Bible Dictionary
BOLDNESS
Confidence, fearlessness, and freedom of speech. Christian boldness comes through discipleship and faith, enabling believers to witness plainly despite persecution and to approach God with confidence.
Definition
Boldness is confidence, fearlessness, and freedom of speech. It may also mean plainness in speaking or the freedom and authority that arise from confidence.
Biblical Usage
Boldness was a result of discipleship and a necessary qualification for Christian witness amid persecution, ridicule, and contempt. It describes plain speech, confident approach to God, freedom before Christ’s coming, and—in one case—Paul’s authority to make a request.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>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.</p><p>Jacob W. Kapp</p>