Lexical Summary plérophoria: Full assurance, complete certainty, full conviction Original Word: πληροφορία Strong's Exhaustive Concordance full assurance. From plerophoreo; entire confidence -- (full) assurance. see GREEK plerophoreo HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4136 plērophoría – properly, full carry-through ("fully come to bear"). See 4135 (plērophoreō). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom plérophoreó Definition full assurance NASB Translation conviction (1), full assurance (3). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4136: πληροθοριαπληροθορια, πληροθοριας, ἡ (πληροθορέω, which see), fullness, abundance; πίστεως, Hebrews 10:22; τῆς ἐλπίδος, Hebrews 6:11; τῆς συνέσεως, Colossians 2:2; full assurance, most certain confidence (see πληροθορέω, c. (others give it the same meaning in one or other of the preceding passages also; cf. Lightfoot on Colossians, the passage cited)), 1 Thessalonians 1:5. (Not found elsewhere except in ecclesiastical writings (cf. Winer's Grammar, 25).) Topical Lexicon Meaning and Theological Essence Strong’s Greek 4136 points to a state of “full assurance” or settled conviction born of God’s work rather than human optimism. Scripture portrays it as the Spirit-wrought certainty that unites mind, heart, and will in confident rest upon divine truth. Such assurance is never detached from Christ, never autonomous, and never presumes upon grace; it is the mature fruit of believing, obeying, and persevering in the gospel. Occurrences and Contextual Nuances • 1 Thessalonians 1:5—assurance that the gospel’s proclamation is authentic. Together these passages show a comprehensive pattern: proclamation, worship, perseverance, and understanding are all strengthened by Spirit-given certainty. Full Assurance and the Gospel (1 Thessalonians 1:5) “...our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with full conviction.” Evangelistic ministry is authenticated when both message and messenger are attended by divine power. The Thessalonian believers could see that Paul’s team spoke, lived, and suffered with unwavering confidence. Modern missions still draw on this dynamic: when the Word is preached in dependence on the Spirit, hearers discern a credibility beyond persuasion techniques. Full Assurance and Faith (Hebrews 10:22) “Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Here assurance is anchored in Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). Cleansed worshipers approach God without lingering guilt. Pastoral application includes encouraging believers to replace self-doubt with Christ-centered confidence, fostering vibrant prayer and corporate worship. Full Assurance and Hope (Hebrews 6:11) “We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that the full assurance of your hope may come to pass.” Perseverance is the context; diligent service guards against sluggishness (Hebrews 6:12). Assurance of hope develops through laboring in love, not through passive introspection. Churches cultivate it by calling saints to active ministry, reminding them that steadfast service evidences genuine faith. Full Assurance and Understanding (Colossians 2:2) “That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so they may have the full knowledge of the mystery of God, namely Christ.” Paul opposes speculative philosophies by pointing believers to the sufficiency of Christ. Intellectual certainty is linked to communal love; isolation breeds doubt, whereas shared life in the body nourishes confidence. Seminary classrooms, small groups, and Christian households alike foster assurance when love and truth converge. Interrelation with Covenant Certainty Old-testament saints expressed confidence in God’s steadfast love (for example, Psalm 23:6). The New Covenant elevates this confidence: sins are decisively forgiven, the conscience is cleansed, and the Spirit indwells. Hence the New-Testament term carries covenantal weight—believers possess a legal standing and an experiential reality that confirms the promises. Historical Reception Early church writings (e.g., Ignatius, Polycarp) echo the need for unwavering conviction amidst persecution. During the Reformation, assurance became a hallmark of evangelical faith, countering the late-medieval anxiety over salvation. The Puritans stressed that genuine assurance issues in holiness, not laxity. Throughout revivals—Wesleyan, Great Awakenings, modern evangelicalism—preachers have urged hearers to seek Spirit-borne certainty rather than emotional excitement alone. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Preaching: Proclaim Christ with clarity and dependence on the Spirit, trusting God to impart conviction. Pastoral Counseling When believers confess anxiety over their standing, guide them through Hebrews 10:19-23. Encourage regular remembrance of baptismal cleansing and participation in the Lord’s Supper, tangible signs that reinforce assurance. Challenge sin lovingly, for unrepentant patterns erode confidence (1 John 3:19-22), while confessed sin restores it (1 John 1:9). Corporate Discipleship and Mission Congregations that embody “full assurance” become bold witnesses. Confidence in the gospel liberates resources, fuels sacrificial giving, and emboldens cross-cultural missions. Conversely, institutions that drift into doctrinal skepticism or moral compromise lose their prophetic edge. Conclusion Strong’s 4136 depicts a Spirit-engendered certainty that permeates proclamation, worship, perseverance, and understanding. Rooted in Christ’s completed work, it matures through obedient love and communal life, empowering believers to live and minister with unshakable confidence until faith becomes sight. Forms and Transliterations πληροφορια πληροφορία πληροφορίᾳ πληροφοριαν πληροφορίαν πληροφοριας πληροφορίας plerophoria plērophoria plerophoríāi plērophoríāi plerophorian plerophorían plērophorian plērophorían plerophorias plerophorías plērophorias plērophoríasLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Colossians 2:2 N-GFSGRK: πλοῦτος τῆς πληροφορίας τῆς συνέσεως NAS: the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, KJV: riches of the full assurance of understanding, INT: riches of the full assurance of understanding 1 Thessalonians 1:5 N-DFS Hebrews 6:11 N-AFS Hebrews 10:22 N-DFS Strong's Greek 4136 |