I say "frankly" when I'm ready to move on. Maybe I'm in a conversation that seems inefficient or circular. Maybe everyone's holding back a little, unwilling to commit. "Frankly" says, "I'm going to tell you the unvarnished truth. It may be a bit blunt, but I'm hoping this breaks the logjam and allows us to move forward."
The word comes originally from the Franks, who dominated Western Europe from the fifth to the ninth centuries. The word "frank" refers to the unique freedom they enjoyed as the ruling class. The word "disenfranchised" comes from the same root, and means to lose a right or a privilege. The word "frankincense" by the way, means the very best incense, good enough for the Franks. (See the article "Frank" on haggardhawks.com.)
"Frankly" appears twice in the scriptures, both times associated with forgiveness. The first appears in one of the parables of Jesus:
There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.
And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both.
Luke 7:41-42
In modern English, there is a matter-of-factness about this statement. "Frankly forgiving" sounds like something you just do, without a lot of fanfare, because it's the right thing to do. But the Greek word translated "frankly forgave," echarisato (ἐχαρίσατο), is a derivative of the word for grace, charis (χάρις). So the Greek word emphasizes the generosity and kindness of the act.
Here's the other passage:
And it came to pass that they were sorrowful, because of their wickedness, insomuch that they did bow down before me, and did plead with me that I would forgive them of the thing that they had done against me.
And it came to pass that I did frankly forgive them all that they had done.
1 Nephi 7:20-21
Nephi's brothers had just tied him up and threatened to abandon him in the wilderness "to be devoured by wild beasts" (1 Nephi 7:16). Previously, they had beaten him and another brother with a rod. (See 1 Nephi 3:28.) He had plenty of reason for resentment, but he was willing to let it all go, and quickly. In this context, the freedom associated with the word "frankly" seems to accrue as much to Nephi as to his brothers. He was free of the burden he might have carried if he had borne a grudge or refused the forgiveness they sought.
One of the definitions of "frank" in Webster's 1828 Dictionary is "Free; without conditions or compensation; as a frank gift." I like that phrase: "without conditions or compensation." So often, we are tempted to withhold forgiveness until the offender demonstrates sufficient contrition or repairs the damage done. Frank forgiveness, in contrast, doesn't care about any of that. It's a gift, and it doesn't have to be earned. And it's incredibly freeing! There is no debt on the books, no obligation to monitor, no probation to enforce. The slate is clean, and everyone can move forward with a fresh start.
Today, I will frankly forgive. I will let things go and move on. I will provide this gift freely and generously, in an attitude of grace, expecting nothing in return.
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