"promptness, readiness, eagerness of mind, willingness, Acts 17:11; 2 Cor. 8:11, 12, 19; 9:2*"
Definition and meaning
promptness, readiness, eagerness of mind, willingness, Acts 17:11; 2 Cor. 8:11, 12, 19; 9:2*
In the original Greek the word is written: προθυμία
Historical context
The Roman Empire provided infrastructure no previous civilization had built — roads, sea routes, a common language in Greek, and relative peace across the Mediterranean. Jewish synagogues existed in every major city, giving Paul a starting point everywhere he traveled. The early church had no buildings, no political power, no social standing — and spread faster than any movement in ancient history.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of prothumia (G4288) across the King James Bible.
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:
For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.
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Common questions
Strong's G4288 (prothumia) is a Greek word that means: promptness, readiness, eagerness of mind, willingness, Acts 17:11; 2 Cor. 8:11, 12, 19; 9:2* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word prothumia (G4288) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4288 is prothumia, a Greek word defined as: promptness, readiness, eagerness of mind, willingness, Acts 17:11; 2 Cor. 8:11, 12, 19; 9:2*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
prothumia is a Greek word found in the New Testament.