Understanding ἀφόβως (aphobōs) Strong’s G870: Living Without Fear in God’s Deliverance and Divine Purpose

Pronunciation Guide: ah-FOH-boce

Basic Definition

Strong’s G870: The Greek adverb ἀφόβως (aphobōs) conveys the profound state of being “without fear,” “fearlessly,” or “boldly.” It describes action taken with complete confidence and absence of timidity. In biblical contexts, this fearlessness is not merely the absence of fear but courage rooted in divine assurance and spiritual conviction that empowers believers to live and serve with holy boldness.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Adverb
• Root Words: Derived from the adjective ἄφοβος (aphobos), which combines the negative prefix ἀ- (a-, “without”) + φόβος (phobos, “fear”)
• Language Origin: Koine Greek
• Primary Usage: Found in narrative and teaching/exhortation contexts
• Frequency: Appears only 4 times in the New Testament

ἀφόβως Morphology:

• ἄφοβος (adjective, nominative singular masculine) – fearless one
• ἀφόβως (adverb) – fearlessly, without fear

Origin & History

The concept of fearlessness (ἀφόβως) has deep roots in classical Greek literature, where it often described the ideal warrior’s courage in battle or the philosopher’s tranquility in the face of death. Aristotle, in his “Nicomachean Ethics,” discusses ἄφοβος (the adjectival form) as a virtue related to courage, though he cautions that complete fearlessness might border on rashness if not tempered with wisdom.

In the Septuagint (LXX), forms of ἄφοβος appear several times, notably in Proverbs 1:33, where the righteous person “will dwell without fear” (κατασκηνώσει πεποιθώς) as a result of heeding wisdom. The concept transitions into the New Testament where it takes on deeper theological significance, moving beyond mere absence of fear to a positive state of confidence grounded in God’s faithfulness and salvation.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Living in a state completely free from debilitating fear or anxiety
• Acting with bold confidence based on divine assurance
• Conducting oneself without intimidation from opponents or circumstances
• Serving God with uninhibited devotion, unrestrained by worldly concerns
• Speaking truth with courageous conviction regardless of consequences

ἀφόβως Translation Options:

• Fearlessly – Emphasizes the active courage displayed in the face of potential danger
• Without fear – Highlights the complete absence of fear as a motivating or restraining factor
• Boldly – Captures the confident posture with which actions are taken
• Confidently – Focuses on the assurance that underlies fearless behavior
• Courageously – Emphasizes the virtue aspect of facing difficulty without succumbing to fear

Biblical Usage

The adverb ἀφόβως appears strategically in the New Testament, often in contexts where believers face opposition or intimidation. Its first appearance in Luke 1:74 occurs in Zechariah’s prophecy regarding the Messiah’s deliverance, where he declares that God’s people will serve Him “without fear” of enemies, having been delivered by the Messiah’s coming.

In the epistles, ἀφόβως characterizes both positive and negative boldness. Paul commends Timothy to ensure that Timothy can work “without fear” (1 Corinthians 16:10) among the Corinthians, demonstrating the importance of creating an environment where God’s servants can minister without intimidation. Conversely, Jude uses the term to describe false teachers who feast “without fear” (Jude 1:12), highlighting their brazen disregard for divine authority.

• “To grant us that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear [ἀφόβως].” Luke 1:74
• “Now if Timothy comes, see that he is with you without fear [ἀφόβως], for he is doing the Lord’s work, as I also am.” 1 Corinthians 16:10
• “I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power… I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you one wise man who will be able to decide between his brethren, but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?… But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, ‘Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord.'” 1 Corinthians 2:3-4, 6:5, 1:30-31
• “These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear [ἀφόβως], caring for themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted.” Jude 1:12
• “And when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so. As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine will not be stopped in the regions of Achaia. Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do! But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:9-13

Cultural Insights

In the Greco-Roman world of the first century, fearlessness (ἀφόβως) was highly valued in multiple contexts. Roman soldiers were expected to display fearlessness in battle, Stoic philosophers practiced fearlessness toward death and misfortune, and public speakers demonstrated fearlessness before critical audiences. However, the biblical concept of ἀφόβως transforms these cultural ideals by grounding fearlessness not in human virtue or willpower but in divine deliverance and promise.

The appearance of ἀφόβως in Zechariah’s prophecy (Luke 1:74) carries particular significance in the Jewish context of Roman occupation. For centuries, the Jewish people had lived under successive foreign powers—Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and now Romans. The promise of serving God “without fear” would have resonated deeply with a people who constantly faced threats to their religious practices and national identity. Zechariah’s prophecy connects fearlessness with the Messianic hope, suggesting that true freedom from fear comes through the Messiah’s redemptive work, not through political liberation.

Theological Significance

The concept of ἀφόβως reveals a profound theological truth: genuine fearlessness is a fruit of divine deliverance. In Luke 1:74, Zechariah declares that God’s people will serve Him “without fear” precisely because they have been “rescued from the hand of our enemies.” This establishes a crucial theological sequence: God’s saving act precedes and enables fearless service. We do not muster fearlessness to earn deliverance; rather, our experience of God’s deliverance produces fearlessness.

This fearlessness stands in stark contrast to the world’s false security. The false teachers in Jude 1:12 feast “without fear,” but their fearlessness springs from arrogance and spiritual blindness. True ἀφόβως, by contrast, is the holy boldness that flows from right relationship with God. It manifests not as reckless self-confidence but as reverential trust in God’s power and promises. This fearlessness becomes possible when believers grasp their identity as God’s beloved children and recognize that “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). The Messiah Jesus delivers us not only from external enemies but from the paralyzing power of fear itself.

Personal Application

Living ἀφόβως—fearlessly—transforms every aspect of our spiritual journey. When we grasp that the Messiah has delivered us from our ultimate enemies—sin, death, and Satan—we can face lesser threats with supernatural courage. This divine fearlessness frees us to serve God with undivided hearts, no longer paralyzed by worry about reputation, rejection, or repercussion. Each morning, we can ask ourselves: “What would I do today if I were completely fearless?” The answer often reveals God’s true calling for our lives.

This fearlessness must be distinguished from recklessness or presumption. Biblical ἀφόβως is not the absence of appropriate caution but rather the presence of God-given confidence that overcomes debilitating anxiety. When we walk in the holy boldness that flows from our secure position in the Messiah, we experience the freedom Zechariah prophesied—serving God without fear, in holiness and righteousness, all the days of our lives.

Related Words

• θάρσος (tharsos, pronunciation: THAR-sos) – courage, confidence, boldness; focuses on the positive presence of courage rather than the absence of fear. This word emphasizes the inner strength that enables fearless action. See G2294
• παρρησία (parrhēsia, pronunciation: par-ray-SEE-ah) – boldness, openness, frankness, especially in speech; originally referred to the Greek democratic ideal of freedom of speech but in the New Testament often describes the confident boldness believers have in approaching God or proclaiming the gospel. See G3954
• τόλμα (tolma, pronunciation: TOL-mah) – daring, boldness, often with connotations of audacity; can sometimes suggest a boldness that borders on presumption. In Romans 10:20, Paul describes Isaiah as very bold (ἀποτολμάω, derived from τόλμα). See G5111
• φόβος (phobos, pronunciation: FOH-bos) – fear, terror, reverence; the root word that ἀφόβως negates. In the New Testament, φόβος can refer to debilitating terror or appropriate reverence toward God. See G5401
• εὐψυχέω (eupsucheō, pronunciation: eu-psoo-KHEH-oh) – to be of good courage, to be cheerful; combines εὖ (good) with ψυχή (soul), literally meaning “to have a good soul” or “to be in good spirits.” Paul uses this concept in Philippians 2:19. See G2174

Did You Know?

• In ancient Sparta, mothers would tell their sons going to battle, “Either come back with your shield or on it”—a cultural ideal of fearlessness (ἀφόβως) that contrasts with biblical fearlessness. Spartan fearlessness came from rigorous training and social pressure, while biblical ἀφόβως flows from confidence in God’s presence and promises. The Spartan mother demanded fearlessness in victory or death; our Heavenly Father grants fearlessness through His unfailing love and promised resurrection.
• The Greek philosopher Epicurus taught that achieving ἀταραξία (ataraxia, “freedom from disturbance”)—a concept related to ἀφόβως—required eliminating fear of the gods and death. He believed these fears prevented human happiness. The biblical view presents a profound contrast: true fearlessness comes not from dismissing God but from knowing Him intimately through the Messiah Jesus. We overcome fear not by denying divine reality but by embracing it fully.
• Modern psychology recognizes that not all fear is unhealthy—there’s a distinction between functional fear that protects us and dysfunctional fear that paralyzes us. This insight aligns with Scripture’s nuanced view of fear. The biblical concept of ἀφόβως doesn’t suggest elimination of all caution but freedom from debilitating fear that prevents us from fulfilling our divine calling. Even Yeshua (Jesus) experienced natural human emotions in Gethsemane, yet ultimately surrendered in trust, modeling perfect ἀφόβως service to the Father.

Remember This

Ἀφόβως represents not merely the absence of fear but the presence of divine confidence—the supernatural courage that flows when God’s perfect love casts out fear and empowers His people to serve Him with holy boldness in a world of uncertainty.