Definition and Scope:
Consoling refers to the act of providing comfort and solace to those who are experiencing grief, distress, or hardship. In the biblical context, consoling is often associated with God's compassion and the ministry of believers to one another. It encompasses both divine and human actions aimed at alleviating sorrow and providing emotional and spiritual support.

Biblical Foundation:
The concept of consoling is deeply rooted in Scripture, where God is frequently depicted as a source of comfort for His people. One of the most profound expressions of this is found in the Psalms. Psalm 34:18 states, "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit." This verse highlights God's proximity to those in distress and His active role in providing relief.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks extensively about comfort. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 , he writes, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God." This passage underscores the reciprocal nature of consoling within the Christian community, where believers are called to extend the comfort they have received from God to others.

Examples of Consoling in Scripture:
1. Job's Friends: In the Book of Job, Job's friends initially come to console him in his suffering (Job 2:11). Although their attempts eventually fall short, their initial intent reflects the human desire to provide comfort to those in distress.

2. Jesus' Ministry: Jesus Himself is portrayed as a consoler. In Matthew 11:28 , He invites the weary and burdened to come to Him for rest: "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." His ministry was marked by acts of healing and compassion, offering solace to the afflicted.

3. The Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is referred to as the "Comforter" or "Advocate" in John 14:16 , where Jesus promises, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever." The Holy Spirit's role includes providing comfort and guidance to believers.

Practical Application:
Consoling is an essential aspect of Christian life and community. Believers are encouraged to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2) and to offer encouragement and support. This can be done through prayer, words of encouragement, acts of kindness, and simply being present with those who are suffering.

Theological Significance:
Consoling reflects the character of God, who is compassionate and merciful. It is an expression of love and a demonstration of the Gospel in action. By consoling others, believers participate in God's redemptive work, bringing hope and healing to a broken world.

Conclusion:
While the Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on consoling, it ultimately points to the comfort found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. As believers experience God's comfort, they are equipped and called to extend that same comfort to others, fulfilling the law of Christ through love and compassion.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Console.

2. (a.) Adapted to console or comfort; cheering; as, this is consoling news.

3888. paramutheomai -- to encourge, comfort
... Word Origin from para and mutheomai (to speak) Definition to encourge, comfort NASB
Word Usage console (1), consoling (1), encourage (1), encouraging (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3888.htm - 7k5162. nacham -- to be sorry, console oneself
... change minds (1), changed mind (4), comfort (30), comforted (18), comforter (2),
comforters (4), comforts (2), console (3), consolers (1), consoling (1), give ...
/hebrew/5162.htm - 6k

Letter vi. --Fresh Suffering.
... Since you find my letters consoling and useful, I promise you that, wherever I may
be, to the last moment of my life, I will continue to reply to yours ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter vi fresh suffering.htm

Letter xv. --Perfect Detachment.
... prosecute the work of charity which I recommended to you, the thought occurred to
me to lay before you some of the certain and very consoling truths concerning ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/letter xv perfect detachment.htm

Letter xiv. --Abandonment in Trials.
... in this sort of privation gains more merit in the sight of God than could be acquired
by the most beautiful, the most worthy, the most consoling direction in ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter xiv abandonment in trials.htm

Melancholy.
... It is most delightful and consoling to find in persons of your age and sex that
pure joy, so frank and candid, springing out of the innocence and simplicity of ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter xx melancholy.htm

Letter viii. --violent Temptations.
... Oh! my dear Sister, how happy would be many souls that I know, if God were to
give them all the consoling advantages He bestows upon you. 7th. ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter viii violent temptations.htm

The Life of the Blessed in Heaven.
... But now the judgment is over; we have heard the consoling sentence: "Come ye, blessed
of my Father, possess the kingdom prepared for you, from the foundation ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter ix the life of.htm

Letter xi. --Remembrance of Past Sins.
... All this is very painful it is true, but what is also true and extremely consoling
is that such is the will of God, and permitted by Him that you may overcome ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter xi remembrance of past sins.htm

Profession of Soeur Therese
... But it was my turn now to ensnare him, for, to make my humiliation more complete,
I also told you everything, dear Mother, and your consoling words dispelled ...
/.../martin/the story of a soul/chapter viii profession of soeur.htm

Profession of Soeur Therese
... But it was my turn now to ensnare him, for, to make my humiliation more complete,
I also told you everything, dear Mother, and your consoling words dispelled ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/chapter viii - profession of.htm

Our Relations to the Departed
... No wonder, then, that the believer views the ghastliest fact of all in a consoling
and even a beautiful aspect; and death itself becomes but sleep. ...
/.../chapin/the crown of thorns/our relations to the departed.htm

Consoling (3 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Console. 2. (a.) Adapted to console or comfort; cheering; as, this
is consoling news. Multi-Version Concordance Consoling (3 Occurrences). ...
/c/consoling.htm - 7k

Consoled (6 Occurrences)

/c/consoled.htm - 8k

Noticed (19 Occurrences)
... John 11:31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and were consoling her,
when they saw Mary, that she rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying ...
/n/noticed.htm - 11k

Tempt (18 Occurrences)
... to faith through adversity, affliction, trouble (Luke 22:28 Acts 20:19 James 1:2
1 Peter 1:6); and yet there is no lack of evidence to the consoling fact that ...
/t/tempt.htm - 15k

Mourn (87 Occurrences)
... John 11:31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and were consoling her,
when they saw Mary, that she rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying ...
/m/mourn.htm - 38k

Consolingly (5 Occurrences)

/c/consolingly.htm - 8k

Consolation (23 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) The act of consoling; the state of being consoled;
alleviation of misery or distress of mind; refreshment of spirit; comfort ...
/c/consolation.htm - 14k

Temptation (22 Occurrences)
... to faith through adversity, affliction, trouble (Luke 22:28 Acts 20:19 James 1:2
1 Peter 1:6); and yet there is no lack of evidence to the consoling fact that ...
/t/temptation.htm - 30k

Weep (97 Occurrences)
... John 11:31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and were consoling her,
when they saw Mary, that she rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying ...
/w/weep.htm - 37k

Quickly (254 Occurrences)
... John 11:31 Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and were consoling her,
when they saw Mary, that she rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying ...
/q/quickly.htm - 35k

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