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προθύμως

prothýmōs

G4290 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

With eagerness or readiness; in a willing, enthusiastic, or zealous manner. Denotes acting with a prompt and positive spirit, showing an active willingness to undertake a task or respond to a request. Can also in some contexts connote being forward or quick to act due to readiness.

Semantic Range

willingly, with eagerness, with zeal, with readiness, enthusiastically, with promptness, ardently

Root / Etymology

Derived from the adjective πρόθυμος (prothymos, 'willing, eager, ready'), itself formed from πρό ('before, in front of') and θυμός ('spirit, passion, desire'). Thus, προθύμως is the adverbial form, meaning 'in a willing or eager way.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

Attested in classical and Hellenistic Greek with the sense of actively or ardently willing. Used to describe both practical readiness and internal disposition (e.g. 'readily, gladly, enthusiastically'). In the New Testament (e.g., Mark 14:38; Matt 26:41), the word highlights contrasting states between eager desire and human weakness. While English translations often render προθύμως as 'willingly' or 'readily,' the term conveys more than passive acquiescence; it implies active engagement or enthusiasm. In the Septuagint and other Koine literature, the term maintains the same sense and stands in contrast to reluctance or hesitation. English renderings such as 'zealously,' 'with promptness,' or 'with readiness of mind' may better capture its force in some contexts.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

adverb from πρόθυμος; with alacrity:--willingly.

Root Family

προθύμως (prothymōs) — eagerly, willingly, readily, zealously

Root προθυμ- to be eager, to be willing, to be ready

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4290-01 προθύμως prothumos ADV eagerly with eager readiness eagerly 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4290-01 1 Peter 5:2 προθύμως prothumos ADV eagerly with eager readiness eagerly
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