Dr. Couch, what is the difference between the Greek words thelema, thelo, and thelesis? Are the differences simply that some are nouns and others verbs, or is there more to it?
ANSWER: All three words are from the same family root word and idea: will. As
with English, sometimes the idea is to wish, to intend, to desire, to
want. For example, in 1 Timothy 2:4 the Lord says that He desires
(thelo) that all men be saved. We know that He has not willed that all
are saved! Again, as in English, the word will can be part of a verb,
such as: "I will go to town."
I know that your question is prompted by wanting to understand the issue
of man’s will vs. God’s will! Does man have a will or not? I can argue
two ways: (1) He does not have a will, because of the fact that he is so
influenced by sin, the world, circumstances, his own genetics, etc. He
is dead in sin and in trespasses, and is by nature a child of wrath! (2)
He has a will but it is God who directs that will to do what He wishes.
Take your choice. It all comes out the same, either way!
Paul writes that "God ‘willed’ to make known what are the riches of the
glory of this mystery [the church]" (Col. 1:27). In other words we would
not know of grace apart from His "willing" such knowledge.
Two most interesting passages on the subject: John 1:12-13; Phil. 2:13.
In John 1:12 the cause of belief is found in verse 13: "who were born
not of blood (blood line), nor of the will (determined plan) of the
flesh, nor of the will (the act of willing) of man, but who are born of
God." If one believes it is because he is born again by the sovereign
work of the Lord.
The great old scholar E. W. Hengstenberg says of John 1:13: "Because of
the fall and its influence upon the flesh, man does not come to God by
natural generation. He is incapable of the higher life unless he is
regenerated of God."
From the Greek text of Philippians 2:13 we read: "For it is God who is
the one working in you even to the Willing/Desiring and to the
performing [doing] concerning [in regard to] [His] good plans." He makes
us willing and willing to do what He directs to be done!
Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch
