Lexical Summary parrésia: Boldness, confidence, openness, plainness Original Word: παρρησία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance boldness, confidenceFrom pas and a derivative of rheo; all out-spokenness, i.e. Frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance -- bold (X -ly, -ness, -ness of speech), confidence, X freely, X openly, X plainly(-ness). see GREEK pas see GREEK rheo HELPS Word-studies 3954 parrhēsía (from 3956 /pás, "all" and rhēsis, "a proverb or statement quoted with resolve," L-S) – properly, confidence (bold resolve), leaving a witness that something deserves to be remembered (taken seriously). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pas and rhésis (speech) Definition freedom of speech, confidence NASB Translation boldness (4), boldness in...speech (1), confidence (13), confidently (1), openly (2), openness (1), plainly (5), public (1), publicly (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3954: παρρησίαπαρρησία, παρρησίας, ἡ (πᾶν and ῤῆσις; cf. ἀρρησια silence, καταρρησις accusation, πρόρρησις prediction); 1. freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech (Euripides, Plato, Demosthenes, others): ἡ παρρησία τίνος, Acts 4:13; χρῆσθαι παρρησία, 2 Corinthians 3:12; παρρησία adverbially — freely: λαλεῖν, John 7:13, 26; John 18:20; — openly, frankly, i. e. without concealment: Mark 8:32; John 11:14; — without ambiguity or circumlocution: εἶπε ἡμῖν παρρησία (Philemon 1, Meineke edition, p. 405), John 10:24; — without the use of figures and comparisons, opposed to ἐν παροιμίαις: John 16:25, and R G in 29 (where L T Tr WH ἐν παρρησία); ἐν παρρησία, freely, Ephesians 6:19; μετά παρρησίας, Acts 28:31; εἶπεν, Acts 2:29; λαλεῖν, Acts 4:29, 31. 2. free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance, (1 Macc. 4:18; Wis. 5:1; Josephus, Antiquities 9, 10, 4; 15, 2, 7; (cf. Winer's Grammar, 23)): Philippians 1:20 (opposed to αἰσχύνεσθαι, cf. Wiesinger at the passage); ἐν πίστει, resting on, 1 Timothy 3:13, cf. Huther at the passage; ἔχειν παρρησίαν εἰς τί, Hebrews 10:19; πολλή μοι (ἐστι) παρρησία πρός ὑμᾶς, 2 Corinthians 7:4; of the confidence impelling one to do something, ἔχειν παρρησία with an infinitive of the thing to be done, Philemon 1:8 (Test xii. Patr., test. Rub. 4); of the undoubting confidence of Christians relative to their fellowship with God, Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 3:6; Hebrews 10:35; μετά παρρησίας, Hebrews 4:16; ἔχειν παρρησίαν, opposed to αἰσχύνεσθαι to be covered with shame, 1 John 2:28; before the judge, 1 John 4:17; with πρός τόν Θεόν added, 1 John 3:21; 1 John 5:14. 3. the deportment by which one becomes conspicuous or secures publicity (Philo de victim. offer. § 12): ἐν παρρησία, before the public, in view of all, John 7:4 (opposed to ἐν τῷ κρύπτω); John 11:54 (without ἐν); Colossians 2:15 (where cf. Lightfoot). Parrēsia denotes the unmistakable freedom to speak, act, and approach without fear—whether before people or before God. The New Testament consistently treats this quality as a gift of grace rooted in Christ’s work and animated by the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ Exhibiting Parrēsia The Gospels show the pattern. “He spoke this word openly” (Mark 8:32). He answered requests for clarity—“tell us plainly” (John 10:24)—and affirmed, “I have spoken openly to the world” (John 18:20). His transparent speech revealed the Father (John 16:25) and provided the model for apostolic proclamation. Apostolic Preaching and Mission The Book of Acts links Spirit-filling with public boldness. After Pentecost Peter declared, “Brothers, I can speak to you with confidence” (Acts 2:29). Threatened apostles prayed, “Grant that Your servants may speak Your word with complete boldness” (Acts 4:29); the answer came as “they spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31). Paul’s missionary summary is identical: “preaching the kingdom of God… with all boldness and without hindrance” (Acts 28:31). New Covenant Hope and Boldness “Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold” (2 Corinthians 3:12). The unveiled glory of the new covenant produces outspoken witness. In Colossians 2:15 Christ “made a public spectacle” of hostile powers, freeing believers from intimidation. Parrēsia in Prayer and Access to God “Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16). This confidence flows from the blood of Jesus, granting “boldness to enter the Most Holy Place” (Hebrews 10:19). In Him “we have boldness and confident access through faith” (Ephesians 3:12). Such assurance shapes petition: “This is the confidence that we have before Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). Pastoral Courage and Church Leadership Paul could exhort Philemon “though in Christ I could be bold and order you” (Philemon 8) yet choose appeal. He claimed “great boldness on your behalf” (2 Corinthians 7:4) and requested prayer “that I may proclaim it boldly” (Ephesians 6:19). Deacons who serve well “gain great boldness in the faith” (1 Timothy 3:13), showing that parrēsia is both a qualification and a reward in ministry. Eschatological Assurance “Now, little children, remain in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink back” (1 John 2:28). Perfected love “gives us confidence on the day of judgment” (1 John 4:17). The same courage that energizes witness today secures calm expectation of Christ’s return. Theological Connections 1. Spirit: Boldness is repeatedly linked to the filling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31). Greco-Roman Background In the Hellenistic world parrēsia described citizens’ right to frank speech in the assembly. Scripture redeems the term, relocating true freedom of expression from political privilege to redeemed relationship—first with God, then with neighbor. Practical Ministry Implications • Preaching: The gospel must be presented plainly and fearlessly, trusting God for results. Parrēsia, therefore, stands as a hallmark of authentic Christian life—open witness before the world and unshaken confidence before the Father, secured by the finished work of Jesus Christ. Englishman's Concordance Mark 8:32 N-DFSGRK: καὶ παρρησίᾳ τὸν λόγον NAS: the matter plainly. And Peter KJV: he spake that saying openly. And Peter INT: And plainly the word John 7:4 N-DFS John 7:13 N-DFS John 7:26 N-DFS John 10:24 N-DFS John 11:14 N-DFS John 11:54 N-DFS John 16:25 N-DFS John 16:29 N-DFS John 18:20 N-DFS Acts 2:29 N-GFS Acts 4:13 N-AFS Acts 4:29 N-GFS Acts 4:31 N-GFS Acts 28:31 N-GFS 2 Corinthians 3:12 N-DFS 2 Corinthians 7:4 N-NFS Ephesians 3:12 N-AFS Ephesians 6:19 N-DFS Philippians 1:20 N-DFS Colossians 2:15 N-DFS 1 Timothy 3:13 N-AFS Philemon 1:8 N-AFS Hebrews 3:6 N-AFS Hebrews 4:16 N-GFS Strong's Greek 3954 |
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