[I eagerly expect and hope that I…] will have sufficient courage…
Summary: The word “courage” is an interesting choice for a translation of the Greek word Paul used. As we examine the Greek, we discover that there is more to this passage than a desire to be brave.
Do you have “sufficient courage?” Do you know anybody who does?
Whatever the word “courage” means to you, it probably does not capture the essence of what Paul was trying to say.
The word Paul used was “parrhēsía,” which, according to Strong’s Concordance* refers to:
“all out-spokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance:—bold (X -ly, -ness, -ness of speech), confidence”**
While “courage” is a fair choice of words for an English translation of the Greek, it has a somewhat limited connotation. David, for example, had the courage to face Goliath (1 Samuel 17). Esther provides another example of courage when she dares to confront the king to plead for the lives of the Israelites (Esther 4-5).
The word “courage” implies a direct threat. But what about an indirect threat?
The Bible uses the same word, “parrhēsía,” to describe how Jesus spoke when he taught about his coming crucifixion and death (Mark 8:31-32). In this case, there is no direct threat. Instead, the Bible says he spoke “plainly.” “Plainly” is translated from the same Greek word as “courage” in our passage from Philippians.
Do you see the difference?
Words have power.
If other people don’t like your words, they might react by trying to hurt you. Sometimes, they can hurt back with words, while at other times, they might strike out with their fist. Jesus, for example, never hurt anyone, yet he was killed because of his words.†
Life teaches us to watch what we say. People who like to fight are more prone to ‘mouth off’ than people who avoid pain. Someone who has the backing of a group of people will be more inclined to speak than someone speaking alone.
The Gospel message is, at its heart, a message of love and peace. Jesus offers us eternal life if we turn to him in faith, trusting in his sacrifice on the cross as a demonstration of God’s willingness to forgive. Unfortunately, this message challenges us to confront our failings. The mere suggestion that we need saving implies that we have done something wrong.
The truth is, we have done something wrong. Everyone who fails to acknowledge God and obey his will needs forgiveness. Nobody likes to hear that they are doing things wrong.
It is true that it requires “sufficient courage” to speak the truth about God and Jesus. It also requires knowledge of the truth as well as frankness, bluntness, publicity, and, by implication, bold assurance.
Application: Get to know the Word, Jesus Christ, personally.
Food for Thought: How does Jesus’ admonition to remove the “plank” from our own eye (Matthew 7:1-5) provide a foundation for having courage in sharing the Gospel?
*Strongs G3954
**”G3954 – parrēsia – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (niv).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 8 Jun, 2025. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3954/niv/mgnt/0-1/>.
† This is somewhat ironic since Jesus himself was known as “The Word” (John 1:1-4).
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Continue reading “Philippians 1:20b – Bold Assurance”
