Brief Overview of ἀφόβως (G870: aphobōs)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: aphobōs

Root Words: Derived from a- (negation) and phobos (fear), literally meaning “without fear”.

Primary Meanings:

• Fearlessly or without fear.
• Used to describe actions or states free from intimidation or trepidation.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: Highlights its use to convey boldness and confidence, especially in the face of potential danger or opposition.

Thayer’s: Emphasizes its implication in moral courage, especially in ethical or religious contexts.

Vines: Discusses its application in Christian texts to denote bravery and unswerving faith.

LSJ: Considers its broader usage in classical Greek to denote a general state of fearlessness.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Aligns with BDAG, noting its frequent biblical association with courageous proclamation of faith.

Bible Verses:

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• Acts 28:31: “Proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”
• Philippians 1:14: “Most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

3. Classic Greek Literature:

Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

• Plato’s Dialogues: Often used to describe the ideal philosopher who speaks truth without fear of consequence.
• Thucydides’ Histories: Describes military leaders who acted without fear in crucial battles.
• Aristophanes’ Plays: Used to characterize characters who challenge societal norms with boldness.

4. Summary:

ἀφόβως (aphobōs) captures the quality of fearlessness, essential both in classical and biblical narratives to portray characters with notable bravery and moral fortitude. It enriches texts by providing a stark contrast to contexts of fear and intimidation, offering a nuanced understanding of courage and bold action. This word’s study through various lexicons like BDAG and Thayers provides a deeper insight into its significant role in portraying undaunted confidence and spiritual bravery in religious and philosophical discourse.