Great is my boldness of speech. — The context shows that he is not apologising for bold and plain speaking, but uses the word as implying confidence (1 Timothy 3:13; Philemon 1:8). He can speak without reticence now, because he is going to express his comfort and joy at what had been reported to him.
I am exceeding joyful. — Literally, I exceedingly abound (or, overflow) in joy. The verb is the same as in Romans 5:20, and answers to the “pressed above measure” which he had used in 2 Corinthians 1:8, in speaking of his troubles.