Strong's Greek · G2309

θέλω

thélō

desire, be disposed (forward), intend, list, love, mean, please, have rather, (be) will (have, -ling, - ling(-ly))

Definition

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 (βούλομαι) properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations), i.e. choose or prefer (literally or figuratively); by implication, to wish, i.e. be inclined to (sometimes adverbially, gladly); impersonally for the future tense, to be about to; by Hebraism, to delight in

Derivation

apparently strengthened from the alternate form of G138 (αἱρέομαι);

Appears 208 times in Scripture

Matthew 5:40

if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well;

Mark 7:24

Jesus left that place and went to the region of Tyre. Not wanting anyone to know He was there, He entered a house, but was unable to escape their notice.

Matthew 1:19

Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.

Matthew 2:18

“A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Matthew 21:29

‘I will not,’ he replied. But later he changed his mind and went.

Matthew 8:2

Suddenly a leper came and knelt before Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Matthew 7:12

In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 8:3

Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Matthew 5:42

Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Luke 5:13

Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.

Explore thélō in Scripture

On the Doxa App you can have a personal interaction about any Scripture, original words included.

Lexicon: Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (James Strong, 1890, public domain), digital edition by Open Scriptures (CC BY-SA). Verse mappings: Berean Standard Bible interlinear tables (public domain).

Doxa, Engage God's Encouragement

God's encouragement is not only for the moment you first receive it. It's for the whole journey.

Strong's concordance data derived from the Open Scriptures (CC BY-SA) Hebrew and Greek lexicons. Scripture quotations are from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB) © 2016, 2020 by Bible Hub. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

© 2026 The Doxa Way Ltd

Get the Doxa app