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MOR-Bible, which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, grace to you and peace from God our Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and us. We thank God always for the body of Christ, the born-again believers, that you Father would count us worthy of your calling and fulfill all the good pleasure of your goodness. We pray that we may be one with you and your son the Lord Jesus Christ in fellowship. We pray that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in us, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

In the September 2023 teaching, we traced, tracked, and searched in God's Word the Greek word teleios translated into our English word "perfect." We also reviewed the root word telos which is defined as "an end, a toll" to see from where the Greek word teleios originated. This review reminded us that we must forget those things that are in the past and press toward the mark for the prize of the upper calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect (teleios), be thus minded (see Philippians 3:15)! There is one thing that I understand and that is that the Word of God is the Will of God. When God's Word is rightly divided, it will fill the need of everyone in the body of Christ!

In this month's teaching, we will trace, track, and search in God's Word the Greek word theléma translated into our English word "will" and its root word thelo in Romans 12:2. Because there are 209 usages of the Greek root word thelo, we will break this teaching into two parts over the next two months. Part 1 (October) will review some of the usages of the Greek root word thelo. Part 2 (November) will look at some of the usages of the Greek word theléma which originated from the root word thelo which translates into our English word "will."
Romans 12:2:

And be not conformed [by the five senses information] to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind [to God's revealed Word], that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will [the Greek word thelema] of God.

Note: The sources for all Greek-English words are Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, The Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament (Bullinger), Young's Analytical Concordance to the Bible, The Word Study Concordance by George V. Wigram and Ralph D. Winter, and Webster's Desk Dictionary of the English Language.

Part 1 will review some of the usages of the Greek root word thelo to see from where the Greek word thelema originated. The root Greek word thelo is defined as "to will, wish, mean." There are (209) usages. The Greek language has influenced numerous words in the English language. Root words, especially those from other languages, tell us a lot about how a language evolved, how it is related to other languages, and what major historical influences caused it to change. Root words carry most of the meaning, and by learning them, we can better understand the whole language. The word "root" comes from the Greek word "rhiza," which means "a root, shoot, source; that which comes from the root, a descendant." The word "rhizome" is derived from the same Greek word and refers to a horizontal underground stem of a plant that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes.

We will review the first usage of the Greek root word thelo in the Bible, the usages in Acts and usages in the church Epistles (Romans and Thessalonians), and then the last usage. I exhort you to read all 209 usages to open your understanding of the usages of the Greek word thelo. We will bold the English word for thelo in the verses for emphasis. The first usage is documented in Matthew 1:19. We will read verse 18 for context. Matthew 1:18-19:

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of [Greek word ek - by] the Holy Ghost (God).

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing [thelo - to will, wish, mean] to make her [Mary] a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

Acts 2:12 has the next usage of thelo. To better understand the usage, we will need to read Acts 2:1-11 as they set the context for the usage. Remember, it is important to understand the context or the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, so that the usage can be fully understood and assessed.

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they [the twelve Apostles] were all with one accord in one place.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind [heavy breathing], and it filled [the Greek word pléroó - to make full, to complete] all the house where they were sitting.

In verse 2, we see that the twelve apostles were born-again. Let's continue with Acts 2: 3-4:

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

And they were all filled [the Greek word pletho - filled to overflowing] with the Holy Ghost [holy spirit], and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit (God) gave them utterance.

The twelve apostles manifested the evidence of the gift of holy spirit that was in them for all to see and hear by speaking in tongues! What an incredible truth! Let's continue with Acts 2: 5-11:

And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews [Judeans], devout men, out of every nation under heaven.

Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

And they [the multitude] were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?

Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,

Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews [Judeans] and proselytes,

Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

Based on these verses, speaking in tongues is the wonderful works of who? God!

Don't you want to do the wonderful works of God? Then speak in tongues!

Now that we have the context, the next usage of thelo appears in Acts 2:12:

And they [the multitude] were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth [thelo - will, wish, mean] this? [See May 2016 teaching]

Acts 26:5 has the next usage of the thelo; we will read verses 1-4 for context.

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:

I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews [Judeans].

Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews [Judeans]: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews [Judeans];

Which knew me from the beginning, if they [Judeans] would [thelo - will, wish, mean ] testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

Next, let's look at the usages of thelo in Romans. Once again, our purpose in this teaching is to understand thelema or "will" as documented in Romans 12:2 by understanding the root work thelo, Romans: 1:13:

Now I would [thelo] not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

Romans 7:14-21 has several usages of thelo. This will be the next set of verses we will read. Remember the thelo translates into "- to will, wish, mean."

For we know that the law is spiritual: but I [Paul] am carnal, sold under sin.

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would [thelo], that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.

If then I do that which I would [thelo] not, I consent unto the law that it is good.

Now then it is no more I [Paul] that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will [thelo] is present with me; but [in contrast] how to perform that which is good I find not.

In verses 14-18, Paul is speaking about his flesh and not about the gift of holy spirit in him! This is important to understanding thelo or Paul's "will or wish." Let's continue with Romans 7:19-22.

For the good that I would [thelo] [in my flesh] I do not: but the evil which I would [thelo] not, that I do.

Now if I do that I would [thelo] not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me [in my flesh].

I find then a law, that, when I would [thelo] [in my flesh] do good, evil is present with me.

For I [Paul] delight in the law of God after the inward [inner] man [the gift of holy spirit].

You and I must renew our minds to delight in the law of God after the inward man. This should be our thelo or "will, wish" to delight in the gift of holy spirit, within each of us! To better understand Paul's "will or wish," look at Ephesians 3:16:

That he [God] would grant you, according to the riches of his [God's] glory, to be strengthened with might by his [God's] Spirit in the inner man [gift of holy spirit].

It is written in Romans 8:2:

For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath [present truth] made me free from the law of sin and death.

Let's continue with our review of thelo in the Church Epistles. Turn to Romans 16:19-20.

For [brethren] your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would [thelo] have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

The God of what? Peace! Here we are told we are to be wise about what is good and simple concerning evil. How do we do this? By reading and understanding God's Word!

Now let's look at the next usages of thelo in 1Thessalonians. We will start with 1 Thessalonians: 2:17-18:

But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.

Wherefore we would [thelo] have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us. [See October 2019 teaching].

Who hindered them? Satan. How did Satan hinder them? Through people doing Satan's will. The learning here is that we are hindered by Satan from visiting our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. But we always have them in our hearts and endeavor more abundantly to see their faces with great desire!

1 Thessalonians 4:13 has the next usage of thelo.

But I would [thelo] not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. [See December 2019 teaching].

The word "would" in this verse or thelo means to will, wish, mean. God's Will and wish is that we are not ignorant or void of understanding concerning (regarding) them which are asleep in the body of Christ. This is a figure of speech to tenderize a harsh reality. It compares death to sleep. In other words, God's Word teaches us that death is sleep! Even in this figure of speech, God's Word is truthful. Death is the hardest thing there is in this life. The Bible tells us in 1 Thessalonians 4:16:

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

Turn to 2 Thessalonians: 3:10 for the next usage of thelo.

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would [thelo] not work, neither should he eat. [See May 2020 teaching].

In this verse, the phrase if any would not work, neither should he eat is a saying or proverb declaring a universal truth that if a person does not work, they should not eat. It focuses on the need to eat in order to live. Thus, the need to work. See May 2020 teaching for more discussion on this.

The last usage of thelo is documented in Revelation 22:17.

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will [thelo], let him take the water of life freely.

The first and last usages of thelo apply to Israel, not to the body of Christ. We read these verses for our learning (see Romans 15:4). In the Christ administration or the Kingdom of heaven, the church is called the bride of Christ (see Romans 15:8). In the Grace administration, the church is called the body of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 12:27).

Let's look at the first usage and last usage of thelo together.

Matthew 1:19:

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing [thelo - to will, wish, mean] to make her [Mary] a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

Revelation 22:17.

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will [thelo], let him take the water of life freely.

In this month's teaching, we traced, tracked, and searched in God's Word the root Greek word thelo to see from where the Greek word thelema originated as documented in Romans 12:2. We have learned that the root Greek word thelo is defined as "to will, wish, mean." There are (209) usages. We reviewed the first usage, the usages in Acts and usages in the church Epistles, and then the last usage. We learned that the apostles spoke in tongues after they were born-again.

We were reminded again that God's Will or wish or thelo is not have us to be ignorant about our brothers and sisters who are asleep so that we do not sorrow as others which have no hope (see 1Thessalonians 4:13). Additionally, we were instructed in 2 Thessalonians: 3:10 that if anyone would or thelo not work neither should they eat.

Remember, the purpose of looking at thelo is to better understand the Greek word thelema in Romans 12:2. Root words carry most of the meaning, and by learning them, we can better understand the whole language and the meaning of their usage in God's Word.
The word "root" comes from the Greek word "rhiza,", which means "a root, shoot, source; that which comes from the root, a descendant." The word "rhizome" is derived from the same Greek word and refers to a horizontal underground stem of a plant that sends out roots and shoots from its nodes.

We will continue Part 2 of this teaching in November where we will trace, track, and search God's Word for the usages of the Greek word theléma as documented in Romans 12:2. Based on our understanding of thelo from this month's teaching, we will see that theléma is translated into our English word "will" and defined as " intensive desire of God, active volition, wish, desire; determination, willpower, resolve, drive, motivation, pleasure."

We thank God our Father for His Word that reminds us to speak in tongues and delight after the inward man of His gift of holy spirit. Father, we are confident of this very thing that you which has begun an excellent work in us will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. And this we pray that our love in the body of Christ may abound more in knowledge and in all judgment. We pray that we may approve things that are excellent and that we may be sincere and without offense until the day of Christ. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

In the Lord,

Ministry of Reconciliation
Son of God through Jesus Christ
Ambassador for Christ

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