The word purpose likely didn’t have quite the psychologically loaded meaning that it has for us today. Still, there may be much to be said about not wandering or being tossed from side to side. The Bible does discuss intentionality, planning, and setting forth a purpose.
There are two words in Hebrew which are often translated as purpose (or something similar). The Hebrew word מַחֲשָׁבָה (Machashabah) generally refers to thoughts, plans, or intentions. It’s what you see in Jeremiah 29:11 when God speaks of the “plans” that he has for his exiled people. This word refers back to the more focused and internal thoughts that somebody would have. It’s imagining a future and devising a plan. The word עֵצָה (‘Etsah) is a little more relational and advisory. This is perhaps looking for counsel and strategic planning. In Isaiah 46:10, God says that His ’etsah will stand.
In Greek, we now have the words πρόθεσις (Prothesis) and βουλή (Boulē). Prothesis typically refers to God’s preordained plan. It emphasizes that God has laid out the plan well prematurely of an motion going down. This is the word utilized in Romans 8:28 and Ephesians 1:11. Boulē is analogous and, the truth is, also makes an appearance in Ephesians 1:11,
“In him we now have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined in accordance with the aim (prothesis) of him who works all things in accordance with the counsel (boulē) of his will.”
This word might be used of the divine decision making or the human process. Think of prothesis like a blueprint and boulē as the entire thoughtful and purposeful decision making that’s within the background of constructing that blueprint.
When the Bible talks about purpose, it is often about God’s purpose. God is purposeful in creation (Psalm 139:13-16), and He is purposeful in the brand new creation (Romans 8:28). God has a purpose in calling us (2 Timothy 1:9), and each motion is leading us to the achievement of God’s everlasting purpose that we see come to fruition in Revelation 21. We are called to live in accordance with God’s purpose.
If we mix these two concepts, we will now consider what it means, in accordance with Scripture, to walk with purpose.
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