θέλησις
thélēsis
G2308 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
The act of willing or wishing; the exercise or manifestation of one's will, intention, or desire. In usage, it often emphasizes the actual volition or act of wishing, rather than merely an abstract or habitual will. In some contexts, it signifies purpose or decision as actively carried out.
Semantic Range
act of willing, volition, intention, wish, the process of making a choice, decision, active desire, enacted purpose
Root / Etymology
From the root θέλ- (thel-), related to θέλω ('to will, to wish'). θέλησις is the noun form, derived by adding the suffix -σις, which forms verbal nouns indicating action or process.
Historical & Contextual Notes
θέλησις is a relatively rare noun in Koine Greek, more commonly found in philosophical, ethical, and medical writings to denote the faculty, act, or process of willing or volition. In the broader Hellenistic world, it is sometimes used to contrast with ἐπιθυμία (desire, impulse) by emphasizing rational or conscious will rather than mere appetite. In the Septuagint and New Testament, θέλησις occurs infrequently (e.g., Luke 23:25; Ephesians 1:5, 1:9), typically signifying an act or decision of will, often attributed to divine volition. English translations often render θέλησις as 'will,' but this can risk flattening the nuance between the inner disposition ('desire,' 'wish') and the formulated, enacted will ('volition,' 'purpose'). Distinct from θέλημα, which may denote a broader or more general will, θέλησις especially underscores the action or exercise of will.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from θέλω; determination (properly, the act), i.e. option:--will.
Root Family
θέλησις (thélēsis) — act of willing, volition, intention, determination, wish
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2308-01 |
θέλησιν | thelesin | N ACC F SG |
will | act of willing | will | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2308-01 |
Hebrews 2:4 | θέλησιν | thelesin | N ACC F SG |
will | act of willing | will |