Brief Overview of πληροφορία (Strong’s G4136: plērophoria)

Strong’s G4136: A compound noun meaning “full assurance” or “complete confidence,” derived from πλήρης (full) and φέρω (to bear). In New Testament usage, it describes absolute certainty in faith, understanding, and hope, particularly regarding spiritual truth and divine promises.

U- Unveiling the Word

πληροφορία represents the state of complete certainty or full assurance in spiritual matters. In the New Testament, Paul uses it to describe the deep conviction that characterizes mature faith and understanding of divine truth. Early church fathers emphasized this term when discussing the certainty of faith and the assurance of salvation. Today, it continues to express the confident faith that comes from genuine encounter with God’s truth, distinguishing it from mere intellectual assent or uncertainty.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: πληροφορία, plērophoria, /play-ro-for-EE-ah/
• Detailed pronunciation: play-ro-for-EE-ah (emphasis on fourth syllable)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• First component: πληρο- (plēro-) meaning “full”
• Second component: -φορία (-phoria) from φέρω, “to bear/carry”
• Suffix: -ία (-ia) abstract noun ending

D – Defining Meanings

• Full assurance
• Complete confidence
• Perfect certainty

For compound words: Combines the concept of “fullness” with “bearing,” creating the idea of carrying complete conviction

Translation Options:

• Full assurance – Emphasizes completeness
• Complete confidence – Highlights certainty aspect
• Perfect conviction – Stresses depth of belief

E – Exploring Similar Words

• βεβαίωσις (bebaiōsis) /beb-AY-oh-sis/ – confirmation, establishment
  See G951
• πεποίθησις (pepoithēsis) /pep-OY-thay-sis/ – confidence, trust
  See G4006

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Noun Features:

• Case: Nominative, Genitive, Dative, Accusative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Feminine
• Declension: First

Examples:
Nominative: πληροφορία
Genitive: πληροφορίας
Dative: πληροφορίᾳ
Accusative: πληροφορίαν

• Cross-references to verb πληροφορέω and related compounds

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its role in expressing complete certainty. Thayer’s notes its unique New Testament usage. LSJ documents limited classical usage. Vine’s highlights its importance in faith contexts. Strong’s connects it to full assurance. LEH notes its absence in Septuagint. Moulton and Milligan cite examples from legal contexts.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
“that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ” Colossians 2:2

Additional References:
1 Thessalonians 1:5, Hebrews 6:11, Hebrews 10:22

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

πληροφορία reminds us that true faith brings complete assurance. Through Christ, we can have full confidence in God’s promises and perfect certainty in our salvation. This word encourages believers that doubt and uncertainty give way to complete assurance as we grow in knowledge of Christ.

D – Did You Know?

1. The term rarely appeared in classical Greek before New Testament times.
2. Early Christian martyrs often cited this word describing their certainty of faith.
3. Medieval mystics used it to describe spiritual experiences of divine certainty.

Strong’s G4136: A compound noun expressing complete assurance or full confidence, particularly in spiritual matters. In New Testament usage, it describes the deep certainty that characterizes mature faith and understanding of divine truth.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: assurance, confidence, certainty, faith, understanding, Paul’s epistles, Hebrews, biblical Greek, conviction, spiritual maturity, salvation, truth​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​