Willingness
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Definition and Concept
Willingness, in a biblical context, refers to the readiness and eagerness to act or respond positively to God's commands, guidance, and the needs of others. It is an attitude of the heart that aligns with God's will, demonstrating a voluntary and cheerful disposition to serve and obey.

Biblical Examples and Teachings
Willingness is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, often highlighted as a virtue that God desires in His people. It is closely associated with obedience, faith, and love.

1. Abraham's Willingness: Abraham exemplifies willingness in his readiness to obey God's command to sacrifice his son Isaac. In Genesis 22:1-3 , Abraham's immediate response to God's call demonstrates his trust and submission: "Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, 'Abraham!' 'Here I am,' he answered. 'Take your son,' God said, 'your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.' So Abraham got up early the next morning, saddled his donkey, and took along two of his servants and his son Isaac."

2. The Israelites' Willingness in Giving: In Exodus 35:21 , the Israelites show willingness in their contributions for the construction of the Tabernacle: "Everyone whose heart stirred him and whose spirit prompted him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments." This passage highlights the importance of a willing heart in giving and serving God.

3. David's Willingness to Serve: King David's willingness to serve God is evident in his preparations for the building of the Temple, even though he was not the one to construct it. In 1 Chronicles 28:9 , David advises Solomon, "As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought."

4. Jesus' Willingness to Sacrifice: The ultimate example of willingness is found in Jesus Christ, who willingly laid down His life for humanity. In John 10:17-18 , Jesus states, "The reason the Father loves Me is that I lay down My life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of My own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from My Father."

Theological Significance
Willingness is a reflection of a heart transformed by God's grace. It is not merely about external compliance but involves an internal readiness to align one's desires with God's purposes. In Philippians 2:13 , Paul writes, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose." This indicates that willingness is both a divine gift and a human responsibility.

Practical Implications
Believers are encouraged to cultivate a willing spirit in their relationship with God and others. This involves being open to God's leading, ready to serve, and eager to give. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 , Paul emphasizes the importance of willingness in giving: "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver."

Conclusion
Willingness is a vital aspect of the Christian life, reflecting a heart that is responsive to God's call and committed to His service. It is an expression of love, faith, and obedience, demonstrating a life surrendered to the will of God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) The quality or state of being willing; free choice or consent of the will; freedom from reluctance; readiness of the mind to do or forbear.
Greek
4352. proskuneo -- to do reverence to
... the heavenly Bridegroom). While this is true, 4352 () suggests the willingness
to make all necessary physical .]. Word Origin from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4352.htm - 10k

4288. prothumia -- eagerness
... prothumia Phonetic Spelling: (proth-oo-mee'-ah) Short Definition: inclination,
readiness Definition: inclination, readiness, eagerness, willingness, promptness ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4288.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew
2974. yaal -- to show willingness, be pleased, determine ...
... to show willingness, be pleased, determine, undertake (to do anything). Transliteration:
yaal Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-al') Short Definition: willing. ...
/hebrew/2974.htm - 6k
Library

Ears to Hear are a Willingness to Obey.
... A Treatise on the gift of perseverance, Chapter 37."Ears to Hear are a
Willingness to Obey. Although, therefore, we say that obedience ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 37 ears to hear are.htm

Examples from Scripture to Prove the Lord's Willingness to Pardon.
... Chapter VIII."Examples from Scripture to Prove the Lord's Willingness
to Pardon. This if you doubt, unravel [8489] the meaning ...
/.../tertullian/on repentance/chapter viii examples from scripture to.htm

Lord Jesus, Cause Me to Know in My Daily Experience the Glory and ...
... To prevent any discouragement in praying He lays as a basic principle the fact of
God's great fatherly willingness"that God's willingness to answer our ...
/.../bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter xiii lord jesus cause.htm

Obedience
... If ye be willing and obedient.' Isaiah 1:19. Though we serve God with weakness,
it may be with willingness. ... Willingness is the soul of obedience. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 1 obedience.htm

The Covenant of Grace
... "Thy people shall be a willing people:' Psalm 110: a people of willingness.'
Heb. This spontaneity and willingness is from the attractive ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the covenant of grace.htm

Perseverance Proved.
... as has been said, it is most manifest that the apostles expected to persevere and
be saved only because they believed in the ability and willingness of God to ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlix perseverance proved.htm

A Very Old Question.
... But He does nothing without our consent. He has been hindered in His purposes by
our lack of willingness. ... Our willingness checkmates Satan's opposition. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/a very old question.htm

The Crowning Test and Triumph of Faith
... First, it is conceivable that God should test a man's willingness to surrender what
is most precious to him, and what all his hopes are fixed on; and this ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the crowning test and triumph.htm

Three Tests of Love
... to him as only a few days. The amount of our love to God is proved by our
willingness to serve him. If there is in us a disposition ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk fifty-three three tests of.htm

"There is Therefore Now no Condemnation to them which are in ...
... Christ answers thee in express terms; "whosoever will, let him take and drink freely."
Thou declarest thy willingness in so speaking; and he declares his ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon ii there is therefore.htm

Thesaurus
Willingness (3 Occurrences)
... readiness of the mind to do or forbear. Multi-Version Concordance Willingness
(3 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 8:11 and now also finish ...
/w/willingness.htm - 7k

Will (64996 Occurrences)
... Thus, in first person, I will denotes willingness, consent, promise; and when will
is emphasized, it denotes determination or fixed purpose; as, I will go if ...
/w/will.htm - 13k

Ahinadab (1 Occurrence)
... a-hin'-a-dab ('achinadhabh, "brother of willingness," or, "my brother is willing"):
Decidedly the ordinary use of the stem nadhabh is to denote willingness...
/a/ahinadab.htm - 7k

Earnest (33 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 8:12 For, assuming the earnest willingness, the gift is acceptable
according to whatever a man has, and not according to what he has not. (WEY). ...
/e/earnest.htm - 20k

Willing-offering (6 Occurrences)
Willing-offering. Willingness, Willing-offering. Willing-offerings . ... Willingness,
Willing-offering. Willing-offerings . Reference Bible.
/w/willing-offering.htm - 8k

Willingly (27 Occurrences)

/w/willingly.htm - 14k

Volition
... and boulomai, the difference between the two being that thelo expresses an active
choice or purpose, boulomai, "passive inclination or willingness, or the ...
/v/volition.htm - 11k

Offer (403 Occurrences)
... With the infinitive as an objective: To make an offer; to declare one's willingness;
as, he offered to help me. 4. (vt) To attempt; to undertake. ...
/o/offer.htm - 39k

Willed (13 Occurrences)
... Philemon 1:14 and apart from thy mind I willed to do nothing, that as of necessity
thy good deed may not be, but of willingness, (YLT). ...
/w/willed.htm - 10k

Importunity (1 Occurrence)
... God's willingness to give exceeds our ability to ask. The parable teaches by way
of contrast, not by parallel. David Foster Estes. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/i/importunity.htm - 7k

Resources
What does it mean to wait on the Lord? | GotQuestions.org

Since God withholds forgiveness, can we? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Noble Eightfold Path? | GotQuestions.org

Willingness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Willingness (3 Occurrences)

2 Corinthians 8:11
and now also finish doing 'it', that even as 'there is' the readiness of the will, so also the finishing, out of that which ye have,
(See NIV)

2 Corinthians 8:12
For, assuming the earnest willingness, the gift is acceptable according to whatever a man has, and not according to what he has not.
(WEY NIV)

Philemon 1:14
but I have wished to do nothing without thy mind, that thy good might not be as of necessity but of willingness:
(DBY YLT)

Subtopics

Willingness

Related Terms

Willing-offerings (2 Occurrences)

Willingness (3 Occurrences)

Freely (101 Occurrences)

Enlarged (21 Occurrences)

Dwarfed (3 Occurrences)

Pleasing (185 Occurrences)

Sanctified (105 Occurrences)

Willingly
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