An Encourager

An Encourager

As I began to dig deeper into the word encourage, a similarity with another New Testament word struck me. Here is the Greek Lexicon word for encourage that is used in 2 Timothy 4:2.

Encourage

Transliterated word: Parakaleo

Phonetic spelling: par-ak-al-eh'-o

1. to call to one's side, call for, summon
2. to address, speak to, (call to, call upon), which may be done in the way of exhortation, entreaty, comfort, instruction, etc.

a. to admonish, exhort

b. to beg, entreat, beseech

1. to strive to appease by entreaty

c. to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to comfort

1. to receive consolation, be comforted

d. to encourage, strengthen

e. exhorting and comforting and encouraging

f. to instruct, teach

I remembered that I had heard a very similar word to that, the one used for The Counselor that was coming, as Jesus explained to the disciples in John 15:26. The Greek Lexicon gives the following definition for Counselor:

Counselor

Transliterated word: Parakletos

Phonetic spelling: par-ak'-lay-tos

1. summoned, called to one's side, esp. called to one's aid

a. one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader, counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate

b. one who pleads another's cause with one, an intercessor

1. of Christ in his exaltation at God's right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins

c. in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant

1. of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a deeper knowledge of the gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom

Now I’m not a Greek scholar by any means, but the similarities in the words are striking. We are called to be encouragers, just as the Holy Spirit encourages, gives insight and understanding, opens the eyes of our hearts, pleads our case before the Father and bears witness with our spirit. The only way this happens is in true relationship, remember He has been deposited in you if you are a follower of Christ. Encouragement is more than just a pat on the back or an “atta girl,” it often involves challenging someone to do the right thing, to make the right decision, to live a life worthy of the calling they have received. All of the following verses use the same word that was translated encourage in 2 Timothy 4:2. The Scriptures are from the NAS:

Romans 12:1 I urge (beseech you, beg you, plead with you, encourage you) therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

Ephesians 4:1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat (beseech you, beg you, plead with you, encourage you) you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,

1Thessalonians 4:18 Therefore, comfort (encourage, console, strengthen) one another with these words.

1Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage (instruct, teach, console, strengthen) one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

1Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge (beseech you, beg you, plead with you, encourage you) you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men.

Hebrews 3:13 But encourage (instruct, teach, console, strengthen) one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging (instructing, teaching, consoling, strengthening) one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.

Jude 1:3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing (beseeching you, begging you, pleading with you, encouraging you) that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.

Beth Moore has said that we are never more like the Father than when we love the unlovable. I wonder if we are never more like the Holy Spirit when we encourage our sisters in the faith.