Lexical Summary pepoithésis: Confidence, trust, assurance Original Word: πεποίθησις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance confidence, trust. From the perfect of the alternate of pascho; reliance -- confidence, trust. see GREEK pascho HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4006 pepoíthēsis (a feminine noun derived from 3982 /peíthō, "persuade, be persuaded") – properly, persuasion; used of human confidence (deluded self-persuasion in Phil 3:4), but more commonly of Spirit-produced persuasion (2 Cor 3:4; Eph 3:12). See 3982 (peithō). Eph 3:12: "In whom we have confidence (3954 /parrhēsía) and interactive-access in persuasion (4006 /pepoíthēsis) through the (principle) of faith that is given by Him." [4006 (pepoíthēsis) is used of human persuasion (confidence) in Phil 3:4.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom peithó Definition confidence NASB Translation confidence (5), confident (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4006: πεποίθησιςπεποίθησις, πεποιθησεως, ἡ (πείθω, 2 perfect πέποιθα), trust, confidence (R. V.), reliance: 2 Corinthians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 3:4; 2 Corinthians 10:2; Ephesians 3:12; εἰς τινα, 2 Corinthians 8:22; ἐν τίνι,Philippians 3:4. (Philo de nobilit. § 7; Josephus, Antiquities 1, 3, 1; 3, 2, 2; 10, 1, 4; (11, 7, 1; Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 2, 3 [ET]); Zosimus ( Topical Lexicon Pepoithesis – Spirit-inspired ConfidenceRoot and Semantic Field Pepoithesis arises from a perfect-tense idea of settled persuasion, portraying an attitude that is both established and continuing. It belongs to the family of terms that stress inward persuasion, assurance, and reliance. Within classical and Jewish Greek writings it can describe trust in persons, structures, or deities, but in the New Testament it is consistently redirected to the sphere of divine grace in Christ. Occurrences in the New Testament 1. 2 Corinthians 1:15 – Paul’s travel plans rest on a confidence that the Corinthians will benefit twice from his visit. These references cluster in Pauline letters, emphasizing the apostle’s pastoral concern that authentic confidence be grounded in God’s redemptive action rather than human capacity. Theological Themes 1. Christ-Centered Assurance The term highlights assurance that is “through Christ” (2 Corinthians 3:4). Confidence is not self-generated; it is mediated by union with the risen Lord and empowered by the Spirit. 2. Access to God In Ephesians 3:12 the word is paired with “boldness,” portraying the believer’s unrestricted approach to the Father. The apostle intertwines Christology and soteriology: confidence is inseparable from justification and adoption. 3. Apostolic Ministry Pepoithesis undergirds Paul’s missionary boldness (2 Corinthians 10:2) and his delegation of trusted co-workers (2 Corinthians 8:22). Ministry proceeds not from presumption but from a settled trust in God’s faithfulness. 4. Contrast with Fleshly Reliance Philippians 3:4 draws a sharp line between Spirit-wrought confidence and boastful flesh. The latter rests on lineage, ceremony, and achievement; the former rests on the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Historical Background In Greco-Roman culture confidence was often linked to social status, patronage, or Stoic self-mastery. Paul reorients the concept, placing the believer’s confidence in the crucified and risen Messiah, thereby subverting societal norms that idolize human prowess. Intertextual Connections While the Septuagint seldom uses pepoithesis, related verbs appear in Psalms (“In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge,” Psalm 31:1). Paul inherits this trust vocabulary and expands it with Christological depth. Pastoral and Missionary Implications • Leadership: Spiritual leaders cultivate confidence by demonstrating God-honoring integrity (2 Corinthians 8:22). Application for the Church Today Pepoithesis invites modern Christians to examine the true object of their assurance. In an age that prizes self-confidence, Scripture calls the church to cultivate Christ-confidence—an unwavering persuasion that God’s grace is sufficient for salvation, sanctification, and service. Forms and Transliterations πεποιθησει πεποιθήσει Πεποιθησιν Πεποίθησιν πεποίθησις πεποιθότως πέπονας pepoithesei pepoithēsei pepoithḗsei Pepoithesin Pepoithēsin Pepoíthesin PepoíthēsinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Corinthians 1:15 N-DFSGRK: ταύτῃ τῇ πεποιθήσει ἐβουλόμην πρότερον NAS: In this confidence I intended at first KJV: in this confidence I was minded INT: with this confidence I purposed previously 2 Corinthians 3:4 N-AFS 2 Corinthians 8:22 N-DFS 2 Corinthians 10:2 N-DFS Ephesians 3:12 N-DFS Philippians 3:4 N-AFS Strong's Greek 4006 |
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