Antioquia

Greek word · Strong G3870

What does exhort mean?

To exhort, in the Bible, is to call someone to your side and urge them on in the right way — not to scold. It is the Greek parakaleo, from para, “beside”, and kaleo, “to call”, which the King James translates “beseech”, “exhort” and “comfort”: the same word pleads, urges and consoles.

παρακαλέω

parakaléō · transliteration

In Strong’s lexicon
to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
In the King James
  • besought21
  • beseech19
  • exhort14
  • comforted13
  • comfort9
  • desired5
  • pray4
  • exhorted3
Appears in
104 verses

See the full G3870 entry →Also in the lexicon: G3874 παράκλησις · G3875 παράκλητος

The meaning of exhort in the Bible

That is why exhorting and comforting go together. God “comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble” (2 Corinthians 1:4), and Jesus calls the Holy Spirit parakletos, from the same family: “he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16). Barnabas, whose surname means “The son of consolation” (Acts 4:36), is the picture of it: he came to Antioch, saw the grace of God, was glad, “and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord” (Acts 11:23).

Exhorting is everyone's task, not only preachers': “exhort one another daily, while it is called To day” (Hebrews 3:13). It is also a gift (Romans 12:8) and part of the work of those who teach: “reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2) — firmness comes with patience.

Where exhort appears

2 Corinthians 1:4

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
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John 14:16

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
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Acts 11:23

Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.
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1 Thessalonians 5:11

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
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Hebrews 3:13

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
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2 Timothy 4:2

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between exhort and rebuke?
To rebuke is to point out what is wrong; to exhort is to call someone toward what is right and urge them to follow it. Paul asks for both together, “with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2), and in Titus 2:15: “These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority”.
What is the gift of exhortation?
The ability to encourage and strengthen others in the faith, listed among the gifts of Romans 12:8: “he that exhorteth, on exhortation”. Barnabas, “The son of consolation” (Acts 4:36), is the best-known example.

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