παῤῥησία
Boldness
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What does παῤῥησία (parrhēsía) mean in the Bible?
παῤῥησία (parrhēsía) is a Greek word meaning "boldness". παρρησία, -ας, ἡ (πᾶς + ῥῆσις, speech) [in LXX; Lev. Jesus' transparent proclamation. This term runs through the canonical themes of Creation, Messiah, Spirit.
Full entry for παῤῥησία (G3954) · Browse the biblical lexicon
Meaning
Freedom from fear to speak truth openly; confidence rooted in absence of intimidation or shame.
(πᾶς + ῥῆσις, speech) [in LXX; Lev.26:13 (μετὰ π., קוֺמְמִיּוּת קוֹמְמִיּוּת), Pro.1:20 10:10, Wis.5:1, al. ;]
Why This Word Matters
Jesus' transparent proclamation. 1 John 2:28-29
Grounds believer access in Christ's blood. 1 John 3:19-24
Characterizes apostolic proclamation in Rome. 1 John 4:17-21
The apostles’ confidence testifies to Spirit-formed courage rooted in Christ rather than personal prestige. 1 John 5:13-17
The believers’ chief request is courage to proclaim Christ clearly despite threats. Acts 28:29-31
Describes fearless standing before Christ rooted in abiding relationship. Acts 4:13-22
Describes fearless access to God grounded in obedient relationship.
John envisions believers standing before Christ with secure assurance rooted in abiding union.
The gospel produces relational boldness before God rather than fearful distance.
Mature love replaces dread with bold assurance before God.
Prayer flows from relational boldness before God.
Canonical Themes
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
New Testament Witnesses
Word Pictures (Robertson)
A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.
A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain