Boldness
Boldness
Boldness (with the allied expressions bold, boldly, to be bold) has several Greek equivalents in the apostolic writings.-(a) In the sense of daring, we find it used to render , to dare, to be bold (2Co 10:2; 2Co 11:21, Php 1:14). The connate adverb in the compar. is used by St. Paul (Rom 15:15). The verb, in composition with the strengthening prep. , is used in Rom 10:20, where has the force of to be very bold.-(b) In the sense of being of good courage it is employed to tender in 2Co 5:6; 2Co 5:8; 2Co 7:16 (Revised Version ; the Authorized Version having confident, confidence in these places). In 2Co 10:1-2, where the same verb is rendered to be bold in Authorized Version , the Revised Version prefers to be of good courage; and similarly we may boldly say of Authorized Version in Heb 13:6 is rendered in Revised Version with Good courage we say. In Act 28:15 occurs in the expression used regarding St. Paul-he thanked God and took courage. and are used in the sense of over-confidence, insolence in Patristic literature in company with such words as , covetousness, and , boastfulness (Didache iii. 9, v. 1).-(c) In the sense of liberty and frankness of speech it is employed to translate and the derived verb . In classical usage ( and ) is the frank and outspoken expression of opinion which was the cherished privilege of Athenian citizenship. In NT usage it denotes the glad and fearless confidence in drawing near to God, and having communion with Him, which is the dearest privilege of the Christian heart (Eph 3:12, Heb 4:16, 1Jn 2:28). It is contrasted with shrinking back from fear or shame (Php 1:20, 1Jn 2:28). In reference to speech, it is plainness and candour without reserve or ambiguity, without parable or metaphor, without hesitation or misgiving, in the utterance of it (Joh 7:13; Joh 11:14; Joh 16:25; Joh 16:29, Act 4:29; Act 13:46 where is used). When it is transferred from words to actions, it appears always to retain the idea of confidence, boldness (Lightfoot on Col 2:15).
The chief usages of the word in the apostolic writers may be given as follows.:
(1) Fearlessness and frankness in the public proclamation of the gospel.-Examples are St. Peter on the day of Pentecost (Act 2:24), St. Peter and St. John before the Council (Act 4:13), and in setting forth Christ to the people (Act 4:29; Act 4:31), St. Paul at Rome preaching to all and sundry (Act 28:31). In this sense is used of Saul at Damascus and Jerusalem (Act 9:27 f.), of St. Paul and Barnabas at Antioch of Pisidia (Act 13:46), of Apollos at Ephesus (Act 18:26), of St. Paul himself at Thessalonica (1Th 2:2; cf. Eph 6:19 f.).
(2) Confidence in prayer and communion with God through Christ.-This is the privilege which St. Paul (Eph 3:12) commends to his readers when he speaks of boldness and access in confidence which are theirs through their faith in Christ. The same fearless confidence is dwelt upon by the writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews (Heb 4:16; Heb 10:19). This joyous confidence in prayer is specially notable in St. Johns First Epistle (1Jn 3:21; 1Jn 5:14). It comes of abiding in Christ (1Jn 2:28), of the presence in the heart of the love which casts out fear (1Jn 4:17 f.), of a clear conscience and an obedient life (1Jn 3:20-23).
(3) Candid speech towards Christian brethren (2Co 7:4, Phm 1:8, and possibly 2Co 3:12, if Chrysostoms interpretation be correct).
(4) Fearless bearing in the Church and before the world acquired through the faithful discharge of duty (1Ti 3:13, Php 1:20).
(5) Fearless confidence at the appearance of Christ and before His judgment seat (1Jn 2:28; 1Jn 4:17-19).-The Scriptural opposite is the shame of the man without the wedding-garment who was speechless (Mat 22:12). Clements words are a good illustration; The good workman takes with boldness the bread which is the reward of labour, but the slothful and the indolent dare not meat the eye of their employer (1 Clem. xxxiv. 1). Cf. also Wis 5:1 : Then [in the judgment] shall the righteous man stand in great boldness before the face of them that afflicted him.
Literature.-D. Russell Scott, article Boldness (Christian) In Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics ii. 785, with lit. [Note: literally, literature.] there cited; also J. H. Jowett, The Transfigured Church, 1910, p. 181.
T. Nicol.
Fuente: Dictionary of the Apostolic Church
Boldness
boldnes (, parresa, confidence, fearlessness, freedom of speech): This was one of the results of discipleship (Act 4:13, Act 4:29, Act 4:31; Eph 3:12; Phi 1:20; 1Ti 3:13; 1Jo 4:17). It was a necessary qualification for the work assigned them. They were not only subject to violent persecutions, but also were the constant subject of ridicule and contempt. Paul uses the word in the sense of plainness in 2Co 3:12. In Heb 10:19; 1Jo 2:28; 1Jo 4:17, it has the sense of freeness resulting from confidence. In Phm 1:8, the reference is to the authority which Paul claims in this case.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Boldness
Of the righteous
Pro 14:26; Pro 28:1; Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; Heb 10:19; Heb 13:6; 1Jn 2:28; 1Jn 4:17
Instances of, in prayer:
– Abraham
Gen 18:23-32
– Moses
Exo 33:12-18 Courage