from θέλω; determination (properly, the act), i.e. option:--will.
Transliteration:thélēsis
Pronunciation:thel'-ay-sis
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun G2308 (θέλησις, *thélēsis*) derives from the verb G2309 (θέλω, *thelō*), which means "to will," "to wish," "to desire," or "to choose." As a noun, thelesis signifies the act of willing, the result of willing, or the object of one's will. It denotes a deliberate choice, purpose, or determination. Unlike a mere passive wish, thelesis implies an active inclination or resolve, often carrying the weight of authority or power behind the expressed will. It refers to a settled intention or decision that is meant to be carried out. In English translations, it is most frequently rendered as "will."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Thelesis appears 12 times in the New Testament, with its usage predominantly referring to the "will of God."
* **Divine Will:**
* [[John 1:13]] contrasts human birth with spiritual birth: "who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." Here, thelesis highlights that spiritual regeneration is solely by divine initiative, not human desire or natural means.
* In several Pauline epistles, Paul asserts his apostleship as being "by the will of God" ([[1 Corinthians 1:1]], [[Ephesians 1:1]], [[Colossians 1:1]], [[2 Timothy 1:1]]). This emphasizes that his calling and ministry are not self-appointed but divinely ordained and authorized.
* [[Romans 15:32]] expresses Paul's desire to visit Rome "so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company," demonstrating his submission to God's sovereign direction over his plans.
* [[2 Corinthians 8:5]] commends the Macedonian churches for their sacrificial giving, noting they "gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us," indicating their actions were aligned with God's purpose.
* Crucially, [[Hebrews 10:9]] and [[Hebrews 10:10]] speak of Christ's obedience to the Father's will: "Then he added, 'Behold, I have come to do your will.' He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." This passage underscores that Christ's atoning sacrifice was the direct fulfillment of God's determined salvific purpose, and it is through this divine thelesis that believers are sanctified.
* [[1 Peter 4:2]] exhorts believers "so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God," calling for a life transformed and aligned with God's determined purpose for His people.
* **Human Will:**
* As noted in [[John 1:13]], thelesis is used to describe the "will of the flesh" and "will of man," contrasting these with the divine will. This usage highlights the limitations and fallen nature of human desire when separated from God.
The consistent usage of thelesis in the New Testament, especially in reference to God, points to His sovereign, purposeful, and salvific determination, to which humanity is called to submit.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **G2309 (thelō):** The verb "to will" or "to desire," from which thelesis is derived. Understanding the active nature of the verb helps to grasp the dynamic and purposeful quality of the noun.
* **G1014 (boulē):** "Counsel," "purpose," "plan." While thelesis emphasizes the active determination or the expression of will, boulē often refers to the deeper, deliberative plan or resolve that precedes the execution of the will. God's boulē might be His eternal, foundational design, while His thelesis is the specific outworking or expression of that design in time.
* **G4291 (prothesis):** "Purpose," "plan," "setting forth." Similar to boulē, it denotes a pre-determined design or intention, often with an emphasis on God's eternal purpose.
* **Obedience:** The concept of obedience is intrinsically linked to thelesis, especially when referring to God's will. To "do the will" of God ([[Hebrews 10:9]]) is to obey His commands and align one's life with His purposes.
* **Sovereignty:** When applied to God, thelesis profoundly underscores His absolute sovereignty, His ultimate authority, and His effective control over all things, bringing His purposes to fruition.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of thelesis is profound, particularly in its application to God.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Purpose:** The predominant phrase "the will of God" (ἡ θέλησις τοῦ Θεοῦ) underscores God's ultimate authority and His active, purposeful involvement in all aspects of creation, redemption, and human history. His will is not a mere wish but an effective determination that accomplishes His divine plan.
* **Christ's Obedience and Atonement:** Thelesis is central to understanding the mission of Jesus Christ. His entire life, culminating in His sacrificial death, was an act of perfect obedience to the Father's will ([[Hebrews 10:9-10]]). This obedience is the very foundation of our sanctification and atonement, demonstrating that salvation is fully rooted in God's determined purpose.
* **Human Response and Sanctification:** Believers are called to discern and live in accordance with God's thelesis ([[1 Peter 4:2]]). This involves a transformative process where the human will is brought into alignment with the divine purpose, moving away from self-centered desires ([[John 1:13]]) towards a life dedicated to God. Sanctification is presented as a direct result of God's will being accomplished through Christ and lived out by believers.
* **Election and Divine Calling:** The repeated assertion in Pauline epistles that Paul's apostleship is "by the will of God" highlights the divine initiative in the calling and equipping of individuals for service within God's redemptive plan. This points to a deeper truth of divine election and calling in salvation.
* **Contrast with Fallen Human Will:** The distinction made in [[John 1:13]] between the "will of the flesh" and "will of man" versus the "will of God" emphasizes the limitations and fallenness of the human will when it operates independently of God. True spiritual birth and life are not products of human desire or effort but flow solely from God's sovereign determination.
### Summary
G2308 (thelesis) signifies a "will," "purpose," or "determination," stemming from the verb "to will" (G2309). In the New Testament, its primary usage refers to the sovereign and purposeful "will of God." This divine thelesis is the active, determined force behind creation, redemption, and the sanctification of believers. It highlights God's ultimate authority and His effective accomplishment of His salvific plan, supremely demonstrated through the obedient sacrifice of Jesus Christ. For humanity, thelesis serves as a profound call to align one's life with God's divine purpose, moving beyond self-centered desires towards a life of submission and obedience to the Lord's authoritative and beneficent will. The concept is deeply intertwined with divine sovereignty, Christ's perfect obedience, and the believer's call to sanctification.
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