βεβαίωσις (bebaiōsis)
bebaiōsis
confirmation
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun bebaiōsis means a firm confirmation or ratification. It describes the act of making something established and unshakeable, moving beyond mere promise to solid assurance. In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, carrying significant weight in both letters.
In Philippians 1:7, Paul uses it to describe his confidence that God’s work among the believers is firmly confirmed. He views their partnership in the gospel not as a fragile arrangement, but as something secured by divine action. This usage highlights the stability of Christian fellowship and mission.
Hebrews 6:16 offers a striking contrast by linking bebaiōsis to human oaths. The text notes that people swear by someone greater than themselves, and this oath serves as a confirmation for them in every dispute. Here, the word reflects a legal or business context where a guarantee removes doubt and settles matters definitively.
Its root verb, bebaioō, implies making firm or steadfast. The sources note its connection to LXX usage where it translates Hebrew terms for permanence. Translators often render it as "confirmation" or "ratification," capturing the sense of something being made valid and secure through authoritative action.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word bebaiōsis carries the sense of making something firm or established. It moves beyond a simple promise to solid assurance. In Philippians, Paul uses it to describe his confidence that God’s work among believers is secure. He sees their partnership in the gospel as something held fast by divine action, not fragile human effort.
This stability offers comfort when our own plans feel uncertain. The term also appears in Hebrews regarding oaths. There it serves as a final confirmation to settle disputes. Both uses point to reliability. They remind us that God’s commitments are unshakeable and His promises remain firm through every season of life.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in confirmation1×
- confirmation1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- βεβαίωσιν1×
- βεβαιώσει1×
Key Verses
-
Philippians 1:7
It is even right for me to think this way on behalf of all of you, because I have you in my heart, because both in my bonds and in the defense and confirmation of the Good News, you all are partakers with me of grace.
Paul applies this term to the believers' participation in the defense of the gospel, highlighting their secure partnership in grace.
-
Hebrews 6:16
For men indeed swear by a greater one, and in every dispute of theirs the oath is final for confirmation.
The text links this noun to human oaths that serve as a final confirmation to resolve disputes definitively.