What does θέλημα · θεός mean in the Bible?
e. (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination".
Greek · G2307, G2316
θέλημα
Will/desire · God
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Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
θέλημαG2307will/desire
Pronunciationthélēma
God's will as the objective content of what He ordains, not merely subjective desire or preference
Open lexicon entry →θεόςG2316God
Pronunciationtheós
The definite article marks God as the one true God; anarthrous form emphasizes His divine nature or character.
Open lexicon entry →What does θέλημα (thélēma) mean in the Bible?
θέλημα · θεός is a Greek phrase meaning "a determination (properly, the thing), i.e. (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination".
Full entry for θέλημα (G2307, G2316) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for G2307, G2316?
G2307, G2316 is connected to 62 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Greek phrase. a determination (properly, the thing), i.e. (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination
Source Gloss
a determination (properly, the thing), i.e. (actively) choice (specially, purpose, decree; abstractly, volition) or (passively) inclination
Extended definition
:-- desire, pleasure, will.
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
This word appears as a noun across 5 case and number patterns. The form changes show how the word functions in a sentence; they do not change the basic lexical meaning by themselves.
Form patterns5Aligned forms62Case patternAccusative (28)Number patternSingular (60)
Nominative · Singular · NeuterMatt 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 3:1714×
Genitive · Singular · NeuterJohn 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 1:114×
Dative · Singular · NeuterLuke 23:25 · Rom 1:10 · Col 4:12 · Heb 10:10 · 1 Pet 4:2 · 2 Pet 1:216×
Accusative · Singular · NeuterMatt 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 10:726×
Accusative · Plural · NeuterActs 13:22 · Eph 2:32×
Sampled Scripture Occurrences
Representative Scripture witnesses for this entry: passage, original form, and sense in context.
New Testament Witnesses
God’s desired purpose
Word Origins
θέλημα is built from this root:
Why This Word Matters
Defines the believer’s new governing aim in contrast to former passions.1 Peter 4:1-6