epithumia denotes a desire or craving, most often one to resist, though it can express an earnest aim toward a good end.

The dominant use names desires portrayed as fleshly, worldly, deceptive, or leading people toward temptation, sin, and corruption. In a small group of verses, it expresses an intense, directed longing to see others, share a meal, or depart to be with Christ.

1. Fleshly, worldly, or self-directed cravings · dominant

   The plural forms occur with desires that are to be resisted or renounced: in Romans 13:14 the APB renders a warning not to provide for the flesh so as to gratify "its desires," and in 1 Peter 2:11 it renders fleshly desires as waging war against the soul. In James 1:14 and James 1:15, the singular form is part of the sequence in which a person's own desire entices and then gives birth to sin; in Mark 4:19, plural desires enter with cares and the deceit of riches and choke the word.

   Romans 13:141 Peter 2:11James 1:14James 1:15Mark 4:19Galatians 5:16
2. Earnest longing toward a stated goal · rare

   In 1 Thessalonians 2:17, the dative singular occurs in the clause about being eager to see the recipients' face "with great desire." Luke 22:15 uses the same dative singular form in the stated longing to eat the Passover lamb before suffering, while Philippians 1:23 has the accusative singular in the desire to depart and be with Christ.

   1 Thessalonians 2:17Luke 22:15Philippians 1:23

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly uses "desire" or "desires," and in particular contexts uses "lust," "passions," or "cravings" within the verse's wider wording. These variations indicate the clauses' presentation rather than fixed separate renderings of the lemma.