Lexical Summary parrésiazomai: To speak boldly, to be confident, to speak freely Original Word: παρρησιάζομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance speak boldly. Middle voice from parrhesia; to be frank in utterance, or confident in spirit and demeanor -- be (wax) bold, (preach, speak) boldly. see GREEK parrhesia HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 3955 parrhēsiázomai – speaking boldly, "derived from pan (3956/pás and rhēsis (4483/rhéō hence, bold 'speaking out, of every word' " (WS, 933). See 3954 (parrēsia). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom parrésia Definition to speak freely or boldly NASB Translation confidence (1), had the boldness (1), speak out boldly (1), speak boldly (1), speaking out boldly (2), speaking boldly (1), spoke out boldly (1), spoken out boldly (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3955: παρρησιάζομαιπαρρησιάζομαι; imperfect ἐπαρρησιαζομην; 1 aorist ἐπαρρησιασαμην; (παρρησία, which see); a deponent verb; Vulg. chieflyfiducialiter ago; to bear oneself boldly or confidently; 1. to use freedom in speaking, be free-spoken; to speak freely ((A. V. boldly)): Acts 18:26; Acts 19:8; ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, relying on the name of Jesus, Acts 9:27, 28(29); also ἐπί τῷ κυρίῳ, Acts 14:3. 2. to grow confident, have boldness, show assurance, assume a bold bearing: εἶπεν, Acts 13:46 (R. V. spake out boldly); λαλεῖν, Acts 26:26; παρρησιάζεσθαι ἐν τίνι, in reliance on one to take courage, followed by an infinitive of the thing to be done: λαλῆσαι, Ephesians 6:20; 1 Thessalonians 2:2. (Xenophon, Demosthenes, Aeschines, Polybius, Philo, Plutarch, others; the Sept.; Sir. 6:11.) The verb translated “to speak boldly” characterizes fearless, unreserved proclamation of the gospel. It is not mere personality trait but Spirit-enabled freedom to declare Christ regardless of threat or opposition. Each New Testament occurrence links this bold speech to the advance of the word, the vindication of Christ’s servants, and the edification of the church. Key Occurrences and Their Settings 1. Acts 9:27; Acts 9:28 – Immediately after Saul’s conversion, Barnabas recounts how “at Damascus he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus” and how in Jerusalem “he moved about freely with them, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.” The term underscores the dramatic transformation of the persecutor into a fearless witness and validates his apostleship before suspicious believers. 2. Acts 13:46 – In Pisidian Antioch, when Jewish opposition intensifies, “Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: ‘It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first…’ ”. The bold response defends the divine ordering of salvation history and marks the gospel’s turning toward the Gentiles. 3. Acts 14:3 – Despite initial hostility in Iconium, Paul and Barnabas “spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.” Bold proclamation here is joined to divine attestation, revealing God’s partnership with His messengers. 4. Acts 18:26 – Apollos, “well-versed in the Scriptures,” “spoke boldly in the synagogue.” Priscilla and Aquila refine his understanding, showing that boldness is compatible with teachability and doctrinal precision. 5. Acts 19:8 – In Ephesus, Paul enters the synagogue and “spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God.” The sustained nature of this boldness highlights both perseverance and strategic engagement with hearers. 6. Acts 26:26 – Paul, on trial before Agrippa, declares that the events of Christ’s passion “were not done in a corner,” and he is “convinced that none of this has escaped his notice,” speaking boldly in a legal arena. The gospel is presented as public truth, not esoteric myth. 7. 1 Thessalonians 2:2 – Recalling mistreatment at Philippi, Paul writes, “But with the help of our God we dared to tell you His gospel in the face of strong opposition.” The apostle interprets bold preaching as divine assistance, not self-reliance. 8. Ephesians 6:20 – Imprisoned for the gospel, Paul requests prayer “that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should.” The term becomes a prayer-goal for continued faithfulness amid chains. Historical and Ministry Significance • Apostolic Authentication: In Acts, bold speech marks those whom the risen Christ has commissioned (Paul, Barnabas, Apollos). It functions as evidence of authentic authority more convincing than social status or institutional endorsement. • Conflict Context: Every occurrence arises within confrontation—religious hostility (synagogues), civic resistance (city officials), or legal trials. The word therefore embodies steadfastness under pressure and models how truth confronts error without retreat. • Spirit Empowerment: Though Acts does not always mention the Spirit explicitly with this verb, the wider narrative (Acts 4:31) connects bold proclamation to fullness of the Holy Spirit. Boldness is thus grace-given, not temperament-driven. • Missional Progression: Luke records this boldness as the gospel pushes outward—from Damascus to Jerusalem, Iconium, Ephesus, Caesarea, and Rome. The verb tracks geographic and ethnic expansion, underlining that fearless preaching is instrumental in crossing boundaries. • Shepherding and Teaching: Apollos’s example shows bold speech within orthodox instruction, while Priscilla and Aquila’s corrective demonstrates that courage is meant to be wedded to doctrinal accuracy and humility. • Prayer Priority: The request in Ephesians 6:20 teaches that boldness must be sought continually. Even seasoned apostles feel their dependence and invite the church’s intercession. Theological Themes • Christ’s Public Triumph: Bold proclamation presupposes that the gospel events are historical and universally relevant (“not done in a corner,” Acts 26:26). The church therefore speaks publicly, not privately, about a risen Lord. • Suffering and Boldness: Repeated linkage of persecution with fearless speech (1 Thessalonians 2:2; Acts 14:3) affirms that hardship is not an obstacle but a platform for testimony. • Kingdom Advance: Acts 19:8 ties boldness to “the kingdom of God,” showing that courageous preaching mediates the reign of Christ, overturning rival powers and ideologies. Contemporary Application • Preachers and teachers are summoned to declare biblical truth without dilution, trusting the Spirit for clarity and courage. • Congregations should pray for their leaders’ boldness, recognizing it as a spiritual gift vital for evangelism and discipleship. • Individual believers, when facing cultural opposition, can draw on the same divine enablement evidenced in Acts, remembering that boldness is for gospel witness, not personal pride. • Orthodoxy and humility must accompany courage; Apollos’s refinement cautions against bold yet inaccurate proclamation. Summary Strong’s Greek 3955 portrays fearless, Spirit-enabled proclamation that advances the gospel, authenticates ministers, and overcomes opposition. Grounded in the historical reality of Christ’s death and resurrection, such boldness remains essential for faithful witness until He returns. Englishman's Concordance Acts 9:27 V-AIM-3SGRK: ἐν Δαμασκῷ ἐπαρρησιάσατο ἐν τῷ NAS: at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name KJV: how he had preached boldly at INT: in Damascus he spoke bodly in the Acts 9:28 V-PPM/P-NMS Acts 13:46 V-APM-NMP Acts 14:3 V-PPM/P-NMP Acts 18:26 V-PNM/P Acts 19:8 V-IIM/P-3S Acts 26:26 V-PPM/P-NMS Ephesians 6:20 V-ASM-1S 1 Thessalonians 2:2 V-AIM-1P Strong's Greek 3955 |
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