Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:Boldness, in a biblical sense, refers to the courage and confidence to act or speak in accordance with God's will, often in the face of opposition or danger. It is a quality that is both commanded and commended in Scripture, reflecting a deep trust in God and a commitment to His purposes.
Old Testament Examples:In the Old Testament, boldness is often associated with leaders and prophets who stood firm in their faith. One notable example is Joshua, who was encouraged by God to be "strong and courageous" as he led the Israelites into the Promised Land (
Joshua 1:9). Similarly, the prophets, such as Elijah and Jeremiah, displayed boldness in proclaiming God's messages despite facing hostility and persecution.
New Testament Teachings and Examples:The New Testament further emphasizes boldness, particularly in the context of the early church. The apostles, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke the word of God with boldness (
Acts 4:31). The Apostle Paul is a prime example of boldness in the New Testament. Despite numerous hardships, he continued to preach the gospel fearlessly, as seen in his letters and missionary journeys. In
Ephesians 6:19-20, Paul requests prayer for boldness to proclaim the gospel: "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given to me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should" .
Theological Significance:Boldness is rooted in faith and the assurance of God's presence and power.
Hebrews 4:16 encourages believers to "approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" . This confidence is not self-derived but is a result of the believer's relationship with Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Practical Application:Christians are called to exhibit boldness in their daily lives, whether in sharing their faith, standing up for righteousness, or living out their convictions. This boldness is not reckless or arrogant but is characterized by humility and love. It involves speaking the truth in love (
Ephesians 4:15) and being prepared to give an answer for the hope that is within (
1 Peter 3:15).
Challenges to Boldness:Believers may face various challenges to boldness, including fear of rejection, persecution, or societal pressure. However, Scripture reassures that God has not given a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-discipline (
2 Timothy 1:7). The early church's prayer for boldness in
Acts 4:29-31 serves as a model for believers today, demonstrating reliance on God's strength to overcome these challenges.
Conclusion:While boldness is a divine attribute imparted to believers, it requires continual reliance on God and His Word. Through prayer, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and the support of the Christian community, believers can cultivate and maintain boldness in their walk with Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The state or quality of being bold.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BOLDNESSbold'-nes (parresia, "confidence," "fearlessness," "freedom of speech"): This was one of the results of discipleship (Acts 4:13, 29, 31Ephesians 3:12Philippians 1:201 Timothy 3:131 John 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 in2 Corinthians 3:12. InHebrews 10:191 John 2:28;1 John 4:17, it has the sense of freeness resulting from confidence. InPhilemon 1:8, the reference is to the authority which Paul claims in this case.
Jacob W. Kapp
Greek
3954. parresia -- freedom of speech, confidence... parresia Phonetic Spelling: (par-rhay-see'-ah) Short Definition: freedom, confidence
Definition: freedom, openness, especially in speech;
boldness, confidence.
...5111. tolmao -- to have courage, to be bold
... Word Origin from tolma (boldness) Definition to have courage, to be bold NASB Word
Usage am...bold (1), bold (2), courageous (1), dare (4), dared (1), gathered...
2292. tharreo -- to be of good courage
... cheer. Cognate: 2292 (a later form of 2293 , "to showboldness," see
dictionary) -- to show courage (boldness). See 2293 (). Word...
662. apotolmao -- to be very bold
... to be very bold. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apotolmao Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-ot-ol-mah'-o) Short Definition: I assumeboldness Definition: I assume...
2293. tharseo -- to be of good courage
... derived from 2294 , " from within") -- properly, bolstered which supports unflinching
courage -- literally, to (exude "socialboldness") because -hearted....
993. Boanerges -- Boanerges, an epithet applied to the two sons of...
... We don't know why Jesus named these brothers (James, John), "sons of tumult,"
but their passion andboldness in the past no doubt !...
3955. parresiazomai -- to speak freely or boldly
... Word Origin from parresia Definition to speak freely or boldly NASB Word Usage
confidence (1), had theboldness (1), speak out boldly (1), speak boldly (1...
4302. prolego -- to say beforehand, ie to predict
... Gal 5:21; 1 Thes 3:4). To this by () requires us to have a holyboldness to share
an important opinion (judgment) to warn or prepare someone....
2294. tharsos -- courage
... courage. Akin (by transposition) to thrasos (daring);boldness (subjectively) --
courage. (tharsos) -- 1 Occurrence. 2293, 2294. tharsos. 2295 ....
Strong's Hebrew
5797. oz -- strength, might... strength (53), strong (16), stronghold (2).
boldness, loud, might, power,
strength, strong. Or (fully) rowz {oze}; from azaz; strength
...Library
Of theBoldness of Speech of the Decurion of Beroea.
... Book III. Chapter XVII."Of theboldness of speech of the decurion of Beroea. After
starting with these threats he was put down by one single Beroean....
Of John'sBoldness for God.
... Book V. Chapter XXVIII."Of John'sboldness for God. When the great John
had received the tiller of the Church, he boldly convicted...
On Receiving this Epistle, Archelaus was Astonished at the Man's...
... 41 On receiving this epistle, Archelaus was astonished at the man'sboldness.? On
receiving this epistle, Archelaus was astonished at the man'sboldness....
Of the Fact that Opposite Powers are not of the SameBoldness, and...
... Chapter XX. Of the fact that opposite powers are not of the sameboldness, and
that the occasions of temptation are not under their control....
Concerning the Arians; and Further, the Success of Eunomius....
... Book VII. Chapter VI."Concerning the Arians; and Further, the Success of
Eunomius.Boldness of St. Amphilochius toward the Emperor....
Basil Becomes Bishop of C??sarea after Eusebius; hisBoldness...
... Book VI. Chapter XVI."Basil becomes Bishop of C??sarea after Eusebius;
hisBoldness towards the Emperor and the Prefect. Some...
Concerning the Cunning of Leontius, Bishop of Antioch, and the...
... Book II. Chapter XIX."Concerning the cunning of Leontius, Bishop of Antioch,
and theboldness of Flavianus and Diodorus. At Antioch...
Of Artemius the Duke. Of Publia the Deaconess and Her Divine...
... Book III. Chapter XIV."Of Artemius the Duke. Of Publia the Deaconess and her
divineboldness. Artemius [640] commanded the troops in Egypt....
Of the Massacre of Thessalonica; theBoldness of Bishop Ambrosius...
... Book V. Chapter XVII."Of the massacre of Thessalonica; theboldness of Bishop
Ambrosius, and the piety of the Emperor. Thessalonica...
Paul and his Requests for Prayer (Continued)
... fully. He desired them to pray that he might haveboldness. No quality seems
more important to the preacher than that ofboldness....
Thesaurus
Boldness (25 Occurrences)... (n.) The state or quality of being bold. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BOLDNESS.
... Jacob W. Kapp. Multi-Version Concordance
Boldness (25 Occurrences).
...Confidence (103 Occurrences)
... 8:22, etc.; hupostasis ("what stands under"), in 2 Corinthians 11:17 Hebrews 3:14
2 Corinthians 9:4; parrhesia ("out-spokenness," "boldness") is invariably...
Bold (21 Occurrences)
... NIV). 2 Corinthians 3:12 Having therefore such a hope, we use greatboldness
of speech, (Root in WEB ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV). 2 Corinthians...
Assurance (16 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Excess ofboldness; impudence; audacity; as, his assurance is intolerable....
(Hebrews 10:21, 22; compare Hebrews 10:19, "boldness to enter....
Boldly (26 Occurrences)
... were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they
spoke the word of God withboldness. (See NIV). Acts 9...
Dare (19 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To challenge; to provoke; to defy. 4. (n.) The quality of daring;
venturesomeness;boldness; dash. 5. (n.) Defiance; challenge....
Approach (56 Occurrences)
... this chariot. (DBY). Ephesians 3:12 in whom we haveboldness and access in
confidence through our faith in him. (See NIV). 1 Timothy...
Courage (74 Occurrences)
... That quality of mind which enables one to encounter danger and difficulties with
firmness, or without fear, or fainting of heart; valor;boldness; resolution....
Speech (107 Occurrences)
... (ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV). 2 Corinthians 3:12 Having therefore such a hope,
we use greatboldness of speech, (WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT NAS)....
Tongues (67 Occurrences)
... The tongues of flame signified the power of speech,boldness of utterance, and
persuasiveness which from henceforth were to mark the testimony of the disciples...
Resources
What does the Bible say about boldness? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the Parable of the Friend in Need (Persistent Neighbor)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about passivity / being passive? | GotQuestions.orgBoldness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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