βουλόμενοςpresent middle participleparticiplePhilippians 1:12βούλομαιpresent middle indicativeongoing1 Timothy 2:8Βούλομαιpresent middle indicativeongoing1 Timothy 5:14βούλομαιpresent middle indicativeongoing1 Timothy 6:9βουλόμενοιpresent middle participleparticipleTitus 3:8βούλομαίpresent middle indicativeongoingPhilemon 1:13ἐβουλόμηνimperfect middle indicativebackgroundHebrews 6:17βουλόμενοςpresent middle participleparticipleJames 1:18βουληθεὶςaorist passive participleparticipleJames 3:4βούλεταιpresent middle indicativeongoingJames 4:4βουληθῇaorist passive subjunctivesubjunctive2 Peter 3:9βουλόμενόςpresent middle participleparticiple2 John 1:12ἐβουλήθηνaorist passive indicativecompleted3 John 1:10βουλομένουςpresent middle participleparticipleJude 1:5βούλομαιpresent middle indicativeongoing
Aspect reflects grammatical form — not authorial emphasis. Participles and infinitives are verbal adjectives and nouns respectively.
Clause data: MACULA Greek (Clear Bible, CC BY 4.0) · SBLGNT (Logos/SBL, CC BY 4.0)
Sampled Scripture Occurrences
Representative Scripture witnesses for this entry: passage, original form, and sense in context.
New Testament Witnesses
Deliberate craving for wealth.
Word Origins
βούλομαι is a primary verb - no further derivation.
Why This Word Matters
It is the willful craving for riches that entangles believers spiritually.1 Timothy 6:3-10