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ἑκουσίως

hekousíōs

G1596 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

Willingly, of one's own accord, intentionally: describing an action undertaken by choice rather than compulsion, reflecting free will or deliberate intent. Also used to indicate an act not done under obligation or external force, but as a personal, volitional decision.

Semantic Range

willingly, voluntarily, deliberately, intentionally, of one's own accord

Root / Etymology

From ἑκούσιος ('voluntary, intentional, willing'), itself derived from ἑκών ('willing, of free will, gladly'), with the adverbial ending -ως added to form 'in a willing manner.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἑκουσίως appears rarely, with limited attestations in Koine Greek, notably in Hebrews 10:26 and 1 Peter 5:2. In both cases it emphasizes the voluntary nature of the action—deliberately persisting in a choice and willing participation, respectively. Classical Greek used the related adjective ἑκών to contrast with ἄκων ('involuntary, unwilling'), highlighting the actor's own initiative. Standard English translations often render ἑκουσίως as 'willingly' or 'voluntarily,' which adequately capture its principal meaning, though nuances of intentionality or choice can be context-dependent. The term stands in contrast with words denoting necessity or coercion, such as ἀναγκαίως ('necessarily, under compulsion'), and its usage often implies an ethical or moral evaluation; that is, the fact of acting out of willingness versus compulsion may inform the speaker's perspective on responsibility or culpability.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

adverb from the same as ἑκούσιον; voluntarily:--wilfully, willingly.

Root Family

ἑκουσίως (hekousiōs) — to be willing, to choose, to act intentionally

Root ἑκον- to be willing, to choose, to act intentionally

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1596-01 ἑκουσίως ekousios ADV willfully of one's own accord willingly 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1596-01 Hebrews 10:26 ἑκουσίως ekousios ADV willfully of one's own accord willingly
G1596-01 1 Peter 5:2 ἑκουσίως ekousios ADV willingly of one's own accord willingly
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