τολμάω
tolmaō
be bold
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word "τολμάω" (tolmaō) is a verb that means "to be bold" or "to dare." It appears 16 times in the Bible, indicating its importance in the language and thought of the ancient Greeks. In its basic sense, "τολμάω" conveys a sense of confidence and courage, suggesting that someone is willing to take risks or challenge the status quo. The range of usage for "τολμάω" is quite broad, encompassing various contexts such as social interactions, spiritual experiences, and moral decisions. For example, it can describe someone who is bold in their speech (e.g., speaking truth to power), bold in their actions (e.g., taking a stand against injustice), or bold in their faith (e.g., trusting in God's promises). This versatility suggests that "τολμάω" is a fundamental concept in the Greek language, one that is essential for understanding the values and attitudes of the ancient Greeks. The significance of "τολμάω" lies in its emphasis on the importance of courage and confidence in the face of uncertainty or adversity. In a world where fear and doubt often hold sway, "τολμάω" encourages individuals to be bold, to take risks, and to trust in their own abilities and resources. This mindset is not only essential for personal growth and development but also for creating positive change in the world around us.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
16 total occurrences across the text
No one was able to answer him a word, neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that day forward.
Mark 12:34When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.” No one dared ask him any question after that.
Mark 15:43Joseph of Arimathaea, a prominent council member who also himself was looking for God’s Kingdom, came. He boldly went in to Pilate, and asked for Jesus’ body.
Luke 20:40They didn’t dare to ask him any more questions.
John 21:12Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast!” None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.
Acts 5:13None of the rest dared to join them, however the people honored them.
Acts 7:32‘I am the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ Moses trembled, and dared not look.
Romans 5:7For one will hardly die for a righteous man. Yet perhaps for a righteous person someone would even dare to die.
Romans 15:18For I will not dare to speak of any things except those which Christ worked through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed,
1 Corinthians 6:1Dare any of you, having a matter against his neighbor, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?
2 Corinthians 10:2Yes, I beg you that I may not, when present, show courage with the confidence with which I intend to be bold against some, who consider us to be walking according to the flesh.
2 Corinthians 10:12For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with some of those who commend themselves. But they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.
2 Corinthians 11:21I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet in whatever way anyone is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.
2 Corinthians 11:21I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet in whatever way anyone is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.
Philippians 1:14and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.
Jude 1:9But Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil and arguing about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him an abusive condemnation, but said, “May the Lord rebuke you!”