A. VERBS 1. epithumeo (ejpiqumevw, 1937), ardently desire; emphasizes the inner impulse rather than the desired object. It is translated longing in 1Pe 1:12, “longing to look at the angels.” See LONGING, COVETING, WISHING. 2. epipotheo (ejpipoqevw, 1971), to yearn deeply (intensive form of potheo, to yearn for; not found in NT). It is translated: The Spirit “longs for us” (Jam 4:5 “covets”, KJV); “desiring” (2Co 5:2, KJV, KJV); “love” (9.14; RV: “want”; VM: “have burning affection”); “I love you” (Phi 1:8, KJV, KJV; VHA: “I have desires”); “he had a great desire” (2.26, RV, RVR); “desiring” (1Th 3:6, KJV, KJV); “desiring” (2Ti 1:4, KJV, KJV); “longs” (Jam 4:5, KJV; KJV: “covets”); “desire” (1Pe 2:2, KJV, KJV). See LOVE, DESIRE.¶ 3. orego (ojrevgw, 3713), reach or extend towards. It is used only in the middle voice, signifying the mental effort to reach out for something, or yearn for this something, emphasizing the desired object (cf. No. 2). It is translated “long for” in 1Ti 3:1 (ESV; ESV: “desires”); Heb 11:6 (KJV; KJV: “desired”). A proper translation of this passage would be “persecuted.” In 1Ti 6:10 it is rendered “coveting” (KJV, KJV; VM: “aspiring”). See COVETING.¶ B. Names 1. apokaradokia (ajpokaradokiva, 603), primarily watch with outstretched head. It means an intense expectation, an eager longing, indicating how the head is stretched out in longing expectation for something from a certain place (Rom 8:19; Phi 1:20). The prefix apo suggests “abstraction and absorption” (Lightfoot); that is, an abstraction from anything else that might attract attention, and absorption in the expected object “until fulfillment is reached” (Alford). The character of this name is intensive. In Rom 8:19 it is said figuratively of the creation eagerly waiting for the revelation of the sons of God (“wait” translates the verb apekdecomai, intensified form of ekdecomai, (see WAIT). In Phi 1:20 the apostle affirms that it is his “burning longing,” and hope, that instead of being put to shame, Christ will be magnified in his body, “either by life, or by death,” suggesting absorption in the person of Christ, and abstraction from all that hinders. BURNING.¶ 2. eudokia (eujdokiva, 2107), lit.: goodwill (eu, good; dokeo, seem) Implies a graceful purpose, with a good object in sight, with the idea of a resolution, exhibiting the willingness with which the resolution has been made Frequently translated as “good will” (eg, Luk 2:14; Phi 1:15; 2.13, KJV, KJV); “please” (Mat 11 :26, Luk 10:21, lit.: “it was to your liking”, KJV, KJV); “pure affection” (Eph 1:5, KJV, KJV; VHA: “pleasure”); “purpose” (2Th 1 :11, RVR; RV: “nice try”; V M: “complacency”). As longing is translated in Rom 10:1, “the longing” of my heart; “the will” (RV). In Mat 11:26 it is used of God: “good will”; in Luk 2:14, of “men with whom He is pleased”, lit., “men of good will”; construction is objective. See AFFECT, PLEASE, GOOD (WILL), PURE, WILL (GOOD).¶
Source: Vine New Testament Dictionary