ἀποτολμάω

I assume boldness

Definition

The verb ἀποτολμάω means to be very bold, to dare, or to have the courage to speak or act in a way that goes beyond normal social or personal restraint. It carries the sense of venturing or presuming to do something with a degree of audacity. In its single New Testament occurrence in Romans 10:20, it describes the prophet Isaiah's bold declaration about God making Himself known to those who were not seeking Him. The word implies a confident, forward action, often in the face of potential opposition or surprise.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Romans 10:20. The Apostle Paul quotes Isaiah 65:1 (from the Septuagint, the Greek Old Testament) where God says, 'I was found by those who did not seek me; I became manifest to those who did not ask for me.' Paul uses the phrase 'ἀποτολμᾷ καὶ λέγει' ('he dares to say') to introduce Isaiah's prophetic word. The usage is in a context of divine revelation and prophetic boldness, highlighting the surprising and gracious initiative of God toward the Gentiles.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition ἀπό (apo), often meaning 'from' or indicating origin or intensity, and the verb τολμάω (tolmaō, G5111), which means 'to dare' or 'to have courage.' The compound form intensifies the base meaning, suggesting 'to dare forth' or 'to be especially bold.' It is a relatively rare compound verb, emphasizing an act of courageous speaking or venturing.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it frames a key moment of divine revelation. In Romans 10:20, it describes the boldness of God's prophetic word in announcing His grace to the unexpected—the Gentiles. It underscores the theme of God's sovereign initiative in salvation, breaking human expectations. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading by highlighting the prophetic audacity required to declare such a counter-intuitive truth: that God actively reveals Himself to those not traditionally seeking Him, a cornerstone of Paul's argument for the inclusion of the Gentiles in God's plan.

In the Greco-Roman world, boldness in speech (παρρησία, parrhesia) was a valued virtue, but it had to be balanced with social propriety. For a prophet to 'dare to say' something was to speak a potentially controversial or surprising divine message that challenged conventional wisdom. In the context of Isaiah and Paul, this boldness directly confronted Jewish exclusivity by proclaiming God's outreach to the nations.

τολμάω (tolmaō, G5111) — The root verb, meaning simply 'to dare' or 'to be bold,' without the intensive prefix. παρρησιάζομαι (parrhesiazomai, G3955) — To speak freely, openly, or with plainness; often used for bold proclamation of the gospel.

Word Details

Scripture References