Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of being "unwilling" is addressed in various contexts throughout the Bible, often highlighting the human tendency to resist God's will or commands. This resistance can manifest in disobedience, reluctance to follow divine instructions, or a general hesitance to embrace God's plans.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the Israelites frequently demonstrated an unwillingness to obey God's commands, despite witnessing His mighty works. A notable example is found in the narrative of the Exodus. After being delivered from slavery in Egypt, the Israelites repeatedly showed reluctance to trust and obey God. In
Exodus 16:28 , the Lord questions Moses, "How long will you refuse to keep My commandments and instructions?" This reflects a broader theme of human unwillingness to submit to divine authority.
The prophets also addressed the issue of unwillingness. In
Isaiah 30:15 , the Lord declares, "In repentance and rest you will be saved; in quietness and trust is your strength. But you were unwilling." Here, the unwillingness of the people to rely on God is highlighted as a barrier to receiving His salvation and strength.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, Jesus encounters unwillingness in various forms. In
Matthew 23:37 , Jesus laments over Jerusalem, saying, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!" This passage underscores the persistent resistance of the people to accept Jesus' message and His desire to offer them protection and salvation.
The parable of the wedding banquet in
Matthew 22:1-14 also illustrates unwillingness. In this parable, those invited to the king's banquet refuse to come, symbolizing the rejection of God's invitation to His kingdom.
Matthew 22:3 states, "He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come." This refusal represents a broader unwillingness to accept God's grace and participate in His kingdom.
Theological ImplicationsThe theme of unwillingness in the Bible often serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of resisting God's will. It highlights the importance of obedience, faith, and submission to God's authority. The unwillingness to follow God's commands can lead to spiritual stagnation, missed blessings, and ultimately, judgment.
In contrast, willingness to submit to God is portrayed as a virtue. The Bible encourages believers to cultivate a heart that is open and responsive to God's leading.
Romans 12:1-2 urges believers to present themselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, and to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. This transformation involves a willingness to discern and follow God's will.
Practical ApplicationFor believers today, the biblical theme of unwillingness serves as a reminder to examine their own hearts and attitudes towards God's commands. It challenges individuals to consider areas in their lives where they may be resisting God's guidance and to seek a spirit of willingness and obedience. Through prayer, study of Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, believers can cultivate a heart that is eager to follow God's will and embrace His plans for their lives.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Not willing; loath; disinclined; reluctant; as, an unwilling servant.
Greek
210. akon --unwilling...unwilling. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: akon Phonetic Spelling:
(ak'-ohn) Short Definition:
unwilling Definition:
unwilling, generally used where
...1014. boulomai -- to will
... to will NASB Word Usage am (1), desire (2), desires (1), desiring (1), intend (1),
intended (3), intending (1), like (1), planned (1),unwilling* (1), want (7...
2309. thelo -- to will, wish
... 4), desiring (2), intended (1), intending (1), like (3), maintain (1), mean (1),
mean* (2), please (1), purposed (1), refused* (1),unwilling* (11), want (52...
1483. ethnikos -- as a Gentile
... 1482 , "a Gentile," a ) -- to live as a non-Israelite, ie as a ; someone who fails
short of being a full member of the Jewish nation becauseunwilling to live...
506. anupotaktos -- not subject to rule
... 506 (from 1 "not" and 5273 , " God's ") -- properly, not submissive; disobedient
(unruly),unwilling to come under Christ's Lordship; refusing to "fall in line...
3756. ou, ouk, ouch -- not, no
... 2), number (1), number* (2), only* (5), rather (2), rather than (1), refrain (1),
refused* (1), than* (2), unable* (6), unaware* (3),unwilling* (12), unworthy...
Strong's Hebrew
3808. lo -- not... 7), unproductive* (1), unpunished* (1), unreliable* (1), unsearchable* (1), unsown*
(1), unsparing* (1), untrained* (1), unvented* (1),
unwilling* (3), unwise
...2550. chamal -- to spare
... 1), have pity (4), have...pity (1), mercy (1), ruthlessly* (1), show pity (1), spare
(11), spared (5), spares (2), sparing (5), unsparing* (1),unwilling (1)....
3986. maen -- refusing
... Word Origin from maen Definition refusing NASB Word Usage refuse (3). refuse. From
ma'en;unwilling -- refuse. see HEBREW ma'en. 3985, 3986. maen. 3987 ....
14. abah -- to be willing, to consent
... root Definition to be willing, to consent NASB Word Usage consent (5), obey (1),
refuse* (1), refused* (1), satisfied (1),unwilling* (3), want (1), willing (23...
Library
I amUnwilling to Go on to Handle Again what Cyprian Poured Forth....
... Book V. Chapter 25. " 36. I amunwilling to go on to handle again what
Cyprian poured forth? "36. I amunwilling to go on...
Christ Acted for Our Advantage in BeingUnwilling to Reveal the...
... Christ acted for our advantage in beingunwilling to reveal the day of judgment.?...
208. But we ask for what reason He wasunwilling to state the time....
But as to the Argument of those Men who areUnwilling that Their.....
... A Treatise Chapter 5. " 19. But as to the argument of those men who
areunwilling that their? "19. But as to the argument...
If Certain Clerics Advanced by their Own Bishops are Supercilious...
... Canon XXXI. (Greek xxxiv.) If certain clerics advanced by their own bishops are
supercilious, let them not remain whence they areunwilling to come forth....
"Give Heed unto Me," the Church Says unto You; Give Heed unto Me...
... 7. "Give heed unto me," the Church says unto you; give heed unto me, whom
ye see, although to see ye beunwilling. For the faithful...
Whether the Husband, Being Converted to the Faith, May Remain with...
... OF WORSHIP AS AN IMPEDIMENT TO MARRIAGE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the husband, being
converted to the faith, may remain with his wife is she beunwilling to be...
The Shifts to which Hermogenes is Reduced, who Deifies Matter, and...
... Chapter VI."The Shifts to Which Hermogenes is Reduced, Who Deifies Matter, and
Yet isUnwilling to Hold Him Equal with the Divine Creator....
To what Straits Hermogenes Absurdly Reduces the Divine Being He...
... For He either was able to correct it, but wasunwilling; or else was willing,
but being a weak God, was not able. If He was able...
Baxter -- Making Light of Christ and Salvation
... God hath showed that He is notunwilling; and Christ hath showed that He is not
unwilling that men should be restored to God's favor and be saved; but men are...
John i. 11
... For He will have nounwilling, no forced domestic, but all of their own
will and choice, and grateful to Him for their service....
Thesaurus
Unwilling (30 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not willing; loath; disinclined; reluctant; as, an
unwilling servant. Multi-Version Concordance
Unwilling (30 Occurrences).
...Merciful (53 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Disposed to pity and spare offenders;unwilling
to punish. 2. (a.)Unwilling to give pain; compassionate. Int....
Testaments
... Mantinea. But the new power was soon crushed Philip of Macedon, who was
thereupon chosen general leader by theunwilling Greeks....
Between (2624 Occurrences)
... Mantinea. But the new power was soon crushed Philip of Macedon, who was
thereupon chosen general leader by theunwilling Greeks....
Willing (152 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Matthew 22:3 and sent his servants to call the invited guests to the
wedding, but they wereunwilling to come. (Root in WEY YLT NAS)....
Yearns (8 Occurrences)
... they have nothing to eat. I amunwilling to send them away hungry, lest
they should faint on the road." (WEY). Mark 8:2 "My heart...
Kind-hearted (3 Occurrences)
... Matthew 1:19 But Joseph her husband, being a kind-hearted man andunwilling publicly
to disgrace her, had determined to release her privately from the betrothal...
Unwholesome (1 Occurrence)
Unwillingly (1 Occurrence)
Obed-edom (16 Occurrences)
... Because of the sudden death of Uzzah, David wasunwilling to proceed with the Ark
to his citadel, and it remained three months in the house of Obed-edom, "and...
Resources
What does it mean that the one who is unwilling to work shall not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the doctrines of grace? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a Congregational Church / Congregationalism? | GotQuestions.orgUnwilling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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