2 Corinthians 3:12

The hope to which Paul referred was the confidence that he and the other apostles and Christians served God under a covenant that God would not supersede. [Note: Plummer, p. 95; Hughes, p. 107; et al.] Another view is that Paul resumed his thought from 2 Corinthians 3:4 and that this hope is the same as the confidence that he spoke of there. [Note: E.g., Hodge, p. 64.] The "boldness" (Gr. parrhesia) to which Paul referred is plainness of speech that has within it our concept of fearlessness (2 Corinthians 7:4; cf. Romans 1:16). This word originally meant fearless candor in speech but came to mean confidence or openness in action as well as in word. [Note: Harris, p. 339. See also W. C. van Unnik, "The Christian’s Freedom of Speech in the New Testament," Bulletin of the John Rylands Library of the University of Manchester 44:2 (1962):466-88; and idem, "’With Unveiled Face,’ and Exegesis of 2 Corinthians iii 12-18," Novum Testamentum 6:2-3 (1963):153-69.] We can be confident and certain in our mission as well as in our message, though here Paul was speaking specifically of his speech.