The Two Wills of God: Desire (Boulē) vs. Decree (Thelēma) 📜
The New Testament uses two primary Greek words for “will,” and understanding their difference clarifies the two distinct ways God operates in the world, particularly in matters of salvation and end-time events.
1. The Will of Desire: Thelēma (θϵˊλημα)
- Meaning: This is the most common Greek word for “will.” It refers to a wish, desire, inclination, or preference. It often represents God’s moral will—what He desires to happen.
- Theological Focus: Thelēma represents God’s revealed command for how humans ought to live, which can be resisted (e.g., Jesus commanding us to do the Father’s thelēma). It also describes His gracious disposition: “God desires (thelēma) all people to be saved” (1 Timothy 2:4). This will is not always fulfilled in the present world due to human choice.
- The Human Interaction: We are commanded to submit our will to God’s thelēma.
Thelēma is God’s desire and moral command.
2. The Will of Decree: Boulē (βουληˊ)
- Meaning: This word refers to a counsel, resolution, purpose, or fixed, immutable plan. It is a deliberate, determined decree that cannot be thwarted.
- The Shocking Tie: Boulē describes God’s sovereign, foreordained plan for salvation history and the ultimate end of all things. The death of Christ, for instance, occurred “according to the definite plan and foreknowledge (boulē) of God” (Acts 2:23). This will is always fulfilled.
- The End-Time Application: The final, decisive events—Christ’s return, the binding of Satan, the resurrections, and the final judgment—are all expressions of God’s unchangeable boulē. These events are not dependent on human repentance or resistance; they are scheduled and guaranteed by God’s eternal counsel.
The Eschatological Conclusion
The final days are the ultimate confrontation between the two wills:
- God’s Desire (Thelēma) is for every person to repent before Christ’s return, and He holds back judgment to grant time for this will to be realized.
- However, God’s Decree (Boulē) ensures that regardless of human response, the prophetic clock will strike, and His fixed, eternal plan for redemption and judgment will be executed perfectly.
The ultimate shocking truth is that while the world may think it is resisting God’s plan, it is only resisting His Thelēma (His desire for their salvation); it is unconsciously fulfilling His immutable Boulē (His plan for judgment).
The Return Question
If God’s ultimate plan is governed by His unchangeable Boulē (Decree), what specific anxiety or fear concerning the future are you entertaining today that implies you doubt the perfect, sovereign certainty of God’s eternal, foreordained plan?