θέλησις (thelēsis)
thelēsis
will
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun thelēsis refers to the act or faculty of willing, essentially meaning "will" as a power of choice. Derived from the verb thelō, it appears only once in the New Testament, in Hebrews 2:4. In this context, it describes the divine will behind the signs and wonders performed by the apostles.
While often translated simply as "will," the term carries the nuance of a deliberate decision or purposeful intent. The sources note its usage in the Septuagint to translate Hebrew words like ratzon (pleasure) and chepec (desire), suggesting it encompasses both the desire for something and the resolution to act on it. This distinguishes it from mere impulse, pointing instead to a settled intention.
Its singular occurrence highlights its theological weight in affirming that miraculous works were not random events but flowed from God’s specific purpose. By linking these signs to the "will" of God, the text emphasizes the authority and intentional design behind the early church's message.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word thelēsis points to a deliberate, settled intention rather than a fleeting whim. In Hebrews 2:4, it describes the divine will behind the signs and wonders performed by the apostles. This means that the miraculous works of the early church were not random events but flowed from God’s specific purpose.
For your faith, this offers deep comfort. It assures you that God is actively involved in history and in your life through His Spirit. The gifts and signs mentioned are not chaotic but are guided by a loving and intentional Creator who desires to testify to the truth of the gospel.
When you encounter unexpected blessings or challenges, remember that they fall under this same purposeful will. You are part of a story written with care, where every detail serves a greater good according to His design.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- θέλησιν.1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 2:4
God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders, by various works of power, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will?
This verse uniquely uses thelēsis to ground the authority of apostolic signs in God's deliberate purpose rather than random power.