Confidence

Biblical Concept: Confidence

Vocabulary:

1) peitho (pei,qw) = persuade, convince, belief, confidence.
2) parresia (parrhsi,a) = free speaking, bold speaking, assurance, confidence.
3) tharreo (qarre,w) = good courage, hopeful, confident.

Outline:

1) Positional confidence in Christ.
2) Confidence and the Christian Way of Life.
3) Confidence and evangelism.
4) Confidence and eternity.
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1) Positional confidence in Christ:

Ephesians 3:12, in Christ we have boldness (parresia) and confident (peitho) access through faith in Him.

Conclusions: 1) The previous and post contexts are powerful. In
the previous context (3:1-11), Paul discussed the mystery of the Church,
the mission of the Church and God’s eternal purpose in Christ. God has
provided much for Christians to have ‘bold confident access’ to Him! In
the following context (3:12-21), Paul elaborates on God’s sufficient
provisions which the Christian is to ‘boldly, confidently access.’ God has
provided everything to make us successful in the Christian Way Of Life
and glorify Him to the maximum.

2 Corinthians 3:4; And such confidence (peitho) we have through Christ toward God.

Conclusions: 1) Spiritual confidence comes through Christ. Thus,
spiritual confidence cannot be faked (see “adequacy” in 3:5-6). Christ is
the source of spiritual confidence. 2) The Holy Spirit’s role in our
confidence and adequacy is described in 3:6b-18. Note the repetition of
the word “glory” in these verses. ‘Christian spiritual confidence’ through
the Holy Spirit brings great glory to God!

2) Confidence and the Christian Way of Life:

Philippians 1:20; with all boldness (parresia), Christ shall be exalted in my body.

Conclusions: 1) The goal of spiritual boldness is the exaltation of Christ.
2) In 1:21-28, Paul describes living for Christ, exalting Christ.

Hebrews 3:6; whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence (parresia) and the boast of our hope firm until the end.

Conclusion: Volitional diligence is necessary for continued confidence.

Hebrews 4:16; draw near with confidence (parresia) to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.

Conclusion: Faithful confidence activates Grace help.

Hebrews 13:6; so that we confidently (tharreo) say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What shall man do to me?”

Conclusion: Spiritual confidence + God = help = no fear of man.
Compare Philippians 1:14 - Spiritual confidence (peitho) overcomes
prison and fear.

1 John 3:19; We shall know by this that we are of the truth, and shall assure (peitho) our heart before Him.

Conclusion: Spiritual Biblical truth = a confident inner man. Compare 3:21 (parresia) and Hebrews 13:18 (peitho).

1 John 5:14; And this is the confidence (parresia) which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

Conclusion: Asking + will + hearing = confidence.

Spiritual confidence in fellow Christians - 2 Corinthians 1:15 (peitho), 2:3 (peitho), 7:16 (tharreo), 8:22 (peitho), Romans 15:14 (peitho), Galatians 5:10 (peitho), 2 Thessalonians 3:4 (peitho), 2 Timothy 1:5 (peitho), Philemon 21 (peitho) and Hebrews 6:9 (peitho).

Philippians 1:6; For I am confident (peitho) of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Conclusion: Paul was confident in God concerning the Philippians
continued spiritual function.

Philippians 3:3; for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence (peitho) in the flesh. Also 3:4-7.

Conclusion: Spiritual confidence is not fleshly confidence. Compare 2 Corinthians 1:9 (peitho).

1 Timothy 3:13; Deacons who have served well, good standing and great confidence (parresia) in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Conclusion: Application of Bible Doctrine = spiritual confidence.

3) Confidence and evangelism:

Acts 28:31, Paul’s open (parresia) prison preaching. Compare (parresia) in Ephesians 6:19-20 and 1 Thessalonians 2:2.

Conclusions: 1) Giving the Gospel does not require the right circumstances (Paul was in prison). 2) Giving the Gospel takes confidence. 3) Giving the Gospel will be opposed. See John 7:13 (parresia) and John 7:26 (parresia).

Acts 4:13, the confidence (parresia) of Peter and John at the beginning of the Church. See 4:7-8. Compare parresia in Acts 4:29-31.

Conclusion: Christian confidence is Supernatural, from the Holy Spirit. If you do not have spiritual confidence, evaluate your spirituality.

4) Confidence and eternity:

Hebrews 10:35; Therefore, do not throw away your confidence (parresia), which has a great reward.

Conclusions: 1) Continued Christian confidence requires continued positive volition. 2) Continued Christian confidence = mega eternal reward. See also, 10:36-39.

1 John 4:17; By this, love is perfected with us, that we may have confidence (parresia) in the day of judgement; because as He is, so also are we in this world.

Conclusion: Love (application of Bible Doctrine, 1 John 2:4-5 and 5:1-3) = confidence at the ‘Judgement Seat of Christ.’

1 John 2:28; abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence (parresia) and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming. Compare 2 Timothy 1:12 (peitho).

Conclusion: Living for Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:20-21) = confidence at the Rapture.

Romans 8:38-39; For I am convinced (peitho) that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Conclusion: Understanding eternal security = confidence.

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