assurance

[uh-shoo r-uh ns, -shur-] /əˈʃʊər əns, -ˈʃɜr-/
noun
1.
a positive declaration intended to give confidence:
He received assurances of support for the project.
2.
promise or pledge; guaranty; surety:
He gave his assurance that the job would be done.
3.
full confidence; freedom from doubt; certainty:
to act in the assurance of success.
4.
freedom from timidity; self-confidence; belief in one's abilities:
She acted with speed and assurance.
5.
presumptuous boldness; impudence.
6.
Chiefly British, insurance.
Origin
1325-75; Middle English ass(e)ura(u)nce < Middle French ass(e)urance. See assure, -ance
Related forms
preassurance, noun
Can be confused
assurance, insurance.
Synonyms
2. warranty, oath. 3. See trust. 4. See confidence. 5. effrontery, impertinence, nerve, cheek.
Antonyms
3–5. uncertainty.
British Dictionary definitions for assurance

assurance

/əˈʃʊərəns/
noun
1.
a statement, assertion, etc, intended to inspire confidence or give encouragement: she was helped by his assurance that she would cope
2.
a promise or pledge of support: he gave an assurance of help when needed
3.
freedom from doubt; certainty: his assurance about his own superiority infuriated her
4.
forwardness; impudence
5.
(mainly Brit) insurance providing for certainties such as death as contrasted with fire or theft
Word Origin and History for assurance
n.

late 14c., "formal or solemn pledge, promise," also "certainty," from Old French asseurance (11c., Modern French assurance) "assurance, promise; truce; certainty, safety, security," from asseurer (see assure). The word had a negative tinge 18c., often suggesting impudence or presumption.

assurance in the Bible

The resurrection of Jesus (Acts 17:31) is the "assurance" (Gr. pistis, generally rendered "faith") or pledge God has given that his revelation is true and worthy of acceptance. The "full assurance [Gr. plerophoria, 'full bearing'] of faith" (Heb. 10:22) is a fulness of faith in God which leaves no room for doubt. The "full assurance of understanding" (Col. 2:2) is an entire unwavering conviction of the truth of the declarations of Scripture, a joyful steadfastness on the part of any one of conviction that he has grasped the very truth. The "full assurance of hope" (Heb. 6:11) is a sure and well-grounded expectation of eternal glory (2 Tim. 4:7, 8). This assurance of hope is the assurance of a man's own particular salvation. This infallible assurance, which believers may attain unto as to their own personal salvation, is founded on the truth of the promises (Heb. 6:18), on the inward evidence of Christian graces, and on the testimony of the Spirit of adoption (Rom. 8:16). That such a certainty may be attained appears from the testimony of Scripture (Rom. 8:16; 1 John 2:3; 3:14), from the command to seek after it (Heb. 6:11; 2 Pet. 1:10), and from the fact that it has been attained (2 Tim. 1:12; 4:7, 8; 1 John 2:3; 4:16). This full assurance is not of the essence of saving faith. It is the result of faith, and posterior to it in the order of nature, and so frequently also in the order of time. True believers may be destitute of it. Trust itself is something different from the evidence that we do trust. Believers, moreover, are exhorted to go on to something beyond what they at present have when they are exhorted to seek the grace of full assurance (Heb. 10:22; 2 Pet. 1:5-10). The attainment of this grace is a duty, and is to be diligently sought. "Genuine assurance naturally leads to a legitimate and abiding peace and joy, and to love and thankfulness to God; and these from the very laws of our being to greater buoyancy, strength, and cheerfulness in the practice of obedience in every department of duty." This assurance may in various ways be shaken, diminished, and intermitted, but the principle out of which it springs can never be lost. (See FAITH.)