Full Assurance

 

The two words full assurance are translated in the KJV from the one Greek word, plērophoria. This word is defined as “perfect certitude,” “most certain confidence” and “complete certainty.” In the New Testament it is found 4 times.

 

        That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of         understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ.                                                                                                                                                                               COLOSSIANS 2:2

 

God not only wants us to have “understanding,” but full assurance, or complete certainty, of understanding! And, not only “riches,” but all riches! Yes, all riches of the complete certainty of understanding. If He wants us to have it, then He must be able and willing to give it.

Two of the four uses of plērophoria  are found in the book of Hebrews:

 

        And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope [text reads “the         hope”] unto the end.                                                                                                                                            HEBREWS 6:11

 

        Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith [believing], having our hearts sprinkled from an         evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.                                                                          HEBREWS 10:22

 

God desires that we have complete certainty in “the hope” of the things promised in His Word, as well as complete certainty in “believing” the things declared in His Word.  His Word is Truth. We can stake our lives on it. The fourth place plērophoria is used is in the first epistle to the Thessalonians:

 

        For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the holy spirit, and in much         assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.                       I THESSALONIANS 1:5

 

The gospel message of man’s redemption is not just an academic story that  “sounds good on paper.” It is the message of the power of God that raised His son from the dead. That same power of God is in His gift, holy spirit, that He poured out on the day of Pentecost. Each and every one who believes is filled with and spiritually-enabled with that power-full gift of holy spirit. We are sons  of God with power! God wants us to have “much assurance” -complete certainty- in all that His Word says we are, in all that He says we have, and in all that He says is to come.