θέλειν

thelein

to will

apparently strengthened from the alternate form of αἱρέομαι; to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas 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:--desire, be disposed (forward), intend, list, love, mean, please, have rather, (be) will (have, -ling, - ling(-ly)).

G2309

Philippians 2:13 · Word #10

Lexicon G2309

Lemmaθέλω
Transliterationthélō
Strong'sG2309
In-contextto will
Literalto-will

Morphology V PRS ACT INF All morphology codes

Part of Speech V — Verb — An action or state of being
Tense PRS — Present — Ongoing or repeated action
Voice ACT — Active — The subject performs the action
Mood INF — Infinitive — The verbal idea without person/number

Lexical Info

Lemmaθέλω
Strong'sG2309

SIBI-P1 G2309-12

to be willing/choosing

Rootθέλω (thelō)
Core Meaningsto will, to desire, to choose, to intend, to prefer, to be inclined toward
Semantic Rangeto will, to desire, to wish, to intend, to choose, to prefer, to be disposed toward, to delight in; in some contexts, to be about to (imminent intention)
Conceptual Significanceθέλω highlights deliberate volition and inward determination. In biblical theology it frequently marks human intention in contrast with divine will, and when used of God it underscores purposeful, active resolve rather than passive inclination, shaping discussions of obedience, desire, and divine intention.
Morphological NotesVerb, present, active, infinitive (Gr,V,NPA). The present tense conveys continuous or characteristic action; active voice indicates the subject performs the willing; infinitive expresses the verbal idea abstractly, often as purpose, result, or complementary action.
Rendering RationaleThe present active infinitive expresses an ongoing or characteristic act of the will. "To be willing/choosing" preserves the root sense of active, self-determined volition while reflecting the present tense (ongoing aspect) and active voice of the infinitive form.

AI-generated (openai/gpt-5.2-chat-latest)

Words from Root θέλω (to will, to desire, to choose, to intend, to prefer, to be inclined toward)

SILEX Code Transliteration SIBI-P1
G2309-01 ethelen he/she was willing
G2309-02 etheles you were willing
G2309-03 ethelesa I was willing

Word Usage (208 occurrences of G2309)

Location Form Transliteration Meaning
Matthew 1:19 θέλων thelon willing
Matthew 2:18 ἤθελεν ethelen would
Matthew 5:40 θέλοντί thelonti