Definition and Meaning:
To embolden means to give someone the courage or confidence to act or speak in a certain way. In a biblical context, emboldening often refers to the empowerment given by God or the Holy Spirit to believers, enabling them to proclaim the Gospel, stand firm in their faith, and act according to God's will.

Biblical Instances and Themes:

1. Divine Empowerment:
Throughout the Bible, God emboldens His people to accomplish His purposes. This divine empowerment is often seen in the context of leadership, prophecy, and evangelism. For example, in the Old Testament, God emboldens Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, saying, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9).

2. The Holy Spirit's Role:
In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in emboldening believers. After Jesus' ascension, the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which emboldened them to preach the Gospel despite persecution. Acts 4:31 states, "After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."

3. Apostolic Boldness:
The Apostle Paul frequently speaks of boldness in his letters, often in the context of preaching the Gospel. In Ephesians 6:19-20 , Paul requests prayer "that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."

4. Courage in Persecution:
The early Christians were often emboldened in the face of persecution. The Book of Acts records numerous instances where believers, filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke boldly despite threats and opposition. Acts 13:46 recounts Paul and Barnabas speaking boldly in the synagogue, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles."

5. Encouragement to Believers:
Believers are encouraged to seek boldness in their faith and witness. Hebrews 4:16 invites believers to "approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." This confidence is rooted in the assurance of God's presence and support.

6. Examples of Bold Faith:
The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who were emboldened by their faith. Daniel's refusal to stop praying despite the king's decree (Daniel 6) and Esther's courageous approach to King Xerxes to save her people (Esther 4:16) are classic examples of boldness inspired by trust in God.

Theological Implications:

Emboldening by God is a recurring theme that underscores the transformative power of faith and the Holy Spirit. It highlights the believer's reliance on divine strength rather than personal ability. This empowerment is not merely for personal benefit but for the advancement of God's kingdom and the proclamation of His truth. The call to be bold is a call to trust in God's promises and to act in accordance with His will, regardless of earthly challenges or opposition.(v. t.) To give boldness or courage to; to encourage.3618. oikodomeo -- to build a house
... 1), rebuild (4), strengthened (1). build, edify, embolden. From the same as
oikodome; to be a house-builder, ie Construct or (figuratively ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3618.htm - 9k4834. marats -- to be sick
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be sick NASB Word Usage painful (2), plagues
(1), violent (1). embolden, be forcible, grievous, sore. ...
/hebrew/4834.htm - 6k

7292. rahab -- to act stormily, boisterously or arrogantly
... A primitive root; to urge severely, ie (figuratively) importune, embolden, capture,
act insolently -- overcome, behave self proudly, make sure, strengthen. ...
/hebrew/7292.htm - 6k

"And this is his Commandment," &C.
... disposition. Love and condescension doth rather embolden them, and therefore
they must be restrained with the bridle of authority. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon iii and this is.htm

The Cambridge Platform and the Half-Way Covenant
... unto church discipline, but who were unable to come up to that experimental account
of their own regeneration which would sufficiently embolden their access to ...
/.../chapter iv the cambridge platform.htm

Impressive Phrases
... anger, indignation, resentment, and rage. animate, impel, instigate, and embolden.
animosity, malice, enmity, and hatred. annul, frustrate, reverse, and destroy ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iv impressive phrases.htm

The Constancy of the Ephesine Fathers in Driving Away Novelty and ...
... all were capable of taking part in doctrinal discussions, whom the very circumstance
of their being assembled for the purpose, might seem to embolden to make ...
/.../vincent/the commonitory of vincent of lerins/chapter xxxi the constancy of.htm

Gentleness Succeeding Strength
... man pleading that ancient deeds may be repeated to-day, and, by answering the cry
addressed to Him as the God of saints and martyrs of old, will embolden us to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/gentleness succeeding strength.htm

Letter cclxxix. To Modestus the Prefect.
... His cause he will explain in person, if you but deign to regard him with a favourable
eye, and embolden him to speak freely in the presence of so august an ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter cclxxix to modestus the.htm

The Christian Urged To, and Assisted In, an Express Act of Self ...
... May the recollection or it embolden your addresses to the throne of grace now, and
give additional strength to your departing spirit, in a consciousness that ...
/.../chapter xvii the christian urged.htm

Man's Own Character no Ground of Peace
... he lacks of good that draws him to God; and it is the conscienceness of his lack
that bids him look elsewhere, for something both to invite and embolden him to ...
/.../bonar/gods way of peace/chapter ii mans own character.htm

Letter cxxviii. To Gaudentius.
... By so doing if you do not actually sin you appear to do so, and (so important is
your influence) you embolden unhappy men by your example to do what is wrong. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxviii to gaudentius.htm

How Herod Made War with the King of Arabia, and after they had ...
... king persuaded the commanders by his words, and tried to raise their spirits, which
were quite sunk; and first he endeavored to encourage and embolden some of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how herod made.htm

Embolden (1 Occurrence)
... (vt) To give boldness or courage to; to encourage. Multi-Version Concordance
Embolden (1 Occurrence). Job 16:3 Shall vain words have an end? ...
/e/embolden.htm - 6k

Embodiment (1 Occurrence)

/e/embodiment.htm - 7k

Emboldened (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Embolden. Multi-Version Concordance
Emboldened (3 Occurrences). Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea ...
/e/emboldened.htm - 7k

Offend (24 Occurrences)
... Everything that would embolden another to do that which would be wrong for him,
or that would turn anyone away from the faith, must be carefully avoided ...
/o/offend.htm - 23k

Offence (27 Occurrences)
... Everything that would embolden another to do that which would be wrong for him,
or that would turn anyone away from the faith, must be carefully avoided ...
/o/offence.htm - 25k

How can I avoid enabling someone else's sin? | GotQuestions.org

Embolden: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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