Boldness

Boldness - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

BOLDNESS, n. Courage; bravery; intrepidity; spirit; fearlessness. I cannot, with Johnson, interpret this word by fortitude or magnanimity. Boldness does not, I think, imply the firmness of mind, which constitutes fortitude,nor the elevation and generosity of magnanimity.

1. Prominence; the quality of exceeding the ordinary rules of scrupulous nicety and caution; applied to style, expression, and metaphors in language; and to figures in painting, sculpture and architecture.

2. Freedom from timidity; liberty.

Great is my boldness of speech towards you. 2 Cor 7.

3. Confidence; confident trust.

We have boldness and access with confidence. Eph 3.

4. Freedom from bashfulness; assurance; confident mien.

5. Prominence; steepness; as the boldness of the shore.

6. Excess of freedom, bordering on impudence.

bold'-nes (parresia, "confidence," "fearlessness," "freedom of speech"): This was one of the results of discipleship (Ac 4:13,29,31; Eph 3:12; Php 1:20; 1Ti 3:13; 1Jo 4:17). It was a necessary qualification for the work assigned them. They were not only subject to violent persecutions, but also were the constant subject of ridicule and contempt. Paul uses the word in the sense of plainness in 2Co 3:12. In Heb 10:19; 1Jo 2:28; 4:17, it has the sense of freeness resulting from confidence. In Phm 1:8, the reference is to the authority which Paul claims in this case.

Jacob W. Kapp