Exhortation is a significant concept within the Christian faith, often associated with encouragement, urging, and admonition towards righteous living and spiritual growth. The term is derived from the Greek word "paraklesis," which encompasses a range of meanings including comfort, encouragement, and appeal. In the context of the Bible, exhortation is a vital aspect of the ministry and communal life of believers.

Biblical Basis

Exhortation is prominently featured in the New Testament, where it is seen as a gift of the Holy Spirit and a crucial function within the church. Romans 12:6-8 highlights exhortation as a spiritual gift: "We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."

The Apostle Paul frequently engaged in exhortation, urging believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling. In 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 , Paul writes, "For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. We encouraged you, comforted you, and urged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory."

Role in the Church

Exhortation serves as a means of building up the body of Christ. It is not merely about correction but also about encouragement and motivation towards love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24-25 emphasizes this communal aspect: "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

The role of exhortation is also evident in pastoral ministry. Paul instructs Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:2 , "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction." This charge underscores the importance of exhortation in teaching and shepherding the flock.

Exhortation in Practice

Exhortation is not limited to church leaders but is a responsibility shared by all believers. Colossians 3:16 encourages mutual exhortation: "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."

The practice of exhortation involves speaking truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and requires discernment, wisdom, and a heart aligned with the Spirit. It is an expression of love and concern for the spiritual well-being of others, aiming to strengthen faith and promote holiness.

Conclusion

Exhortation is a dynamic and essential element of Christian life and ministry, fostering spiritual growth and unity within the body of Christ. Through exhortation, believers are encouraged to persevere in faith, pursue righteousness, and live out their calling in Christ Jesus.2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.
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1 Timothy 4:13
Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
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1 John 2:18
Little children, it is the last time: and as you have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
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Revelation 22:18-19
For I testify to every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add to these things, God shall add to him the plagues that are written in this book:
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James 1:22
But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
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1 John 2:1-29
My little children, these things write I to you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
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James 5:12
But above all things, my brothers, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yes be yes; and your no, no; lest you fall into condemnation.
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1. (n.) The act of practice of exhorting; the act of inciting to laudable deeds; incitement to that which is good or commendable.

2. (n.) Language intended to incite and encourage; advice; counsel; admonition.

EXHORTATION

ek-sor-ta'-shun (paraklesis):

The Greek word translated "exhortation" (paraklesis) signifies, originally, "a calling near or for" (as an advocate or helper who should appeal on one's behalf), and carries the twofold sense of "exhortation" and "consolation" (which see). In the Septuagint of the Old Testament it is used in the sense of "consolation"; but in APC 2Macc 7:24, it is translated "exhort," the Revised Version (British and American) "appeal." The verb parakaleo is also translated "exhortation" (1 Maccabees 13:3 the King James Version) and "exhort" (APC 2Macc 9:26). In the New Testament paraklesis is translated "exhortation" (Acts 13:15 Romans 12:8, the Revised Version (British and American) "exhorting"; 1 Corinthians 14:3, the English Revised Version "comfort," the American Revised Version, margin "or comfort"; 2 Corinthians 8:17 1 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:13 Hebrews 12:5; Hebrews 13:22). the American Standard Revised Version has also "exhortation," instead of "consolation" in Philippians 2:1. In Luke 3:18, parakaleo, "to call near or for," is translated "exhortation," "and many other things in his exhortation," the Revised Version (British and American) "with many other exhortations," and in Acts 20:2, parakaleo logo pollo is rendered (the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American)), "had given them much exhortation."

W. L. Walker

3931. paregoria -- exhortation, comfort
... exhortation, comfort. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: paregoria
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ay-gor-ee'-ah) Short Definition: solace, consolation ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3931.htm - 7k

3890. paramuthion -- exhortation, encouragement
... exhortation, encouragement. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: paramuthion
Phonetic Spelling: (par-am-oo'-thee-on) Short Definition: comfort ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3890.htm - 7k

3889. paramuthia -- encouragement, exhortation, comfort
... encouragement, exhortation, comfort. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
paramuthia Phonetic Spelling: (par-am-oo-thee'-ah) Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3889.htm - 7k

3874. paraklesis -- a calling to one's aid, ie encouragement ...
... comfort. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: paraklesis Phonetic Spelling:
(par-ak'-lay-sis) Short Definition: exhortation, entreaty, encouragement ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3874.htm - 8k

3560. noutheteo -- to admonish, exhort
... best. [This root () does strictly mean "chastise," though this can be --
ie with needed admonishing, correcting, exhortation, etc.]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3560.htm - 7k

3870. parakaleo -- to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage
... 5), comforted (11), comforts (2), conciliate (1), encourage (6), encouraged (4),
encouraging (3), entreat (1), exhort (8), exhortation* (1), exhortations (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3870.htm - 10k

3143. marturomai -- to summon as witness, to affirm
... Middle voice from martus; to be adduced as a witness, ie (figuratively) to obtest
(in affirmation or exhortation) -- take to record, testify. see GREEK martus. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3143.htm - 6k

1256. dialegomai -- to discuss, to address, to preach
... Middle voice from dia and lego; to say thoroughly, ie Discuss (in argument or
exhortation) -- dispute, preach (unto), reason (with), speak. see GREEK dia. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1256.htm - 8k

3056. logos -- a word (as embodying an idea), a statement, a ...
... statement, a speech NASB Word Usage account (7), account* (1), accounting (2), accounts
(2), answer (1), appearance (1), complaint (1), exhortation* (1), have ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3056.htm - 8k

4994. na -- I (we) pray, now
... particle of entreaty or exhortation Definition I (we) pray, now NASB Word Usage
Ah (2), beg (1), beseech (1), come (3), implore (1), may (1), now (159), O (2 ...
/hebrew/4994.htm - 6k

On Exhortation to Chastity
On Exhortation to Chastity. <. On Exhortation to Chastity Tertullian.
Translated by Rev. S. Thelwall Table of Contents. Title Page. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on exhortation to chastity/

Exhortation to the Heathen
Exhortation to the Heathen. <. Exhortation to the Heathen Clement
of Alexandria. Table of Contents. Title Page. Introductory ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clement/exhortation to the heathen/

The Exhortation of Barnabas
... THE EXHORTATION OF BARNABAS. [Footnote: Preached before the Congregational
Union of England and Wales.] 'Who, when he came, and had ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the exhortation of barnabas.htm

Closing Exhortation.
... CLOSING EXHORTATION. God has forgiven you all your sins; he has sanctified
you wholly. You stand to-day in the way of life; you ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/closing exhortation.htm

Exhortation to Praise.
... INTRODUCTION AND CLOSE OF WORSHIP. 3. " Exhortation to Praise. 3. SM
Montgomery. Exhortation to Praise. 1 Stand up and bless ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/3 exhortation to praise.htm

Joshua's Exhortation.
... JOSHUA'S EXHORTATION. Exhortation seems a hard word, but it simply means to strongly
urge to good deeds, and this is what our artist shows Joshua to be doing. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/joshuas exhortation.htm

An Exhortation to Peace and Unity
... AN EXHORTATION TO PEACE AND UNITY. [ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR] This treatise
was first published in 1688, after Bunyan's death, at ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exhortation to peace and.htm

An Apostolic Testimony and Exhortation
... THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER AN APOSTOLIC TESTIMONY AND EXHORTATION. '... I
have ... Him. II. Further, notice Peter's exhortation. According ...
/.../an apostolic testimony and exhortation.htm

An Advance in the Exhortation.
... CHAPTER IX. AN ADVANCE IN THE EXHORTATION. ... The exhortation, based on these
truths, is that we must lay fast hold of our confidence. ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter ix an advance in.htm

Exhortation to Prayer.
... ON PRAYER Hymn 60 Exhortation to prayer. William Cowper 8,8,8,8. Exhortation to
prayer. What various hindrances we meet. In coming to a mercy-seat? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 60 exhortation to prayer.htm

Exhortation (16 Occurrences)
... commendable. 2. (n.) Language intended to incite and encourage; advice; counsel;
admonition. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EXHORTATION. ek ...
/e/exhortation.htm - 13k

Exhort (37 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To incite by words or advice; to animate or urge by arguments, as to a good
deed or laudable conduct; to address exhortation to; to urge strongly; hence ...
/e/exhort.htm - 17k

Appeal (30 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). 2 Corinthians 8:17 For he indeed accepted our exhortation, but
being himself very earnest, he went out to you of his own accord. ...
/a/appeal.htm - 20k

Encouragement (25 Occurrences)
... 13:15 After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue
sent to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the ...
/e/encouragement.htm - 14k

Barnabas (33 Occurrences)
... bar'-na-bas (Barnabas, "son of exhortation," or possibly "son of Nebo"): This name
was applied to the associate of Paul, who was originally called Joses or ...
/b/barnabas.htm - 25k

Consolation (23 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 14:3 But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification,
exhortation, and consolation. (WEB ASV DBY NAS RSV). ...
/c/consolation.htm - 14k

Colossians (1 Occurrence)
... Colossians 2:6-3:4: He then passes to exhortation against those who are leading
them astray, these false teachers of a vain, deceiving philosophy based on ...
/c/colossians.htm - 23k

Reading (58 Occurrences)
... 13:15 After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue
sent to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the ...
/r/reading.htm - 27k

Speaketh (367 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). 1 Corinthians 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men
to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/s/speaketh.htm - 33k

Hebrews (24 Occurrences)
... But as the argument proceeds, the personal note of application, exhortation and
expostulation emerges more clearly (Hebrews 2:1; Hebrews 3:1-12; 4:1, 14; 5:11 ...
/h/hebrews.htm - 70k

What is the definition of exhortation? | GotQuestions.org

What is the gift of encouragement? | GotQuestions.org

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Exhortation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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