αὐθαίρετος (authairetos)
authairetos
self-chosen
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective authairetos describes something that is self-chosen or done of one’s own accord. It combines roots meaning "self" and "to choose," pointing to an action that springs entirely from personal will rather than external pressure. In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, both within Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians.
Paul uses it to highlight the genuine freedom of his companions. He notes that Titus welcomed the Corinthian believers willingly, and he describes how other brothers served the church with eager, voluntary spirit (2 Corinthians 8:3, 17). The term underscores that their service was not coerced but flowed from a willing heart.
By using authairetos, Paul distinguishes between compelled obedience and joyful generosity. The word carries theological weight by affirming that God values offerings made freely, reflecting the character of Christ who gave Himself willingly.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word authairetos describes actions that spring from a willing heart rather than external pressure. In 2 Corinthians, Paul uses it to highlight how Titus and other brothers served the church with genuine freedom. Their generosity was not forced but flowed from personal choice.
This reminds us that God values offerings made freely. When we serve or give out of our own accord, we reflect the character of Christ who gave Himself willingly. It is a beautiful picture of joyful obedience.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of his own accord1×
- [they were] willing of themselves,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- αὐθαίρετος1×
- αὐθαίρετοι,1×
Key Verses
-
II Corinthians 8:3
For according to their power, I testify, yes and beyond their power, they gave of their own accord,
Paul uses this term to testify that the Macedonian believers gave beyond their power, showing their generosity was a voluntary act of grace.
-
II Corinthians 8:17
For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord.
The word describes Titus's earnest desire to help, emphasizing that his service came from his own initiative rather than mere obligation.