# Confidence ## Ignatius Catholic Study Bible *Confidence* ([[1-john-04#^1-john-04-17|1 Jn 4:17]]) - *Parrēsia* (Gk.): means "boldness", "courage", or "outspokenness". The term is found four times in 1 John and 27 times in the rest of the NT. Often used in the context of speech, it describes words that are clear and straightforward ([[john-11#^john-11-14|Jn 11:14]]; [[john-16#^john-16-25|16:25]]), as well as words that), as well as words that), as well as words that), as well as words that), as well as words that), as well as words that are spoken openly and publicly ([[john-07#^john-07-26|Jn 7:26]]; [[acts-of-the-apostles-28#^acts-of-the-apostles-28-31|Acts 28:31]]). In a similar way, it refers to the confidence that believers have when they approach God with their prayers ([[hebrews-04#^hebrews-04-16|Heb 4:16]]; [[1-john-05#^1-john-05-14|1 Jn 5:14]]). The term is used several times in 1 John for the sense of security that Christians have in their relationship with God. It is not presumption, but the filial boldness of a child before his Father that allows us to live on open terms with the Lord without a servile or inordinate fear of his judgment ([[1-john-02#^1-john-02-28|1 Jn 2:28]]; [[1-john-03#^1-john-03-21|3:21]]; [[1-john-04#^1-john-04-17|4:17]]) (CCC 2778). ### Sources [[23-first-john-commentary#^05ubsf|Confidence — word study]] ## Divine Intimacy Meditations - Too much self-confidence prevents the soul from having recourse to God with full —: [[63-jesus-calms-the-tempest#Meditation 2|63,2]]; - God admits to His intimacy only souls completely free from self-confidence [[108-humility-and-confidence#Meditation 2|108,2]]; - — in God increases in the measure of one’s humility and diffidence in self: [[108-humility-and-confidence#Meditation 2|108,2]]; [[217-firm-confidence#Meditation 1|217,1]], [[217-firm-confidence#Meditation 2|217,2]]; - soul who trusts itself is not mature in sanctity and the apostolate: [[135-the-meek-lamb#Meditation 2|135,2]]; - should have recourse to God with all —: [[63-jesus-calms-the-tempest#Meditation 2|63,2]]; - unlimited — in the infinite merits of Jesus: [[175-efficacious-prayer#Meditation 2|175,2]]; - and in divine Providence: [[239-divine-providence#Meditation 2|239,2]]; - we should trust ourselves to God because we are His children [[245-our-riches#Meditation 1|245,1]]; - to trust in God even to daring: [[247-the-motive-for-hope#Meditation 2|247,2]]; - the more — we have in God, the stronger we shall be: [[295-perseverance-and-confidence#Meditation 2|295,2]]; - — in God in temptations: [[98-the-great-combat#Meditation 2|98,2]]; [[215-the-heart-of-jesus-our-refuge#Meditation 2|215,2]]; [[252-correspondence-with-grace#Meditation 1|252,1]]; - in trials: [[119-the-multiplication-of-the-loaves#Meditation 2|119,2]]; - in suffering: [[129-the-daily-cross#Meditation 2|129,2]]; [[130-suffering-and-abandonment#Meditation 2|130,2]]; - in temptations to discouragement: [[248-the-test-of-hope#Meditation 2|248,2]]; - in the anguish of purifying trials: [[352-interior-trials#Meditation 2|352,2]]; [[354-confidence-and-abandonment#Meditation 1|354,1]], [[354-confidence-and-abandonment#Meditation 2|354,2]]; - — in God in spite of one’s own miseries and failings [[108-humility-and-confidence#Meditation 1|108,1]], [[108-humility-and-confidence#Meditation 2|108,2]]; [[109-humility-in-our-falls#Meditation 2|109,2]]; [[210-merciful-love#Meditation 2|210,2]]; [[215-the-heart-of-jesus-our-refuge#Meditation 2|215,2]]; [[217-firm-confidence#Meditation 1|217,1]], [[217-firm-confidence#Meditation 2|217,2]]; [[247-the-motive-for-hope#Meditation 2|247,2]]; [[249-boundless-hope#Meditation 2|249,2]]; [[252-correspondence-with-grace#Meditation 1|252,1]]; [[280-the-ten-lepers#Meditation 2|280,2]]; [[295-perseverance-and-confidence#Meditation 2|295,2]]; [[352-interior-trials#Meditation 2|352,2]]; - the more we experience our impotency and our nothingness, so much the more we rely on God with full —: [[247-the-motive-for-hope#Meditation 1|247,1]]; - to make use of our miseries to show God how much we need His help and to increase our — in Him: [[249-boundless-hope#Meditation 2|249,2]]; - we should go to Jesus because we are sinners: [[280-the-ten-lepers#Meditation 2|280,2]]; - want of — in God lessens capacity to love: [[109-humility-in-our-falls#Meditation 2|109,2]]; - and paralyzes spiritual life: [[217-firm-confidence#Meditation 2|217,2]]; - — in government of God through the commands of superiors: [[123-supernatural-obedience#Meditation 2|123,2]]; - — in God is vain if not accompanied by works: [[175-efficacious-prayer#Meditation 2|175,2]]. - See: [[hope|Hope]]. ### Sources - [[63-jesus-calms-the-tempest|63. Jesus Calms the Tempest]] - [[98-the-great-combat|98. The Great Combat]] - [[108-humility-and-confidence|108. Humility and Confidence]] - [[109-humility-in-our-falls|109. Humility in Our Falls]] - [[119-the-multiplication-of-the-loaves|119. The Multiplication of the Loaves]] - [[123-supernatural-obedience|123. Supernatural Obedience]] - [[129-the-daily-cross|129. The Daily Cross]] - [[130-suffering-and-abandonment|130. Suffering and Abandonment]] - [[135-the-meek-lamb|135. The Meek Lamb]] - [[175-efficacious-prayer|175. Efficacious Prayer]] - [[210-merciful-love|210. Merciful Love]] - [[215-the-heart-of-jesus-our-refuge|215. The Heart of Jesus Our Refuge]] - [[217-firm-confidence|217. Firm Confidence]] - [[239-divine-providence|239. Divine Providence]] - [[245-our-riches|245. Our Riches]] - [[247-the-motive-for-hope|247. The Motive For Hope]] - [[248-the-test-of-hope|248. The Test of Hope]] - [[249-boundless-hope|249. Boundless Hope]] - [[252-correspondence-with-grace|252. Correspondence With Grace]] - [[280-the-ten-lepers|280. The Ten Lepers]] - [[295-perseverance-and-confidence|295. Perseverance and Confidence]] - [[352-interior-trials|352. Interior Trials]] - [[354-confidence-and-abandonment|354. Confidence and Abandonment]]