Lexical Summary aphobós: Fearlessly, without fear Original Word: ἀφόβως Strong's Exhaustive Concordance without fear. Adverb from a compound of a (as a negative particle) and phobos; fearlessly -- without fear. see GREEK a see GREEK phobos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originadverb from alpha (as a neg. prefix) and phobos Definition without fear NASB Translation without cause (1), without cause to be afraid (1), without fear (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 870: ἀφόβωςἀφόβως, adverb (φόβος), without fear, boldly: Luke 1:74; Philippians 1:14; 1 Corinthians 16:10; Jude 1:12. (From Xenophon down.) Topical Lexicon ConceptThe adverb ἀφόβως denotes a state of being unhindered by dread, intimidation, or timidity. It speaks of an inner confidence given by God that enables His people to act, speak, or worship in complete freedom from paralyzing fear. Scriptural Occurrences Luke 1:74: “…to grant us, that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear.” 1 Corinthians 16:10: “If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am.” Philippians 1:14: “And most of the brothers, confident in the Lord by my chains, now dare all the more to speak the word without fear.” Jude 1:12: “These men are hidden reefs in your love feasts, feasting with you without fear, caring only for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by the wind…” Redemptive Context (Luke 1:74) Zechariah’s prophecy links fearlessness to deliverance: once the Messiah rescues His covenant people, they are enabled to “serve Him without fear.” The phrase gathers up Old Testament expectations (Genesis 15:1; Isaiah 41:10) and projects them into the New Covenant. Fearlessness becomes a hallmark of the new age inaugurated by Jesus Christ—service that is wholehearted because enemies and ultimate judgment have been decisively addressed. Apostolic Ministry Context (1 Corinthians 16:10) Paul charges the Corinthians to receive Timothy so that he can labor “without fear.” The admonition implies congregational responsibility: a church ought to foster an atmosphere where faithful servants need not dread criticism, comparison, or hostility. Fearlessness here safeguards the advance of Gospel work and guards emerging leaders from discouragement. Evangelistic Boldness (Philippians 1:14) Paul’s imprisonment emboldens believers; they “dare all the more to speak the word without fear.” Fearless proclamation is not generated by personality but by a heightened awareness of the Lord’s sovereignty over circumstances. Opposition becomes a catalyst rather than a deterrent. This anticipates later testimonies in Acts and church history, where suffering magnifies fearless witness. Irreverent Presumption (Jude 1:12) The same term can describe a counterfeit boldness. False teachers, devoid of reverence, “feast … without fear,” exposing the danger of fearlessness divorced from the fear of God. Scripture therefore distinguishes between holy boldness rooted in redemption and arrogant bravado rooted in self-love. True fearlessness never eliminates reverence; it redirects fear away from man toward a worshipful awe of the Lord. Theological Threads 1. Freedom from Enemies: Spiritual liberation displaces servile dread (Hebrews 2:14-15). Historical and Practical Implications • Early Church Climate: A hostile Greco-Roman world made fearless testimony indispensable; martyr accounts echo Philippians 1:14. Related Concepts Parrēsia (boldness of speech), Tharseō (take courage), Agape-driven courage (1 John 4:18). These nuances together portray Christian confidence that is humble, Spirit-empowered, and Christ-exalting. Application for Today 1. Worship: Approach God “without fear,” yet in reverence, confident in Jesus’ priesthood (Hebrews 4:16). Summary ἀφόβως encapsulates the fearless stance of those redeemed by Christ—free from the tyranny of enemies and empowered for service, speech, and fellowship—while simultaneously warning against brazen irreverence. True fearlessness grows out of trust in the Lord, flourishes in loving community, and bears fruit in bold witness that glorifies God. Forms and Transliterations αφοβως αφόβως ἀφόβως aphobos aphobōs aphóbos aphóbōsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Luke 1:74 AdvGRK: ἀφόβως ἐκ χειρὸς NAS: Might serve Him without fear, KJV: might serve him without fear, INT: [that] without fear out of [the] hand 1 Corinthians 16:10 Adv Philippians 1:14 Adv Jude 1:12 Adv |
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