THE FULL ARTICLE — from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915), general editor James Orr — public domain, printed whole.

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