Parresia is confident, unreserved speech or approach, expressed publicly, plainly, and without concealment.

The word most often marks unrestrained speech, proclamation, or action, especially where a message is spoken despite pressure or openly before others. It also describes plain, non-secret disclosure, confident approach toward God, and a confidence to be retained in hope or service.

1. Unrestrained proclamation and address · dominant

   In Acts 4:29 and Acts 4:31, the genitive singular form occurs in requests and reporting about speaking God's word amid threats. Acts 2:29, Acts 28:31, Ephesians 6:19, and Philemon 1:8 likewise place the term in clauses about speaking, teaching, making known, or commanding; in these verses the APB renders the surrounding action with expressions such as “with all boldness” and “boldly make known.”

   Acts 4:29Acts 4:31Acts 2:29Acts 28:31Ephesians 6:19Philemon 1:8
2. Open and plain disclosure · common

   The dative singular form repeatedly occurs where speech or activity is contrasted with secrecy: John 7:4 contrasts acting “in secret” with being known “openly,” and John 18:20 contrasts public teaching with speaking “nothing in secret.” In John 11:14 and John 16:25, the APB renders the surrounding statements as speaking “plainly,” while John 11:54 describes no longer walking “openly.”

   John 7:4John 18:20John 11:14John 16:25John 11:54John 10:24
3. Assured approach toward God · common

   In 1 John 3:21, the accusative singular form is connected with a heart that does not condemn and an assured stance toward God; 1 John 5:14 connects it with asking according to his will. Hebrews 4:16 and Hebrews 10:19 place it in coming near to the throne of grace and entering the holy places, and Ephesians 3:12 joins it with access through faith.

   1 John 3:211 John 5:14Hebrews 4:16Hebrews 10:19Ephesians 3:121 John 2:28
4. Confidence held fast · occasional

   In Hebrews 3:6, the accusative singular form is something to hold fast alongside the hope in view; Hebrews 10:35 warns against throwing it away because it has a great reward. In 1 Timothy 3:13, it is obtained with good standing in the faith, and the APB renders these clauses with “boldness” or “confidence.”

   Hebrews 3:6Hebrews 10:351 Timothy 3:13

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the surrounding clauses with “boldness,” but also uses “confidence,” “plainly,” and “openly” in contexts of approach, clear speech, and public action. These renderings indicate the verse-level presentation rather than a fixed English equivalent.