αὐθάδης (authadēs)
authadēs
self-willed
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective authadēs describes a person who is self-willed or arrogant, literally meaning "self-pleasing." It characterizes an attitude that prioritizes one’s own desires and opinions above all else, often resulting in stubbornness. In the New Testament, this term appears only twice, both times as part of a serious warning about dangerous character traits within the community of believers.
In Titus 1:7, church leaders are described as not being autodelektos (self-pleasing), using authadēs to highlight the kind of pride that disqualifies someone from shepherding others. Similarly, 2 Peter 2:10 lists it among the behaviors of false teachers who despise authority and speak abusively. The word’s root combines "self" with a sense of pleasure or delight, suggesting these individuals are driven by their own satisfaction rather than obedience to God.
Translators typically render authadēs as "self-willed," capturing the essence of someone who refuses to be guided by external authority. This term serves as a stark contrast to the humility required for spiritual leadership and faithful living, marking it as a significant descriptor of rebellious pride in early Christian ethics.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word authadēs describes a heart that has turned inward, prioritizing personal desire over divine wisdom. It captures the spirit of stubborn independence, where an individual refuses guidance from God or legitimate authority. This trait is not merely about having strong opinions; it is a deep-seated arrogance that places one’s own will above all else, creating barriers to humility and community.
In Titus 1:7, this quality is explicitly listed as disqualifying for church leaders. A shepherd cannot guide others if they are driven by self-pleasing impulses rather than obedience to God. Similarly, 2 Peter 2:10 associates this attitude with false teachers who despise authority and speak abusively against those in power. The text presents this not as a minor flaw, but as a dangerous character defect that undermines spiritual integrity.
Reflecting on this word invites us to examine our own hearts. Do we resist correction because we value our own judgment above God’s? The call is toward humility, recognizing that true strength lies in submission to God’s will and respect for the structures He has established. Let us pray for a spirit that is teachable and gentle, rather than one that is rigid and self-centered.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- self-willed,2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- αὐθάδη,1×
- αὐθάδεις,1×
Key Verses
-
Titus 1:7
For the overseer must be blameless, as God’s steward, not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain;
This verse explicitly excludes the self-willed trait from the qualifications of a church overseer, linking it directly to the failure of being God’s steward.
-
II Peter 2:10
but chiefly those who walk after the flesh in the lust of defilement and despise authority. Daring, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries,
Here the term describes false teachers who combine arrogance with a disregard for authority, showing how self-will leads to abusive speech against dignitaries.