Understanding ἀποτολμάω (apotolmaō) Strong’s G662: The Bold Declaration of God’s Unexpected Revelation

Pronunciation Guide: ah-po-tol-MAH-oh

Basic Definition

Strong’s G662: A compound verb meaning “to assume boldness, to make a daring declaration, to speak with great courage.” It describes making an assertion that might seem risky or unexpected, especially in contexts of divine revelation or prophetic proclamation. The word implies both the courage to speak and the surprising nature of what is declared.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound verb formed from ἀπό (from, away from) + τολμάω (to dare, to be bold)
• Used primarily in prophetic and declarative contexts
• Rare in New Testament, appearing only once
• Found in both classical and Koine Greek literature
• Primarily used in narrative and prophetic contexts

ἀποτολμάω Morphology:

• ἀποτολμᾷ (present active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she dares to declare
• ἀποτολμῆσαι (aorist active infinitive) – to dare to declare
• ἀποτολμήσας (aorist active participle, nominative masculine singular) – having dared to declare

Origin & History

The word ἀποτολμάω emerged from classical Greek literature where it carried the sense of making a bold departure from expected norms or speaking with unusual frankness. In the works of Thucydides (History of the Peloponnesian War, 7.67), it appears in military contexts where commanders or soldiers take daring initiatives.

In the Septuagint period, though not directly appearing, its root τολμάω was frequently used to describe prophetic boldness and divine enabling for spiritual proclamation. The compound form with ἀπό intensifies the basic meaning, suggesting a boldness that comes from a source beyond oneself.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To make a bold declaration, especially of divine truth
• To dare to speak frankly about unexpected matters
• To assume courage for a challenging proclamation
• To break from conventional expectations with boldness

ἀποτολμάω Translation Options:

• “Dares to declare” – Emphasizes the prophetic courage aspect
• “Boldly proclaims” – Highlights the declarative nature
• “Ventures to assert” – Captures the element of risk
• “Makes a daring statement” – Emphasizes the unexpected nature of the proclamation

Biblical Usage

The sole New Testament occurrence of ἀποτολμάω appears in Romans 10:20, where Paul quotes Isaiah’s bold proclamation about God’s revelation to the Gentiles. This usage is particularly significant as it introduces a statement that would have been shocking to its original audience – that God would reveal Himself to those who weren’t seeking Him.

The context involves Paul explaining God’s sovereign plan to include Gentiles in His covenant, using the word to emphasize the daring nature of Isaiah’s prophecy. The choice of ἀποτολμάω perfectly captures both Isaiah’s prophetic boldness and the surprising content of his message.

• “And Isaiah boldly declares [ἀποτολμᾷ]” Romans 10:20

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, the concept of God revealing Himself to Gentiles who weren’t actively seeking Him would have been radical. The use of ἀποτολμάω in this context reflects not just Isaiah’s personal courage but the shocking nature of the divine revelation itself. This connects to the Hebrew concept of אָמֵץ (ametz – to be bold, strong) often used in prophetic contexts where divine truth challenges conventional wisdom.

The cultural weight of this word choice becomes even more apparent when we consider the first-century context of Romans, where the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s covenant was still a contentious issue. Paul’s use of ἀποτολμάω validates both Isaiah’s prophetic boldness and the revolutionary nature of God’s inclusive plan.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀποτολμάω in Romans reveals profound truths about God’s character and His redemptive plan. It demonstrates that God’s ways often confound human expectations, requiring prophetic boldness to proclaim. The word choice emphasizes that divine revelation sometimes requires courage to declare, especially when it challenges established religious paradigms.

This term also highlights the sovereignty of God in choosing to reveal Himself to unexpected recipients. The boldness required isn’t just human courage but divinely enabled proclamation of God’s surprising grace. It shows that God’s redemptive plan often works in ways that challenge our preconceptions and require bold faith to accept and proclaim.

Personal Application

When we encounter this word in Scripture, it challenges us to examine our own boldness in proclaiming God’s truth, especially when it might challenge conventional wisdom or comfortable religious assumptions. Just as Isaiah needed divine courage to proclaim God’s unexpected work among the Gentiles, we too might need holy boldness to declare God’s work in unexpected places and among unexpected people.

This word reminds us that sometimes the most significant spiritual truths require courage to proclaim and accept. It encourages us to be open to God’s surprising work, even when it doesn’t match our expectations or traditional understanding.

Related Words

• τολμάω (tolmaō) – to dare, have courage – Shows the basic concept of boldness without the intensive prefix. See G5111
• παρρησιάζομαι (parrēsiazomai) – to speak boldly or freely – Emphasizes freedom and openness in speech. See G3955
• θαρρέω (tharreō) – to be confident, courageous – Focuses on the emotional state of courage. See G2292
• καταθαρρέω (katharreō) – to be very courageous – Intensified form expressing great courage. See G2292

Did you Know?

• The prefix ἀπό in ἀποτολμάω suggests a boldness that comes from a source outside oneself, implying divine enabling rather than mere human courage.
• In modern Greek, derivatives of τολμάω are still used to describe groundbreaking scientific or artistic achievements, maintaining the sense of “daring to go beyond conventional boundaries.”
• The concept of prophetic boldness expressed in ἀποτολμάω parallels the Hebrew prophetic tradition where prophets often had to declare unexpected or unwelcome messages from God, as seen in the ministries of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel.

Remember This

ἀποτολμάω represents the divine enablement to boldly declare God’s unexpected ways, reminding us that His truth often requires courage to proclaim and humility to accept.