πεποίθησις (pepoithēsis)

The noun pepoithēsis denotes a deep-seated confidence or trust in God. It appears six times in the New Testament, primarily within Paul’s letters to the Corinthians, Ephesians, and Philippians. The word conveys more than simple hope; it implies a settled assurance that comes from relying on divine promise rather than human ability.

Its root lies in the verb peithō, meaning to persuade or trust. Thayer notes that pepoithēsis derives from the perfect tense of this verb, emphasizing a state of having been convinced and remaining secure in that conviction. This grammatical aspect highlights a confidence that is already established and stable, not tentative or fleeting.

Paul uses this term to describe his boldness before God (2 Corinthians 3:4) and his access to God through Christ (Ephesians 3:12). In Philippians 3:4, he contrasts his own confidence in the flesh with a higher trust in Christ. The word often appears with prepositions like "in" or "toward," specifying the object of this trust—always God or His promises.

Translators typically render pepoithēsis as "confidence" or "boldness." It captures the inner security that allows believers to approach God freely. This confidence is not self-generated but flows from the relationship with Christ, enabling a life marked by openness and reliance on divine grace.