Bible Dictionary: Assurance

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Easton's Bible Dictionary

The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, `full bearing'] of faith" (Hebrews 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Colossians 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance of hope" (Hebrews 6:11) is a sure and well-grounded expectation of eternal glory (2 Timothy 4:7, 8). This assurance of hope is the assurance of a man's own particular salvation.

This infallible assurance, which believers may attain unto as to their own personal salvation, is founded on the truth of the promises (Hebrews 6:18), on the inward evidence of Christian graces, and on the testimony of the Spirit of adoption (Romans 8:16). That such a certainty may be attained appears from the testimony of Scripture (Romans 8:16; 1 John 2:3; 3:14), from the command to seek after it (Hebrews 6:11; 2 Peter 1:10), and from the fact that it has been attained (2 Timothy 1:12; 4:7, 8; 1 John 2:3; 4:16).

This full assurance is not of the essence of saving faith. It is the result of faith, and posterior to it in the order of nature, and so frequently also in the order of time. True believers may be destitute of it. Trust itself is something different from the evidence that we do trust. Believers, moreover, are exhorted to go on to something beyond what they at present have when they are exhorted to seek the grace of full assurance (Hebrews 10:22; 2 Peter 1:5-10). The attainment of this grace is a duty, and is to be diligently sought.

"Genuine assurance naturally leads to a legitimate and abiding peace and joy, and to love and thankfulness to God; and these from the very laws of our being to greater buoyancy, strength, and cheerfulness in the practice of obedience in every department of duty."

This assurance may in various ways be shaken, diminished, and intermitted, but the principle out of which it springs can never be lost. (see FAITH.)

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) The act of assuring; a declaration tending to inspire full confidence; that which is designed to give confidence.

2. (n.) The state of being assured; firm persuasion; full confidence or trust; freedom from doubt; certainty.

3. (n.) Firmness of mind; undoubting, steadiness; intrepidity; courage; confidence; self-reliance.

4. (n.) Excess of boldness; impudence; audacity; as, his assurance is intolerable.

5. (n.) Betrothal; affiance.

6. (n.) Insurance; a contract for the payment of a sum on occasion of a certain event, as loss or death.

7. (n.) Any written or other legal evidence of the conveyance of property; a conveyance; a deed.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ASSURANCE

a-shoor'-ans:

A term exceptionally rich in spiritual meaning. It signifies the joyous, unwavering confidence of an intelligent faith; the security of a fearless trust. The original words have to do with the heart of vital religion. baTach, "trust"; 'aman, "to prop," "to support," hence to confide in, to trust. Jesus repeatedly used this word "amen" to express the trustworthiness and abiding certainty of his sayings. pistis, "faith"; plerophoria, "full assurance." The confidence of faith is based, not on "works of righteousness which we have done" (compare Titus 3:4, 5 the King James Version) but on the highpriesthood and atoning sacrifice of Christ.

(Hebrews 10:21, 22; compare Hebrews 10:19, "boldness to enter. by the blood of Jesus," the King James Version). Assurance is the soul's apprehension of its complete emancipation from the power of evil and from consequent judgment, through the atoning grace of Christ. It is the exact opposite of self-confidence, being a joyous appropriation and experience of the fullness of Christ-a glad sense of security, freedom and eternal life in Him. This doctrine is of immeasurable importance to the life of the church and of the individual believer, as a life of spiritual doubt and uncertainty contradicts the ideal of liberty in Christ Jesus which is the natural and necessary fruitage of "the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit. shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour." Paul unhesitatingly said, "I know" (2 Timothy 1:12)-a word which, oft-repeated in 1 Jn, furnishes the groundwork of glad assurance that runs through the entire epistle. For the classic passage on "full assurance" see Colossians 2:1-10.

Dwight M. Pratt

Greek

4136. plerophoria -- full assurance
... full assurance. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: plerophoria Phonetic
Spelling: (play-rof-or-ee'-ah) Short Definition: full assurance Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4136.htm - 7k

5287. hupostasis -- a support, substance, steadiness, hence ...
... a support, substance, steadiness, hence assurance. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: hupostasis Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-os'-tas-is) Short ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5287.htm - 8k

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... Brunner). "Faith always has the element of assurance, certainty and confidence .
. . ... 1). assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

4104. pistoo -- to make trustworthy, hence to establish
... hence to establish. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: pistoo Phonetic Spelling:
(pis-to'-o) Short Definition: I convince, give assurance to Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4104.htm - 6k

1860. epaggelia -- a summons, a promise
... message, promise. From epaggello; an announcement (for information, assent or pledge;
especially a divine assurance of good) -- message, promise. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1860.htm - 7k

3954. parresia -- freedom of speech, confidence
... From pas and a derivative of rheo; all out-spokenness, ie Frankness, bluntness,
publicity; by implication, assurance -- bold (X -ly, -ness, -ness of speech ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3954.htm - 7k

1862. epaggelma -- a promise
... promise. From epaggello; a self-committal (by assurance of conferring some good) --
promise. see GREEK epaggello. (epangelma) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1862.htm - 7k

Topical Bible Verses

1 John 5:13
These things have I written to you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Topicalbible.org

Hebrews 10:22
Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Topicalbible.org

Hebrews 6:19
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil;
Topicalbible.org

1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he hears us:
Topicalbible.org

1 John 5:15
And if we know that he hear us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Topicalbible.org

2 Timothy 1:12
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day.
Topicalbible.org

Strong's Hebrew

539. aman -- to confirm, support
... 1), confirmed (5), doorposts (1), endure (1), enduring (3), established (3), faithful
(21), firm (2), fulfilled (1), guardians (3), has assurance (1), have ...
/hebrew/539.htm - 6k

983. betach -- security
... unsuspecting (2). assurance, boldly, without care, confidence, hope, safely
secure, surely. From batach; properly, a place of refuge ...
/hebrew/983.htm - 6k

4009. mibtach -- confidence
... confidence, hope, sure, trust. From batach; properly, a refuge, ie (objective) security,
or (subjective) assurance -- confidence, hope, sure, trust. ...
/hebrew/4009.htm - 6k

Library

Assurance
... 6. The application of redemption 6. Assurance. Q-xxxvi ... the end. The first benefit
flowing from sanctification is assurance of God's love. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/6 assurance.htm

On the Assurance of Salvation
... FIFTH PART ON THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION. QUERIES. " Is it possible for
any believer, without a special revelation, to be certain ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/on the assurance of salvation.htm

The Assurance of Salvation
... VI. THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION. ... Yet it will be proper to make the extent of the
boundaries of this assurance, a subject of inquiry in our convention. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/vi the assurance of salvation.htm

Assurance of Heaven; Or, a Saint Prepared to Die, 2 Tim. 4 6 7 8 ...
... Hymns. Book 1. Hymn 1:27. Assurance of heaven; or, A saint prepared to
die, 2 Tim. 4. 6 7 8 18. 1 [Death may dissolve my body now ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 1 27 assurance of heaven.htm

Faith an Assurance and a Proof.
... CHAPTER X. FAITH AN ASSURANCE AND A PROOF. "Now faith is the assurance
of things hoped for, the proving of things not seen. For ...
/.../chapter x faith an assurance.htm

Assurance.
... ASSURANCE. Napoleon and the Private. It is said of Napoleon that while he
was reviewing his army one day, his horse became frightened ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/assurance.htm

Assurance and Encouragement. --Matt. vii. 7, 8
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CXII. Assurance and Encouragement."Matt. vii. 7, 8.
6.6.6.6.8.6.8.8 James Montgomery. Assurance and Encouragement."Matthew 7:7, 8. ...
/.../sacred poems and hymns/hymn cxii assurance and encouragement matt.htm

The Assurance of Hope. --Isaiah, Liv. 10
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CLXXIV. The Assurance of Hope."Isaiah, liv. 10. ... James Montgomery.
The Assurance of Hope."Isaiah, liv.10. "The mountains shall depart,. ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn clxxiv the assurance of.htm

Sufficient Assurance May be had that Inspirations are from God. .. ...
... CHAPTER VIII. Sufficient assurance may be had that inspirations are from God.� ... Sec.
1, 2, 3. Sufficient assurance may be had that inspirations are from God. ...
/.../chapter viii sufficient assurance may.htm

This Assurance, However, is not Produced by any Peculiar ...
... Fifth Head of Doctrine Article 10 This assurance, however, is not produced
by any peculiar revelation contrary to or independent of� ...
/.../various/the canons of dordt/article 10 this assurance however.htm

Thesaurus

Assurance (16 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the
"assurance" (Gr. pistis ... acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. ...
/a/assurance.htm - 16k

Promise (112 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) That which causes hope, expectation, or assurance; especially, that which
affords expectation of future distinction; as, a youth of great promise. ...
/p/promise.htm - 42k

Retention
... of "the remission of sins." Where there was no evidence of repentance and faith,
the community of believers were unauthorized to give assurance of forgiveness ...
/r/retention.htm - 8k

Confidence (103 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The state of mind characterized by one's reliance on himself, or his
circumstances; a feeling of self-sufficiency; such assurance as leads to a feeling ...
/c/confidence.htm - 39k

Sins (351 Occurrences)
... of "the remission of sins." Where there was no evidence of repentance and faith,
the community of believers were unauthorized to give assurance of forgiveness ...
/s/sins.htm - 38k

Justification (6 Occurrences)
... This conversion broke down his philosophy of life, his Lebensgewissheit, his assurance
of salvation through works of the law done never so conscientiously and ...
/j/justification.htm - 43k

Isaac (127 Occurrences)
... After sojourning for some time in the land of the Philistines, he returned to Beersheba,
where God gave him fresh assurance of covenant blessing, and where ...
/i/isaac.htm - 60k

Triumph (52 Occurrences)
... Thus the "incense," or influence, of the apostolic gospel would be to the believer
the assurance of redemption through Christ, and to the unbeliever the ...
/t/triumph.htm - 24k

Conviction (10 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 1 Thessalonians 1:5 and that our Good News came to you not in word only,
but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. ...
/c/conviction.htm - 12k

Surety (21 Occurrences)
... Christ is the surety of the better covenant (Hebrews 7:22). In him we have the
assurance that all its provisions will be fully and faithfully carried out. ...
/s/surety.htm - 18k

Bible Concordance

Assurance (16 Occurrences)

Luke 1:1 Seeing that many have attempted to draw up a narrative of the facts which are received with full assurance among us
(WEY)

Acts 17:31 because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead."
(WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT RSV)

1 Corinthians 7:16 For what assurance have you, O woman, as to whether you will save your husband? Or what assurance have you, O man, as to whether you will save your wife?
(WEY)

Colossians 2:2 that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

1 Thessalonians 1:5 and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)

1 Timothy 3:13 For those who have served well gain for themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(See NIV)

2 Timothy 4:5 And thou -- watch in all things; suffer evil; do the work of one proclaiming good news; of thy ministration make full assurance,
(YLT)

Hebrews 3:14 For we are become companions of the Christ if indeed we hold the beginning of the assurance firm to the end;
(DBY NAS)

Hebrews 6:11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
(KJV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
(KJV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.
(WEB WEY ASV NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 28:66 and your life shall hang in doubt before you; and you shall fear night and day, and shall have no assurance of your life.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV)

1 Samuel 17:18 and bring these ten cheeses to the captain of their thousand, and see how your brothers are doing, and bring back news."
(See NIV)

Esther 9:30 He sent letters to all the Jews, to the hundred twenty-seven provinces of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, with words of peace and truth,
(See NIV)

Job 24:22 Yet God preserves the mighty by his power. He rises up who has no assurance of life.
(WEB ASV NAS NIV)

Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Subtopics

Assurance

Assurance is Abundant in the Understanding of the Gospel

Assurance is the Effect of Righteousness

Assurance: Confident Hope in God Restores

Assurance: Confirmed by Love

Assurance: David

Assurance: Give Diligence to Attain To

Assurance: Made Full by Hope

Assurance: Paul