Greek word · G870

ἀφόβως

aphobōs

fearlessly

An adverb built from the negative prefix a- ('un-') and phobos ('fear'). It means 'without fear'. Depending on context it can mean (a) free from danger or intimidation, safe and at ease, or (b) bold and unafraid. In a negative setting it can also mean (c) shameless, with no proper fear.

Appears 4 times in 4 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ἀφόβως

adv. (φόβος), [in LXX: Proverbs 1:33 (פַּחַד), Wisdom of Solomon 17:4 * ;]

without fear: Luke 1:74, Philippians 1:14, 1 Corinthians 16:10, Jude 1:12.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of 1 Corinthians 16:10

Range of meaning

An adverb built from the negative prefix a- ('un-') and phobos ('fear'). It means 'without fear'. Depending on context it can mean (a) free from danger or intimidation, safe and at ease, or (b) bold and unafraid. In a negative setting it can also mean (c) shameless, with no proper fear.

Against the English

KJV, WEB and YLT keep it literal: 'without fear'. BSB and NIV make it situational: 'has nothing to fear'. ESV turns it into something the church does for him: 'put him at ease'. NLT turns it into a prohibition: 'don't intimidate him'. All of these are defensible. The Greek describes Timothy's condition among them, and the imperative makes the church responsible for that condition.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the NT it appears only four times. Luke 1:74: rescued from enemies, to serve God 'without fear' (safety from hostile power). Phil 1:14: the brothers dare to speak the word 'fearlessly' (boldness under pressure). Jude 12: false teachers feasting 'without fear', meaning shamelessly. The Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) uses it in Proverbs 1:33 for dwelling securely ('will dwell in hope and be at rest without fear of any evil').

From the study of Luke 1:74

Range of meaning

Without fear or alarm. It is used of being unafraid in the face of threat (Phil 1:14, "to speak the word without fear"; 1 Cor 16:10, Timothy being with the Corinthians "without fear"). In Jude 12 it has a negative sense: shamelessly, without any restraint.

Against the English

"Without fear" is accurate. The danger is reading it as "without the fear of God," as if reverence had been abolished. The fear removed here is fear of hostile people. Reverence for God is assumed in the next verse ("in holiness and righteousness before him").

Used elsewhere in the period

In Prov 1:33 LXX, whoever listens to wisdom "will dwell in confidence and be at rest without fear (aphobōs) of any evil." The idea is the security promised in the covenant: Lev 26:6 ("no one shall make you afraid"), Mic 4:4, Jer 30:10, Ezek 34:28.

Where it appears

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 1:74 ἀφόβως without fear

    deliverance from hostile hands, that we may serve Him without fear,

    Here: It stands first in the clause for emphasis. It describes the condition under which Israel will worship: no longer under threat, no longer afraid of the enemy's power. Most readers take it with "to serve."

1 Corinthians · 1

  1. 1 Corinthians 16:10 ἀφόβως without fear

    If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, just as I am.

    Here: Literally 'un-fearingly'. Timothy should have no reason to feel threatened, intimidated or anxious among them. The word describes the conditions the church must create for him, not his character.

Philippians · 1

  1. Philippians 1:14 ἀφόβως fearlessly

    And most of the brothers, confident in the Lord by my chains, now dare more greatly to speak the word without fear.

    Here: Repeats the idea of daring for emphasis: they take the risk and they are not afraid while doing it.

Jude · 1

  1. Jude 1:12 ἀφόβως fearlessly

    These men are hidden reefs in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted.

    Here: Not 'bravely' but 'with no fear of God': brazenly, with no sense of standing before the Lord at his meal. It may go with 'feasting' or with 'shepherding'; the Greek allows either.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.