Some theologians have taught of God's determinative will, resulting in action, or predetermined action, that cannot be prevented or thwarted, and of God's permissive or contingent will, that God desires but does not cause or preclude.
If we peruse how "thelo" (G2309) is used, we see that God's inclination is in view, contingent upon our autonomous choice. For example, the old, "if we repent, He will relent" seen in scripture, such as Jonah.
Our word (G2309) is rendered, will, want, desire, wish and the like in about 25 verses. Lets look at just a few.
Mark 6:48 (NASB)
Seeing them straining at the oars—for the wind was against them—at about the fourth watch of the night, He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them.
But when Jesus saw how fearful His disciples were, He did not pass them by, but stopped and got into the boat.
Here God's desire is contingent upon our autonomous choice to trust and obey, but our choice only opens the door to salvation, as God alone determines (or not) to credit our faith as righteousness and transfer us into Christ, where we come to the knowledge of the truth.
On the other hand, God's determinative will is on display many times in scripture.
John 6:39 (NET)
Now this is the will of the one who sent me - that I should not lose one person of every one he has given me, but raise them all up at the last day.
Here another related word (G2307) is rendered will, but in this usage God's determinative will is on full display. Once Saved, Always Saved!
Lastly, lets consider a verse where the same word, "thelema" (G2307) is translated "will" but refers to two different types of wills.
John 6:38 (NASB)
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will , but the will of Him who sent Me.
A far less ambiguous rendering would be, "...not to do My own inclination, but the determinative will of Him who sent Me.
If we peruse how "thelo" (G2309) is used, we see that God's inclination is in view, contingent upon our autonomous choice. For example, the old, "if we repent, He will relent" seen in scripture, such as Jonah.
Our word (G2309) is rendered, will, want, desire, wish and the like in about 25 verses. Lets look at just a few.
Mark 6:48 (NASB)
Seeing them straining at the oars—for the wind was against them—at about the fourth watch of the night, He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them.
But when Jesus saw how fearful His disciples were, He did not pass them by, but stopped and got into the boat.
Here God's desire is contingent upon our autonomous choice to trust and obey, but our choice only opens the door to salvation, as God alone determines (or not) to credit our faith as righteousness and transfer us into Christ, where we come to the knowledge of the truth.
On the other hand, God's determinative will is on display many times in scripture.
John 6:39 (NET)
Now this is the will of the one who sent me - that I should not lose one person of every one he has given me, but raise them all up at the last day.
Here another related word (G2307) is rendered will, but in this usage God's determinative will is on full display. Once Saved, Always Saved!
Lastly, lets consider a verse where the same word, "thelema" (G2307) is translated "will" but refers to two different types of wills.
John 6:38 (NASB)
“For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will , but the will of Him who sent Me.
A far less ambiguous rendering would be, "...not to do My own inclination, but the determinative will of Him who sent Me.
