The Ministry of Comfort

Sermon Functional Outline

2Corinthians 1:3-11

The Ministry of Comfort

Passage Subject: How can the Corinthians receive the ministry of comfort?

Passage Complement: They can look to God as the source of all comfort.

Passage Idea: The Corinthians can receive the ministry of comfort by looking to God as the source of all comfort.

Why is this passage here? (FCF)

God's strength is being affirmed as our source of comfort in our times of weakness.

THEREFORE---

Theological Subject: Since God's strength is our source of comfort in our times of weakness, how are we to receive his comfort?

Theological Complement: We receive his comfort through the ways that he provides to draw us to himself as the source of all strength.

Theological Idea: Since God's strength is our source of comfort in our times of weakness, we must receive his comfort through the ways that he provides.

(Paul's functional question---Eplanation: Explain it. What does this mean?)

Receiving God's comfort in the ways that he provides means:

Theological Outline:

I. We must look to God as the channel of comfort.

(vv. 3-4)

II. We must receive Christ as the catalyst of comfort.

(v. 5)

III. We must respond in ministry to others as the communion of comfort.

(vv. 6-7)

IV. We must embrace faith for the completion of comfort.

(vv. 8-10)

V. We must practice prayer for the communication of comfort.

(v. 11)

Timeless Truth: Since God is the source of all comfort, he administers his comfort in ways that direct us to himself.

Prayer Tim Glover

Sermon Introduction

2Corinthians 1:3-11

The Ministry of Comfort

(Please stand for the reading of our portion from God's Word this morning.)

I. Illustration

Do you remember the public health programs the government used to run in the grade schools to inoculate all the kids against small pox, diphtheria, whooping cough, etc.? Maybe the public health service still does this but I don't think it is such a major program anymore. In my school we used to go into the gym where the nurses set up a station with bottles and needles and disinfectant and gauze. It smelled like a hospital and looked just as frightening. They all wore those white lab coats and uniforms. Our teacher, Mrs. Coacher, made us line up single file and I'm sure most of us thought we were being led to the slaughter. Those needles looked awful big and they always held the syringe up to test for air removal which didn't help any. There was always a certain point where lips started to quiver and eyes started to water. It was a deathly silence until someone screamed. Then all bedlam would break loose.

But then one time Mrs. Coacher decided to try something different. As we began to line up she went to the smallest boy in class, you know, the one everybody else picks on, and said, "Eugene, I wonder if you would volunteer to lead the way today and be the first one in line to show the others that there is nothing to fear." Eugene hesitated for a moment and our teacher explained to him that the nurse gives the shot to keep us from being sick and he would have a big part to play in keeping his classmates healthy. Eugene promptly rolled up both his sleeves, walked to the head of the line and said, "I'm not afraid. What's a little shot anyway if its' going to keep me from getting really sick." He took his shot bravely and the rest followed suit. There may have been a whimper or two, but the idea was that if he could do it, so could anybody else. Eugene led the way and in his own place and time deserved a bronze star for bravery in action.

II. Need

We all need a hero from time to time in life to get us past the rough spots - when a loved one dies or sickness threatens death, when a marriage breaks up or sin seems to get its way, when a life's work burns up or that steady job is lost and the threat of financial collapse looms large over us, when children go astray or trusted friends betray, when the church splits and the beloved work of Christ falls prey to the enemy - the list is long and depressing and tends to keep us guessing. These are the realities of life in a sinful world, but there is comfort.

You see, there is a little bit of Eugene in every one of us. We may be small and weak but we can be comforted by trusting those in charge of us and we can be a comfort to others in return. Confidence and bravery build upon themselves to lift us up together just like uncertainty and fear bear down in compounded fashion to weaken us. There is always room for a champion. Often, all it takes to be a champion is to focus upon the greater truth. There is a place for grief but there is an even greater place for the truth that brings us through it. We ask the wrong question when we wonder why we have to suffer by taking that awful tasting medicine, when the truth is that we take that awful tasting medicine so we won't have to suffer.

This doesn't mean that suffering isn't real. R.C. Sproul in his book, Reason to Believe, lists four false approaches to suffering: deny its reality, stoically rise above it, escape it through abandon, or recklessly defy it. The fifth, and correct option is to live through it, and that is where we come in as a community of believers because we have an infinite resource to help us. R.C. Sproul goes on to say, "We may not be able to pin down our suffering as any consequence for a particular sin. But we should certainly allow the occasion of our suffering to be at the same time an occasion for an evaluation of our relationship to God."

Eugene, in that school gym, had to believe that the nurse was working for his good. But he couldn't have gotten that far if it weren't for Mrs. Coacher that helped him to see it. She made it all possible for Eugene to live through the experience and Eugene in turn helped all his classmates. His faith in the nurse was built up and he communicated that faith to the others.

III. Transition

Will we trust God's strength as our source of comfort in our times of weakness? If so, we must receive his comfort through the means that he provides. This is the point Paul is making as he begins Second Corinthians. In First Corinthians, Paul addresses a number of issues that have caused divisions and problems in the church. These have now largely been corrected, but now an additional concern has surfaced in which false teachers among the Corinthians have openly come forward to challenge both Paul's personal integrity and his authority as an apostle. His opening purpose in Second Corinthians is different from his other letters in the N.T. where he usually begins with thanking God for the work of God he sees evident in those he is writing to. Here, however, he builds his own credibility as the one whom God has worked through to bring them comfort, something that his antagonists could not claim. In fact, he has suffered even to the point of death for them but his purpose is to point them to God as the source of all comfort. Paul just wants them to be aware of his part in the process in hopes that they, too, will join him in the ministry of comfort as they are drawn to God together. God's strength will be their source of comfort even through their many weaknesses.

Since God's strength is also our source of comfort in our times of weakness, we must receive his comfort through the ways that he provides. There are five ways in this passage by which God administers his comfort to us in order to draw us to himself as the source of all comfort. Let us visualize them: (Display Overhead)

1. We must look to God as the channel of comfort.

2. We must receive Christ as the catalyst of comfort.

3. We must respond in ministry to others as the communion of comfort.

4. We must embrace faith for the completion of comfort.

5. We must practice prayer for the communication of comfort.

IV. Word Study

Just what does the word "comfort" mean anyway? Related N.T. biblical use of the Greek word refers mainly to encouragement, comfort, consolation, or exhortation. The idea of a message, an appeal, or even preaching also appears in the sense of "to admonish consolation". Words meaning "comfort" are used at least ten times in this passage, making it the most concentrated use of anywhere in the N.T. 2 Cor. itself uses the word more often than any other book in accordance with its major theme of "comfort in the midst of affliction" and with "strength in the midst of weakness" being its chief emphasis. The Greek word in our sense here means to "call alongside" and is related to the word for the Holy Spirit as an Advocate and Comforter in concert with Christ.

Related Greek words and their English translations give the sense of a soothing medication as any word of encouragement of reproof which leads to correct behavior where there is an appeal to the conscience, will, and reasoning faculties. It means "that which is contrary to myth" in the sense of bringing someone back to truth as opposed to sadness, sorrow, affliction, trouble, anguish , distress, dejection, grief, or pain. The truth is that God is the God of comfort because he is the one who is in control. We are "called alongside" in order to be strengthened by his truth. Comfort in English literally means "to intensify strength" and God is our source of strength (Phil. 4:13). The English synonym "console" means to "help support". To be comforted would be the end result of successful consolation to combat affliction or distress by drawing near to God as the source of all truth and strength. The one who comforts enables this by speaking the soothing word of encouragement either as an appeal or an exhortation, or maintains a presence that speaks volumes even without words as one who comes alongside.

Now that we have this information, let us take a closer look at our passage.

Tim Glover

Sermon Delivery Outline

2Corinthians 1:3-11

The Ministry of Comfort

Textualize Visualize Contextualize

What must we do in order to experience God’s ministry of comfort to us?

I. We must look to God as the channel of comfort.

II. We must receive Christ as the catalyst of comfort.

III. We must respond in ministry to others as the communion of comfort.

IV. We must embrace faith for the completion of comfort.

V. We must practice prayer for the communication of comfort.

(There are five ways by which God administers his comfort to us in order to draw us to himself as the source of all comfort.)

The first way in which God draws us to himself as the source of all comfort is that:

I. We must look to God as the channel of comfort.

vv. 3-4 - read

(Functional Question: Why must we look to God as the channel of comfort?) because:

A. Comfort begins with God.

B. His comfort becomes ours when we turn to him in times of need.

C. His purpose in comfort goes beyond ourselves.

(Transition Statement: If God is the source and channel of comfort, then Christ is the catalyst that makes God's comfort infinitely available.)

The second way in which God draws us to himself as the source of all comfort is that:

II. We must receive Christ as the catalyst of comfort.

v. 5 - read

(Functional Question: Why must we receive Christ as the catalyst of comfort?) because:

A. The abundance of Christ's sufferings for us gives meaning to our sufferings for Christ.

B. The comfort of God through the sufferings of Christ become abundantly ours as we turn to God through Christ.

(Transition Statement: If Christ is the catalyst that makes God's comfort infinitely available, then ministry to others in his name will bring them into that same communion of comfort with us.)

The third way in which God draws us to himself as the source of all comfort is that:

III. We must respond in ministry to others as the communion of comfort.

vv. 6-7 - read

(Functional Question: Why must we respond in ministry to others as the communion of comfort?) because:

A. Just as Christ's suffering works salvation and comfort in our lives, so also our suffering for Christ works salvation and comfort in others.

B. This ministry of comfort reproduces the hope of endurance that is ours in Christ to form a company in communion with him as we share distress and comfort together.

(Transition Statement: If our ministry to others in the name of Christ brings them into that same communion of comfort with us, then we complete their comfort and ours as we embrace faith in God together.)

The fourth way in which God draws us to himself as the source of all comfort is that:

IV. We must embrace faith for the completion of comfort.

vv. 8-10 - read

(Functional Question: Why must we embrace faith for the completion of comfort?) because:

A. The shared testimony of the comfort of God's deliverance through suffering focuses the faith of others, as well as ourselves, upon God.

B. The testimony of past deliverance provides the resource of faith in God for future deliverance, both near and far.

(Transition Statement: If we complete their comfort and ours as we embrace faith in God together, then that faith is communicated to God through the practice of prayer.)

The fifth way in which God draws us to himself as the source of all comfort is that:

V. We must practice prayer for the communication of comfort.

v. 11 - read

(Functional Question: Why must we practice prayer for the communication of comfort?) because:

A. The communication of prayer energizes the people of God to stand together in expectation of the comfort of God's deliverance.

B. The comfort of God's deliverance in answer to the prayers of many will attract many others to God in thankfulness.

Conclusion

Repeat - Review - Restate

Timeless Truth: Since God is the source of all comfort, he administers his comfort in ways that direct us to himself.

(1) We are directed to God as the channel of comfort.

(2) We are directed to God through Christ as the catalyst of comfort.

(3) We are directed to God as we minister the communion of his comfort to others.

(4) We are directed to God in faith as his comfort completes its work in us..

(5) We are directed to God in thankfulness for answered prayer as the communication of comfort.

But what does this mean to us? What is our part and responsibility? How are we to yield to God's direction in order to receive his comfort?

(1) We must look to God.

(2) We must receive Christ.

(3) We must respond in ministry.

(4) We must embrace faith.

(5) We must practice prayer.

Benediction

2Thessalonians 2:16-17

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Greek Word Study

on

Paraklesis

I. Primary Passage for Greek Word to be Studied: AV - NIV

(Strong's #3874, G/K # 4155)

paraklesis {par-ak'-lay-sis} paraklhsiV

2Corinthians 1:3-11

3. Blessed <2128> [be] God <2316>, even <2532> the Father <3962> of our <2257> Lord <2962> Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>, the Father <3962> of mercies <3628>, and <2532> the God <2316> of all <3956> comfort <3874>; 3. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

4 Who <3588> comforteth <3870> (5723) us <2248> in <1909> all <3956> our <2257> tribulation <2347>, that <1519> we <2248> may be able <1410> (5738) to comfort <3870> (5721) them which are in <1722> any <3956> trouble <2347>, by <1223> the comfort <3874> wherewith <3739> we <3870> (0) ourselves <846> are comforted <3870> (5743) of <5259> God <2316>. 4 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.

5 For <3754> as <2531> the sufferings <3804> of Christ <5547> abound <4052> (5719) in <1519> us <2248>, so <3779> our <2257> consolation <3874> also <2532> aboundeth <4052> (5719) by <1223> Christ <5547>. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

6 And <1161> whether <1535> we be afflicted <2346> (5743), [it is] for <5228> your <5216> consolation <3874> and <2532> salvation <4991>, which <3588> is effectual <1754> (5734) in <1722> the enduring <5281> of the same <846> sufferings <3804> which <3739> we <2249> also <2532> suffer <3958> (5719): or whether <1535> we be comforted <3870> (5743), [it is] for <5228> your <5216> consolation <3874> and <2532> salvation <4991>. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.

7. And <2532> our <2257> hope <1680> of <5228> you <5216> [is] stedfast <949>, knowing <1492> (5761), that <3754> as <5618> ye are <2075> (5748) partakers <2844> of the sufferings <3804>, so <3779> [shall ye be] also <2532> of the consolation <3874>. 7. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

8 For <1063> we would <2309> (5719) not <3756>, brethren <80>, have <50> (0) you <5209> ignorant <50> (5721) of <5228> our <2257> trouble <2347> which <3588> came <1096> (5637) to us <2254> in <1722> Asia <773>, that <3754> we were pressed <2596> out <916> (5681) of measure <5236>, above <5228> strength <1411>, insomuch <5620> that we <2248> despaired <1820> (5683) even <2532> of life <2198> (5721): 8 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.

9 But <235> we had <2192> (5758) the sentence <610> of death <2288> in <1722> ourselves <1438>, that <2443> <3363> (0) we should <3982> (0) not <3363> trust <3982> (5756) in <1909> ourselves <1438> <5600> (5753), but <235> in <1909> God <2316> which <3588> raiseth <1453> (5723) the dead <3498>: 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

10 Who <3739> delivered <4506> (5673) us <2248> from <1537> so great <5082> a death <2288>, and <2532> doth deliver <4506> (5736): in <1519> whom <3739> we trust <1679> (5758) that <3754> he will <4506> (0) <2532> yet <2089> deliver <4506> (5695) [us]; 10 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us,

11 Ye <5216> also <2532> helping together <4943> (5723) by prayer <1162> for <5228> us <2257>, that <2443> for the gift <5486> [bestowed] upon <1519> us <2248> by <1537> the means of many <4183> persons <4383> thanks may be <2168> (5686) given <5228> by <1223> many <4183> on our behalf <2257>. 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

II. Exegesis of Primary Passage for Meaning of Greek Word in Context

50 agnoeo {ag-no-eh'-o}

from 1 (as a negative particle) and 3539; TDNT - 1:115,18; v

AV - be ignorant 7, ignorant 4, know not 4, understand not 3,

ignorantly 2, unknown 2; 22

1) to be ignorant, not to know

2) not to understand, unknown

3) to err or sin through mistake, to be wrong

80 adelphos {ad-el-fos'}

from 1 (as a connective particle) and delphus (the womb);

TDNT - 1:144,22; n m

AV - brother 346; 346

1) a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the

same father or mother

2) having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same

people, or countryman

3) any fellow or man

4) a fellow believer, united to another by the bond of affection

5) an associate in employment or office

6) brethren in Christ

6a) his brothers by blood

6b) all men

6c) apostles

6d) Christians, as those who are exalted to the same heavenly place

235 alla {al-lah'}

neuter plural of 243;; conj

AV - but 573, yea 15, yet 11, nevertheless 10, howbeit 9, nay 4,

therefore 3, save 2, not tr 2, misc 8; 637

1) but

1a) nevertheless, notwithstanding

1b) an objection

1c) an exception

1d) a restriction

1e) nay, rather, yea, moreover

1f) forms a transition to the cardinal matter

610 apokrima {ap-ok'-ree-mah}

from 611 (in its original sense of judging); TDNT - 3:945,469; n n

AV - sentence 1; 1

1) an answer

1a) 2Co. 1:9 where the meaning is "on asking myself whether I should

come out safe from mortal peril, I answered 'I must Die'"

773 Asia {as-ee'-ah}

of uncertain derivation;; n pr loc

AV - Asia 19; 19

Asia = "orient"

1) Asia proper or proconsular Asia embracing Mysia, Lydia, Phrygia,

and Caria, corresponding closely to Turkey today

846 autos {ow-tos'}

from the particle au [perhaps akin to the base of 109 through the

idea of a baffling wind] (backward);; pron

AV - him 1947, them 1148, her 195, it 152, not tr. 36, misc 1676; 5118

1) himself, herself, themselves, itself

2) he, she, it

3) the same

Wigram's frequency count is 4913 not 5117.

916 bareo {bar-eh'-o}

from 926; TDNT - 1:558,95; v

AV - be heavy 3, be pressed 1, be burdened 1, be charged 1; 6

1) to burden, weigh down, depress

949 bebaios {beb'-ah-yos}

from the base of 939 (through the idea of basality);

TDNT - 1:600,103; adj

AV - stedfast 4, sure 2, firm 1, of force 1, more sure 1; 9

1) stable, fast, firm

2) metaph. sure, trusty

1063 gar {gar}

a primary particle;; conj

AV - for 1027, misc 28, not tr 12; 1067

1) for

1096 ginomai {ghin'-om-ahee}

a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb;

TDNT - 1:681,117; v

AV - be 255, come to pass 82, be made 69, be done 63, come 52,

become 47, God forbid + 3361 15, arise 13, have 5, be fulfilled 3,

be married to 3, be preferred 3, not tr 14, misc 4, vr done 2; 678

1) to become, i.e. to come into existence, begin to be, receive being

2) to become, i.e. to come to pass, happen

2a) of events

3) to arise, appear in history, come upon the stage

3a) of men appearing in public

4) to be made, finished

4a) of miracles, to be performed, wrought

5) to become, be made

1161 de {deh}

a primary particle (adversative or continuative);; conj

AV - but 1237, and 935, now 166, then 132, also 18, yet 16, yea 13,

so 13, moreover 13, nevertheless 11, for 4, even 3, misc 9,

not tr 301; 2871

1) but, moreover, and, etc.

Frequency count based on Scrivener's 1894 Greek New Testament. J.B.

Smith listed no count.

1162 deesis {deh'-ay-sis}

from 1189; TDNT - 2:40,144; n f

AV - prayer 12, supplication 6, request 1; 19

1) need, indigence, want, privation, penury

2) a seeking, asking, entreating, entreaty to God or to man

For Synonyms see entry 5828

1223 dia {dee-ah'}

a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act;

TDNT - 2:65,149; prep

AV - by 241, through 88, with 16, for 58, for ... sake 47,

therefore + 5124 44, for this cause + 5124 14, because 53,

misc 86; 647

1) through

1a) of place

1a1) with

1a2) in

1b) of time

1b1) throughout

1b2) during

1c) of means

1c1) by

1c2) by the means of

2) through

2a) the ground or reason by which something is or is not done

2a1) by reason of

2a2) on account of

2a3) because of for this reason

2a4) therefore

2a5) on this account

1410 dunamai {doo'-nam-ahee}

of uncertain affinity; TDNT - 2:284,186; v

AV - can (could) 100, cannot + 3756 45, be able 37, may (might) 18,

able 3, misc 7; 210

1) to be able, have power whether by virtue of one's own ability and

resources, or of a state of mind, or through favourable

circumstances, or by permission of law or custom

2) to be able to do something

3) to be capable, strong and powerful

1411 dunamis {doo'-nam-is}

from 1410; TDNT - 2:284,186; n f

AV - power 77, mighty work 11, strength 7, miracle 7, might 4,

virtue 3, mighty 2, misc 9; 120

1) strength power, ability

1a) inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its

nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth

1b) power for performing miracles

1c) moral power and excellence of soul

1d) the power and influence which belong to riches and wealth

1e) power and resources arising from numbers

1f) power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts

For Synonyms see entry 5820

1438 heautou {heh-ow-too'} (including all other cases)

from a reflexive pronoun otherwise obsolete and the genitive case

(dative case or accusative case) of 846;; pron

AV - himself 110, themselves 57, yourselves 36, ourselves 20,

his 19, their 15, itself 9, misc 73; 339

1) himself, herself, itself, themselves

1453 egeiro {eg-i'-ro}

probably akin to the base of 58 (through the idea of collecting

one's faculties); TDNT - 2:333,195; v

AV - rise 36, raise 28, arise 27, raise up 23, rise up 8,

rise again 5, raise again 4, misc 10; 141

1) to arouse, cause to rise

1a) to arouse from sleep, to awake

1b) to arouse from the sleep of death, to recall the dead to life

1c) to cause to rise from a seat or bed etc.

1d) to raise up, produce, cause to appear

1d1) to cause to appear, bring before the public

1d2) to raise up, stir up, against one

1d3) to raise up i.e. cause to be born

1d4) of buildings, to raise up, construct, erect

1492 eido {i'-do} or oida {oy'-da}

a root word; TDNT - 5:116, *; v

AV - know 282, cannot tell + 3756 8, know how 7, wist 6, misc 19,

see 314, behold 16, look 5, perceive 5, vr see 3, vr know 1; 666

1) to see

1a) to perceive with the eyes

1b) to perceive by any of the senses

1c) to perceive, notice, discern, discover

1d) to see

1d1) i.e. to turn the eyes, the mind, the attention to anything

1d2) to pay attention, observe

1d3) to see about something

1d31) i.e. to ascertain what must be done about it

1d4) to inspect, examine

1d5) to look at, behold

1e) to experience any state or condition

1f) to see i.e. have an interview with, to visit

2) to know

2a) to know of anything

2b) to know, i.e. get knowledge of, understand, perceive

2b1) of any fact

2b2) the force and meaning of something which has definite meaning

2b3) to know how, to be skilled in

2c) to have regard for one, cherish, pay attention to (1Th. 5:12)

For Synonyms see entry 5825

1519 eis {ice}

a primary preposition; TDNT - 2:420,211; prep

AV - into 573, to 281, unto 207, for 140, in 138, on 58,

toward 29, against 26, misc 321; 1773

1) into, unto, to, towards, for, among

Wigram's frequency count is 1770 not 1773.

++++

"For" (as used in Acts 2:38 "for the forgiveness...") could have two

meanings. If you saw a poster saying "Jesse James wanted for

robbery", "for" could mean Jesse is wanted so he can commit a

robbery, or is wanted because he has committed a robbery. The later

sense is the correct one. So too in this passage, the word "for"

signifies an action in the past. Otherwise, it would violate the

entire tenor of the NT teaching on salvation by grace and not by works.

1535 eite {i'-teh}

from 1487 and 5037;; conj

AV - or 33, whether 28, or whether 3, if 1; 65

1) if ... if

2) whether ... or

1537 ek {ek} or ex {ex}

a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or

motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal

or figurative;; prep

AV - of 367, from 181, out of 162, by 55, on 34, with 25, misc 97; 921

1) out of, from, by, away from

1679 elpizo {el-pid'-zo}

from 1680; TDNT - 2:517,229; v

AV - trust 18, hope 10, hope for 2, things hoped for 1, vr hope 1; 32

1) to hope

1a) in a religious sense, to wait for salvation with joy and

full confidence

2) hopefully to trust in

1680 elpis {el-pece'}

from a primary elpo (to anticipate, usually with pleasure);

TDNT - 2:517,229; n f

AV - hope 53, faith 1; 54

1) expectation of evil, fear

2) expectation of good, hope

2a) in the Christian sense

2a1) joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation

3) on hope, in hope, having hope

3a) the author of hope, or he who is its foundation

3b) the thing hoped for

1722 en {en}

a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time

or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or

constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between

1519 and 1537); TDNT - 2:537,233; prep

AV - in 1874, by 141, with 134, among 117, at 112, on 46,

through 37, misc 321; 2782

1) in, by, with etc.

Wigram's frequency count is 2798 not 2782.

1754 energeo {en-erg-eh'-o}

from 1756; TDNT - 2:652,251; v

AV - work 12, show forth (one's) self 2, wrought 1, be effectual 1,

effectually work 1, effectual fervent 1, work effectually in 1,

be might in 1, to do 1; 21

1) to be operative, be at work, put forth power

1a) to work for one, aid one

2) to effect

3) to display one's activity, show one's self operative

1820 exaporeomai {ex-ap-or-eh'-om-ahee}

middle voice from 1537 and 639;; v

AV - despair 1, in despair 1; 2

1) to be utterly at loss, be utterly destitute of measures or

resources, to renounce all hope, be in despair

1909 epi {ep-ee'}

a root;; prep

AV - on 196, in 120, upon 159, unto 41, to 41, misc 338; 895

1) upon, on, at, by, before

2) of position, on, at, by, over, against

3) to, over, on, at, across, against

2075 este {es-teh'}

second person plural present indicative of 1510;; v

AV - are 82, be 5, is 2, belong to 1, have been 1, not tr 1; 92

1) second person plural of "to be"

2089 eti {et'-ee}

perhaps akin to 2094;; adv

AV - yet 52, more 34, any more 5, still 4, further 4, longer 3,

misc 15; 117

1) yet, still

1a) of time

1a1) of a thing which went on formerly, whereas now a

different state of things exists or has begun to exist

1a2) of a thing which continues at present

1a2a) even, now

1a3) with negatives

1a3a) no longer, no more

1b) of degree and increase

1b1) even, yet

1b2) besides, more, further

2128 eulogetos {yoo-log-ay-tos'}

from 2127; TDNT - 2:764,275; adj

AV - blessed (said of God) 8; 8

1) blessed, praised

2168 eucharisteo {yoo-khar-is-teh'-o}

from 2170; TDNT - 9:407,1298; v

AV - give thanks 26, thank 12, be thankful 1; 39

1) to be grateful, feel thankful

2) give thanks

2192 echo {ekh'-o}

including an alternate form scheo {skheh'-o}, used in certain

tenses only), a primary verb; TDNT - 2:816,286; v

AV - have 613, be 22, need + 5532 12, misc 63, vr have 2; 712

1) to have, i.e. to hold

1a) to have (hold) in the hand, in the sense of wearing, to have

(hold) possession of the mind (refers to alarm, agitating

emotions, etc.), to hold fast keep, to have or comprise or

involve, to regard or consider or hold as

2) to have i.e. own, possess

2a) external things such as pertain to property or riches or

furniture or utensils or goods or food etc.

2b) used of those joined to any one by the bonds of natural blood

or marriage or friendship or duty or law etc, of attendance or

companionship

3) to hold one's self or find one's self so and so, to be in such or

such a condition

4) to hold one's self to a thing, to lay hold of a thing, to adhere

or cling to

4a) to be closely joined to a person or a thing

2198 zao {dzah'-o}

a primary verb; TDNT - 2:832,290; v

AV - live 117, be alive 9, alive 6, quick 4, lively 3,

not tr 1, misc 2, vr live 1; 143

1) to live, breathe, be among the living (not lifeless, not dead)

2) to enjoy real life

2a) to have true life and worthy of the name

2b)active, blessed, endless in the kingdom of God

3) to live i.e. pass life, in the manner of the living and acting

3a) of mortals or character

4) living water, having vital power in itself and exerting the

same upon the soul

5) metaph. to be in full vigour

5a) to be fresh, strong, efficient,

5b) as adj. active, powerful, efficacious

2248 hemas {hay-mas'}

accusative case plural of 1473;; pron

AV - us 148, we 25, our 2, us-ward + 1519 2, not tr 1; 178

1) us, we, our etc.

2249 hemeis {hay-mice'}

nom. plural of 1473;; pron

AV - we 123, us 3, we ourselves 1; 127

1) us, we etc.

2254 hemin {hay-meen'}

dative case plural of 1473;; pron

AV - us 161, we 13, our 2, for us 1; 177

1) us, we, our

2257 hemon {hay-mone'}

genitive case plural of 1473;; pron

AV - our 313, us 82, we 12, not tr 1, misc 2; 410

1) our, we, us

2288 thanatos {than'-at-os}

from 2348; TDNT - 3:7,312; n m

AV - death 117, deadly 2; 119

1) the death of the body

1a) that separation (whether natural or violent) of the soul and

the body by which the life on earth is ended

1b) with the implied idea of future misery in hell

1b1) the power of death

1c) since the nether world, the abode of the dead, was conceived as

being very dark, it is equivalent to the region of thickest

darkness i.e. figuratively, a region enveloped in the darkness

of ignorance and sin

2) metaph., the loss of that life which alone is worthy of the name,

2a) the misery of the soul arising from sin, which begins on earth

but lasts and increases after the death of the body in hell

3) the miserable state of the wicked dead in hell

4) in the widest sense, death comprising all the miseries

arising from sin, as well physical death as the loss of a life

consecrated to God and blessed in him on earth, to be followed

by wretchedness in hell

2309 thelo {thel'-o} or ethelo {eth-el'-o} in certain tenses

theleo {thel-eh'-o} and etheleo {eth-el-eh'-o} which are

otherwise obsolete

apparently strengthened from the alternate form of 138;

TDNT - 3:44,318; v

AV - will/would 159, will/would have 16, desire 13, desirous 3,

list 3, to will 2, misc 4; 210

1) to will, have in mind, intend

1a) to be resolved or determined, to purpose

1b) to desire, to wish

1c) to love

1c1) to like to do a thing, be fond of doing

1d) to take delight in, have pleasure

2316 theos {theh'-os}

of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the

supreme Divinity; TDNT - 3:65,322; n m

AV - God 1320, god 13, godly 3, God-ward + 4214 2, misc 5; 1343

1) a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities

2) the Godhead, trinity

2a) God the Father, the first person in the trinity

2b) Christ, the second person of the trinity

2c) Holy Spirit, the third person in the trinity

3) spoken of the only and true God

3a) refers to the things of God

3b) his counsels, interests, things due to him

4) whatever can in any respect be likened unto God, or resemble him in

any way

4a) God's representative or viceregent

4a1) of magistrates and judges

2346 thlibo {thlee'-bo}

akin to the base of 5147; TDNT - 3:139,334; v

AV - trouble 4, afflict 3, narrow 1, throng 1, suffer tribulation 1; 10

1) to press (as grapes), press hard upon

2) a compressed way

2a) narrow straitened, contracted

3) metaph. to trouble, afflict, distress

2347 thlipsis {thlip'-sis}

from 2346; TDNT - 3:139,334; n f

AV - tribulation 21, affliction 17, trouble 3, anguish 1,

persecution 1, burdened 1, to be afflicted + 1519 1; 45

1) a pressing, pressing together, pressure

2) metaph. oppression, affliction, tribulation, distress, straits

2424 Iesous {ee-ay-sooce'}

of Hebrew origin 03091; TDNT - 3:284,360; n pr m

AV - Jesus 972, Jesus (Joshua) 2, Jesus (Justus) 1; 975

Jesus = "Jehovah is salvation"

1) Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses' successor

2) Jesus, son of Eliezer, one of the ancestors of Christ

3) Jesus, the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind, God incarnate

4) Jesus Barabbas was the captive robber whom the Jews begged Pilate

to release instead of Christ

5) Jesus, surnamed Justus, a Jewish Christian, an associate with

Paul in the preaching of the gospel

2443 hina {hin'-ah}

probably from the same as the former part of 1438 (through the

demonstrative idea, cf 3588); TDNT - 3:323,366; conj

AV - that 536, to 69, for to 8, not translated 1, misc 7; 621

1) that, in order that, so that

++++

Wigram's frequency count is 580 not 621. The original J.B. Smith

count is 665 but this includes many places where the word is

assigned a different Strong's number because it is used in a phrase.

2531 kathos {kath-oce'}

from 2596 and 5613;; adv

AV - as 138, even as 36, according as 4, when 1, according to 1,

how 1, as well as + 2532 1; 182

1) according as

1a) just as, even as

1b) in proportion as, in the degree that

2) since, seeing that, agreeably to the fact that

3) when, after that

2532 kai {kahee}

apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes

also a cumulative force;; conj

AV - and 8182, also 515, even 108, both 43, then 20, so 18,

likewise 13, not tr. 354, misc 46, vr and 1; 9280

1) and, also, even, indeed, but

++++

Frequency count based on 1894 Scrivener Greek New Testament.

2596 kata {kat-ah'}

a primary particle;; prep

AV - according to 107, after 61, against 58, in 36, by 27,

daily + 2250 15, as 11, misc 165; 480

1) down from, through out

2) according to, toward, along

2844 koinonos {koy-no-nos'}

from 2839; TDNT - 3:797,447; n m

AV - partaker 5, partner 3, fellowship 1, companion 1; 10

1) a partner, associate, comrade, companion

2) a partner, sharer, in anything

2a) of the altar in Jerusalem on which the sacrifices are offered

2a1) sharing in the worship of the Jews

2b) partakers of (or with) demons

2b1) brought into fellowship with them, because they are the

authors of heathen worship

2962 kurios {koo'-ree-os}

from kuros (supremacy); TDNT - 3:1039,486; n m

AV - Lord 667, lord 54, master 11, sir 6, Sir 6, misc 4; 748

1) he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has

power of deciding; master, lord

1a) the possessor and disposer of a thing

1a1) the owner; one who has control of the person, the master

1a2) in the state: the sovereign, prince, chief, the Roman emperor

1b) is a title of honour expressive of respect and reverence,

with which servants salute their master

1c) this title is given to: God, the Messiah

For Synonyms see entry 5830

3363 hina me {hin'-ah may}

from 2443 and 3361;; conj particle

AV - that not 45, lest 43, that ... no 6, that nothing + 5100 1,

albeit not 1, so that not 1; 97

1) lest, that ... not

3498 nekros {nek-ros'}

from an apparently primary nekus (a corpse); TDNT - 4:892,627; adj

AV - dead 132; 132

1) properly

1a) one that has breathed his last, lifeless

1b) deceased, departed, one whose soul is in Hades

1c) destitute of life, without life, inanimate

2) metaph.

2a) spiritually dead

2a1) destitute of a life that recognises and is devoted to God,

because given up to trespasses and sins

2a2) inactive as respects doing right

2b) destitute of force or power, inactive, inoperative

3588 ho {ho} including the feminine he {hay},

and the neuter to {to}

in all their inflections, the definite article;; article

AV - which 413, who 79, the things 11, the son 8, misc 32; 543

1) this, that, these, etc.

Only significant renderings other than "the" counted

3628 oiktirmos {oyk-tir-mos'}

from 3627; TDNT - 5:159,680; n m

AV - mercy 5; 5

1) compassion, pity, mercy

1a) bowels in which compassion resides, a heart of compassion

1b) emotions, longings, manifestations of pity

For Synonyms see entry 5842

3739 hos {hos} including feminine he {hay}, and neuter ho {ho}

probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article 3588);; pron

AV - which 395, whom 262, that 129, who 84, whose 53, what 42,

that which 20, whereof 13, misc 430; 1393

1) who, which, what, that

++++

Wigram's count is 1308 not 1393.

3754 hoti {hot'-ee}

neuter of 3748 as conjunction; demonst. that (sometimes redundant);; conj

AV - that 612, for 264, because 173, how that 21, how 11, misc 212; 1293

1) that, because, since

3756 ou {oo} also (before a vowel) ouk {ook} and

(before an aspirate) ouch {ookh}

a primary word, the absolute negative [cf 3361] adverb;; particle

AV - not 1214, no 136, cannot + 1410 55, misc 48; 1453

1) no, not; in direct questions expecting an affirmative answer

Wigram's frequency count is 1535 not 1453.

3779 houto {hoo'-to} or (before a vowel} houtos {hoo'-toce}

from 3778;; adv

AV - so 164, thus 17, even so 9, on this wise 6, likewise 4,

after this manner 3, misc 10; 213

1) in this manner, thus, so

3804 pathema {path'-ay-mah}

from a presumed derivative of 3806; TDNT - 5:930,798; n n

AV - suffering 11, affliction 3, affection 1, motion 1; 16

1) that which one suffers or has suffered

1a) externally, a suffering, misfortune, calamity, evil, affliction

1a1) of the sufferings of Christ

1a2) also the afflictions which Christians must undergo in

behalf of the same cause which Christ patiently endured

1b) of an inward state, an affliction, passion

2) an enduring, undergoing, suffering

3870 parakaleo {par-ak-al-eh'-o}

from 3844 and 2564; TDNT - 5:773,778; v

AV - beseech 43, comfort 23, exhort 21, desire 8, pray 6, intreat 3,

misc 4, vr besought 1; 109

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.

2a) to admonish, exhort

2b) to beg, entreat, beseech

2b1) to strive to appease by entreaty

2c) to console, to encourage and strengthen by consolation, to

comfort

2c1) to receive consolation, be comforted

2d) to encourage, strengthen

2e) exhorting and comforting and encouraging

2f) to instruct, teach

3874 paraklesis {par-ak'-lay-sis}

from 3870; TDNT - 5:773,778; n f

AV - consolation 14, exhortation 8, comfort 6, intreaty 1; 29

1) a calling near, summons, (esp. for help)

2) importation, supplication, entreaty

3) exhortation, admonition, encouragement

4) consolation, comfort, solace; that which affords comfort or refreshment

4a) thus of the Messianic salvation (so the Rabbis call the Messiah

the consoler, the comforter)

5) persuasive discourse, stirring address

5a) instructive, admonitory, conciliatory, powerful hortatory discourse

3875 parakletos {par-ak'-lay-tos}

a root word; TDNT - 5:800,782; n m

AV - comforter 4, advocate 1; 5

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

1a) one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader,

counsel for defense, legal assistant, an advocate

1b) one who pleads another's cause with one, an intercessor

1b1) of Christ in his exaltation at God's right hand, pleading

with God the Father for the pardon of our sins

1c) in the widest sense, a helper, succourer, aider, assistant

1c1) 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

3956 pas {pas}

including all the forms of declension; TDNT - 5:886,795; adj

AV - all 748, all things 170, every 117, all men 41, whosoever 31,

everyone 28, whole 12, all manner of 11, every man 11,

no + 3756 9, every thing 7, any 7, whatsoever 6,

whosoever + 3739 + 302 3, always + 1223 3, daily + 2250 2,

any thing 2, no + 3361 2, not tr 7, misc 26; 1243

1) individually

1a) each, every, any, all, the whole, everyone, all things,

everything

2) collectively

2a) some of all types

++++

... "the whole world has gone after him" Did all the world go after

Christ? "then went all Judea, and were baptized of him in Jordan."

Was all Judea, or all Jerusalem, baptized in Jordan? "Ye are of God,

little children", and the whole world lieth in the wicked one". Does

the whole world there mean everybody? The words "world" and "all" are

used in some seven or eight senses in Scripture, and it is very

rarely the "all" means all persons, taken individually. The words are

generally used to signify that Christ has redeemed some of all sorts

-- some Jews, some Gentiles, some rich, some poor, and has not

restricted His redemption to either Jew or Gentile ...

C.H. Spurgeon from a sermon on Particular Redemption

3958 pascho {pas'-kho} including the forms (patho {path'-o}

and pentho {pen'-tho}), used only in certain tenses for it

apparently a root word; TDNT - 5:904,798; v

AV - suffer 39, be vexed 1, passion + 3588 1, feel 1; 42

1) to be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a

sensible experience, to undergo

1a) in a good sense, to be well off, in good case

1b) in a bad sense, to suffer sadly, be in a bad plight

1b1) of a sick person

3962 pater {pat-ayr'}

apparently a root word; TDNT - 5:945,805; n m

AV - Father 268, father 150; 419

1) generator or male ancestor

1a) either the nearest ancestor: father of the corporeal

nature, natural fathers, both parents

1b) a more remote ancestor, the founder of a race or tribe,

progenitor of a people, forefather: so Abraham is called,

Jacob and David

1b1) fathers i.e. ancestors, forefathers, founders of a race

1c) one advanced in years, a senior

2) metaph.

2a) the originator and transmitter of anything

2a1) the authors of a family or society of persons animated by

the same spirit as himself

2a2) one who has infused his own spirit into others, who

actuates and governs their minds

2b) one who stands in a father's place and looks after another

in a paternal way

2c) a title of honour

2c1) teachers, as those to whom pupils trace back the knowledge

and training they have received

2c2) the members of the Sanhedrin, whose prerogative it was by

virtue of the wisdom and experience in which they excelled,

to take charge of the interests of others

3) God is called the Father

3a) of the stars, the heavenly luminaries, because he is their

creator, upholder, ruler

3b) of all rational and intelligent beings, whether angels or

men, because he is their creator, preserver, guardian and

protector

3b1) of spiritual beings and of all men

3c) of Christians, as those who through Christ have been

exalted to a specially close and intimate relationship with

God, and who no longer dread him as a stern judge of

sinners, but revere him as their reconciled and loving Father

3d) the Father of Jesus Christ, as one whom God has united to

himself in the closest bond of love and intimacy, made

acquainted with his purposes, appointed to explain and carry

out among men the plan of salvation, and made to share also

in his own divine nature

3d1) by Jesus Christ himself

3d2) by the apostles

3982 peitho {pi'-tho}

a primary verb; TDNT - 6:1,818; v

AV - persuade 22, trust 8, obey 7, have confidence 6, believe 3,

be confident 2, misc 7; 55

1) persuade

1a) to persuade, i.e. to induce one by words to believe

1b) to make friends of, to win one's favour, gain one's good

will, or to seek to win one, strive to please one

1c) to tranquillise

1d) to persuade unto i.e. move or induce one to persuasion to

do something

2) be persuaded

2a) to be persuaded, to suffer one's self to be persuaded; to

be induced to believe: to have faith: in a thing

2a1) to believe

2a2) to be persuaded of a thing concerning a person

2b) to listen to, obey, yield to, comply with

3) to trust, have confidence, be confident

4052 perisseuo {per-is-syoo'-o}

from 4053; TDNT - 6:58,828; v

AV - abound 17, abundance 3, remain 3, exceed 2, increase 2,

be left 1, redound 1, misc 10; 39

1) to exceed a fixed number of measure, to be left over and

above a certain number or measure

1a) to be over, to remain

1b) to exist or be at hand in abundance

1b1) to be great (abundant)

1b2) a thing which comes in abundance, or overflows unto one,

something falls to the lot of one in large measure

1b3) to redound unto, turn out abundantly for, a thing

1c) to abound, overflow

1c1) to be abundantly furnished with, to have in abundance,

abound in (a thing), to be in affluence

1c2) to be pre-eminent, to excel

1c3) to excel more than, exceed

2) to make to abound

2a) to furnish one richly so that he has abundance

2b) to make abundant or excellent

"Abounding" is used of a flower going from a bud to full bloom.

4183 polus {pol-oos'}

including the forms from the alternate pollos;TDNT - 6:536,*; adj

AV - many 210, much 73, great 59, misc 23; 365

1) many, much, large

4383 prosopon {pros'-o-pon}

from 4314 and ops (the visage, from 3700); TDNT - 6:768,950; n n

AV - face 55, person 7, presence 7, countenance 3, not tr 1, misc 5; 78

1) the face

1a) the front of the human head

1b) countenance, look

1b1) the face so far forth as it is the organ of sight, and by

it various movements and changes) the index of the inward

thoughts and feelings

1c) the appearance one presents by his wealth or property, his

rank or low condition

1c1) outward circumstances, external condition

1c2) used in expressions which denote to regard the person in

one's judgment and treatment of men

2) the outward appearance of inanimate things

4506 rhoumai {rhoo'-om-ahee}

middle voice of an obsolete verb, akin to 4482 (through the idea

of a current, cf 4511); TDNT - 6:998,988; v

AV - deliver 17, Deliverer 1; 18

1) to draw to one's self, to rescue, to deliver

2) the deliverer

4943 sunupourgeo {soon-oop-oorg-eh'-o}

from 4862 and a derivative of a compound of 5259 and the base of 2041;; v

AV - help together 1; 1

1) to help together

4991 soteria {so-tay-ree'-ah}

feminine of a derivative of 4990 as (properly, abstract) noun;

TDNT - 7:965,1132; n f

AV - salvation 40, the (one) be saved 1, deliver + 1325 1, health 1,

saving 1, that (one) be saved + 1519 1; 45

1) deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation

1a) deliverance from the molestation of enemies

1b) in an ethical sense, that which concludes to the souls safety

or salvation

1b1) of Messianic salvation

2) salvation as the present possession of all true Christians

3) future salvation, the sum of benefits and blessings which the

Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills, will enjoy after the

visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and

eternal kingdom of God.

++++

Fourfold salvation: saved from the penalty, power, presence and most

importantly the pleasure of sin. A.W. Pink

5082 telikoutos {tay-lik-oo'-tos} feminine telikaute {tay-lik-ow'-tay}

from a compound of 3588 with 2245 and 3778;; pron

AV - so great 3, so mighty 1; 4

1) of age

1a) of such an age

1b) of so great an age, so old

1c) so young

2) of so great a size, in bulk

3) such and so great

5209 humas {hoo-mas'}

accusative case of 5210;; pron

AV - you 376, ye 42, for your sakes + 1223 9, not tr 1, misc 9; 437

1) you

5216 humon {hoo-mone'}

genitive case of 5210;; pron

AV - your 348, you 203, ye 9, yours 5, not tr 1, misc 17; 583

1) of yours

5228 huper {hoop-er'}

a primary preposition; TDNT - 8:507,1228; prep

AV - for 104, of 12, above 12, for (one's) sake 8,

on (one's) behalf 3, more than 3, in (one's) stead 2, than 2,

very chiefest + 3029 2, beyond 1, to 1, over 1, more 1,

exceedingly abundantly + 1537 + 4053 1, exceedingly + 1537 + 4053 1,

very highly + 1537 + 4053 1, misc 5; 160

1) in behalf of, for the sake of

2) over, beyond, more than

3) more, beyond, over

5236 huperbole {hoop-er-bol-ay'}

from 5235; TDNT - 8:520,1230; n f

AV - far more + 2596 1, exceeding + 2596 1, more excellent +2596 1,

out of measure + 2596 1, beyond measure + 2596 1, excellency 1,

abundance 1, exceeding + 1519 1; 8

1) a throwing beyond

2) metaph.

2a) superiority, excellence, pre-eminence

2b) beyond measure, exceedingly, preeminently

2c) beyond all measure

5259 hupo {hoop-o'}

a primary preposition;; prep

AV - of 116, by 42, under 48, with 14, in 1, not tr 6, misc 3; 230

1) by, under

5281 hupomone {hoop-om-on-ay'}

from 5278; TDNT - 4:581,581; n f

AV - patience 29, enduring 1, patient continuance 1,

patient waiting 1; 32

1) steadfastness, constancy, endurance

1a) in the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from

his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by

even the greatest trials and sufferings

1b) patiently, and steadfastly

2) a patient, steadfast waiting for

3) a patient enduring, sustaining, perseverance

For Synonyms see entry 5861

5486 charisma {khar'-is-mah}

from 5483; TDNT - 9:402,1298; n n

AV - gift 15, free gift 2; 17

1) a favour with which one receives without any merit of his own

2) the gift of divine grace

3) the gift of faith, knowledge, holiness, virtue

4) the economy of divine grace, by which the pardon of sin and eternal

salvation is appointed to sinners in consideration of the merits of

Christ laid hold of by faith

5) grace or gifts denoting extraordinary powers, distinguishing certain

Christians and enabling them to serve the church of Christ, the

reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating on

their souls by the Holy Spirit

5547 Christos {khris-tos'}

from 5548; TDNT - 9:493,1322; adj

AV - Christ 569; 569

Christ = "anointed"

1) Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God

2) anointed

5600 o {o} including the oblique forms, as well as es {ace},

e {ay}, etc.

the subjunctive of 1510;; v

AV - be 22, may be 22, should be 6, is 5, might be 2, were 1,

not tr 4, misc 4; 66

1) be, may be, etc.

5618 hosper {hoce'-per}

from 5613 and 4007;; adv

AV - as 39, even as 2, like as 1; 42

1) just as, even as

5620 hoste {hoce'-teh}

from 5613 and 5037;; particle

AV - so that 25, wherefore 17, insomuch that 16, therefore 9, that 6,

so then 5, to 3, as 1, insomuch as 1; 83

1) so that, insomuch that

2) so then, therefore, wherefore

5637 Tense - Second Aorist See 5780

Voice - Middle Deponent See 5788

Mood - Participle See 5796

Count - 137

5673 Tense - Aorist See 5777

Voice - Middle or Passive Deponent See 5790

Mood - Indicative See 5791

Count - 5

5681 Tense - Aorist See 5777

Voice - Passive See 5786

Mood - Indicative See 5791

Count - 602

5683 Tense - Aorist See 5777

Voice - Passive See 5786

Mood - Infinitive See 5795

Count - 159

5686 Tense - Aorist See 5777

Voice - Passive See 5786

Mood - Subjunctive See 5792

Count - 219

5695 Tense - Future See 5776

Voice - Middle Deponent See 5788

Mood - Indicative See 5791

Count - 271

5719 Tense - Present See 5774

Voice - Active See 5784

Mood - Indicative See 5791

Count - 3019

5721 Tense - Present See 5774

Voice - Active See 5784

Mood - Infinitive See 5795

Count - 647

5723 Tense - Present See 5774

Voice - Active See 5784

Mood - Participle See 5796

Count - 2549

5734 Tense - Present See 5774

Voice - Middle See 5785

Mood - Participle See 5796

Count - 111

5736 Tense - Present See 5774

Voice - Middle or Passive Deponent See 5790

Mood - Indicative See 5791

Count - 618

5738 Tense - Present See 5774

Voice - Middle or Passive Deponent See 5790

Mood - Infinitive See 5795

Count - 109

5743 Tense - Present See 5774

Voice - Passive See 5786

Mood - Indicative See 5791

Count - 271

5748 Tense - Present See 5774

Voice - No Voice Stated See 5799

Mood - Indicative See 5791

Count - 1612

5753 Tense - Present See 5774

Voice - No Voice Stated See 5799

Mood - Subjunctive See 5792

Count - 68

5756 Tense - Second Perfect See 5782

Voice - Active See 5784

Mood - Participle See 5796

Count - 43

5758 Tense - Perfect See 5778

Voice - Active See 5784

Mood - Indicative See 5791

Count - 516

5761 Tense - Perfect See 5778

Voice - Active See 5784

Mood - Participle See 5796

Count - 193

III. All N.T. Occurrences of the Greek Word for Range of Meaning: AV - NIV

The feminine noun, paraklesis, occurs 29 times in 28 verses in the New Testament, translated in the NIV as encouragement (10), comfort (8), appeal (2), be encouraged (1), consolation (1), encourage (1), encouraged (1), encouraging message (1), exhortation (1), greatly encouraged (1), preaching (1), urgently (1). Over half (15) of these usages refer to encouragement in the NIV with comfort (8) completing most of the remainder. The AV translates it consolation (14), exhortation (8), comfort (6), and intreaty (1). The most concentrated usage is in 2Cor. 1:3-7 where it occurs 6 times translated as comfort in the NIV (and as either comfort or consolation in the AV), and 2Cor. continues on to use it another 5 times to make this book itself the occasion of greatest occurrance.

Luke 2:25

25. And <2532>, behold <2400> (5628), there was <2258> (5713) a man <444> in <1722> Jerusalem <2419>, whose <3739> name <3686> [was] Simeon <4826>; and <2532> the same <3778> man <444> [was] just <1342> and <2532> devout <2126>, waiting <4327> (5740) for the consolation <3874> of Israel <2474>: and <2532> the Holy <40> Ghost <4151> was <2258> (5713) upon <1909> him <846>. 25. Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

Luke 6:24

24 But <4133> woe <3759> unto you <5213> that are rich <4145>! for <3754> ye have received <568> (5719) your <5216> consolation <3874>. 24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.

Acts 4:36

36 And <1161> Joses <2500>, who <3588> by <5259> the apostles <652> was surnamed <1941> (5685) Barnabas <921>, (which <3739> is <2076> (5748), being interpreted <3177> (5746), The son <5207> of consolation <3874>,) a Levite <3019>, [and] of the country <1085> of Cyprus <2953>, 36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement),

Acts 9:31

31 Then <3303> <3767> had <2192> (5707) the churches <1577> rest <1515> throughout <2596> all <3650> Judaea <2449> and <2532> Galilee <1056> and <2532> Samaria <4540>, and were edified <3618> (5746); and <2532> walking in <4198> (5740) the fear <5401> of the Lord <2962>, and <2532> in the comfort <3874> of the Holy <40> Ghost <4151>, were multiplied <4129> (5712). 31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

Acts 13:15

15 And <1161> after <3326> the reading <320> of the law <3551> and <2532> the prophets <4396> the rulers of the synagogue <752> sent <649> (5656) unto <4314> them <846>, saying <3004> (5723), [Ye] men <435> [and] brethren <80>, if <1487> ye have <2076> (5748) <1722> <5213> any word <3056> of exhortation <3874> for <4314> the people <2992>, say on <3004> (5720). 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak."

Acts 15:31

31 [Which] when <1161> they had read <314> (5631), they rejoiced <5463> (5644) for <1909> the consolation <3874>. 31 The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message.

Romans 12:8

8 Or <1535> he that exhorteth <3870> (5723), on <1722> exhortation <3874>: he that giveth <3330> (5723), [let him do it] with <1722> simplicity <572>; he that ruleth <4291> (5734), with <1722> diligence <4710>; he that sheweth mercy <1653> (5723), with <1722> cheerfulness <2432>. 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

Romans 15:4

4 For <1063> whatsoever things <3745> were written aforetime <4270> (5648) were written <4270> (5648) for <1519> our <2251> learning <1319>, that <2443> we <2192> (0) through <1223> patience <5281> and <2532> comfort <3874> of the scriptures <1124> might have <2192> (5725) hope <1680>. 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 15:5

5. Now <1161> the God <2316> of patience <5281> and <2532> consolation <3874> grant <1325> (5630) you <5213> to be <846> likeminded <5426> (5721) one <240> (0) toward another <1722> <240> according <2596> to Christ <5547> Jesus <2424>: 5. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,

1 Corinthians 14:3

3 But <1161> he that prophesieth <4395> (5723) speaketh <2980> (5719) unto men <444> [to] edification <3619>, and <2532> exhortation <3874>, and <2532> comfort <3889>. 3 But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3

3. Blessed <2128> [be] God <2316>, even <2532> the Father <3962> of our <2257> Lord <2962> Jesus <2424> Christ <5547>, the Father <3962> of mercies <3628>, and <2532> the God <2316> of all <3956> comfort <3874>; 3. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,

2 Corinthians 1:4

4 Who <3588> comforteth <3870> (5723) us <2248> in <1909> all <3956> our <2257> tribulation <2347>, that <1519> we <2248> may be able <1410> (5738) to comfort <3870> (5721) them which are in <1722> any <3956> trouble <2347>, by <1223> the comfort <3874> wherewith <3739> we <3870> (0) ourselves <846> are comforted <3870> (5743) of <5259> God <2316>. 4 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.

2 Corinthians 1:5

5 For <3754> as <2531> the sufferings <3804> of Christ <5547> abound <4052> (5719) in <1519> us <2248>, so <3779> our <2257> consolation <3874> also <2532> aboundeth <4052> (5719) by <1223> Christ <5547>. 5 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows

2 Corinthians 1:6

6 And <1161> whether <1535> we be afflicted <2346> (5743), [it is] for <5228> your <5216> consolation <3874> and <2532> salvation <4991>, which <3588> is effectual <1754> (5734) in <1722> the enduring <5281> of the same <846> sufferings <3804> which <3739> we <2249> also <2532> suffer <3958> (5719): or whether <1535> we be comforted <3870> (5743), [it is] for <5228> your <5216> consolation <3874> and <2532> salvation <4991>. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer.

2 Corinthians 1:7

7. And <2532> our <2257> hope <1680> of <5228> you <5216> [is] stedfast <949>, knowing <1492> (5761), that <3754> as <5618> ye are <2075> (5748) partakers <2844> of the sufferings <3804>, so <3779> [shall ye be] also <2532> of the consolation <3874>. 7. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

2 Corinthians 7:4

4 Great <4183> [is] my <3427> boldness of speech <3954> toward <4314> you <5209>, great <4183> [is] my <3427> glorying <2746> of <5228> you <5216>: I am filled <4137> (5769) with comfort <3874>, I am exceeding <5248> (5731) joyful <5479> in <1909> all <3956> our <2257> tribulation <2347>. 4 I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

2 Corinthians 7:7

7 And <1161> not <3756> by <1722> his <846> coming <3952> only <3440>, but <235> <2532> by <1722> the consolation <3874> wherewith <3739> he was comforted <3870> (5681) in <1909> you <5213>, when he told <312> (5723) us <2254> your <5216> earnest desire <1972>, your <5216> mourning <3602>, your <5216> fervent mind <2205> toward <5228> me <1700>; so <5620> that I <3165> rejoiced <5463> (5646) the more <3123>. 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.

2 Corinthians 7:13

13 Therefore <1223> <5124> we were comforted <3870> (5769) in <1909> your <5216> comfort <3874>: yea, and <1161> exceedingly <4056> the more <3123> joyed we <5463> (5644) for <1909> the joy <5479> of Titus <5103>, because <3754> his <846> spirit <4151> was refreshed <373> (5769) by <575> you <5216> all <3956>. 13 By all this we are encouraged. In addition to our own encouragement, we were especially delighted to see how happy Titus was, because his spirit has been refreshed by all of you.

2 Corinthians 8:4

4 Praying <1189> (5740) us <2257> with <3326> much <4183> intreaty <3874> that we <2248> would receive <1209> (5664) the gift <5485>, and <2532> [take upon us] the fellowship <2842> of the ministering <1248> to <1519> the saints <40>. 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.

2 Corinthians 8:17

17 For <3754> indeed <3303> he accepted <1209> (5662) the exhortation <3874>; but <1161> being <5225> (5723) more forward <4707>, of his own accord <830> he went <1831> (5627) unto <4314> you <5209>. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative.

Philippians 2:1

1. If [there be] therefore <3767> any <1536> consolation <3874> in <1722> Christ <5547>, if any <1536> comfort <3890> of love <26>, if any <1536> fellowship <2842> of the Spirit <4151>, if any <1536> bowels <4698> and <2532> mercies <3628>, 1. If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,

1 Thessalonians 2:3

3 For <1063> our <2257> exhortation <3874> [was] not <3756> of <1537> deceit <4106>, nor <3761> of <1537> uncleanness <167>, nor <3777> in <1722> guile <1388>: 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.

2 Thessalonians 2:16

16. Now <1161> our <2257> Lord <2962> Jesus <2424> Christ <5547> himself <846>, and <2532> God <2316>, even <2532> our <2257> Father <3962>, which <3588> hath loved <25> (5660) us <2248>, and <2532> hath given <1325> (5631) [us] everlasting <166> consolation <3874> and <2532> good <18> hope <1680> through <1722> grace <5485>, 16. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope,

1 Timothy 4:13

13 Till <2193> I come <2064> (5736), give attendance <4337> (5720) to reading <320>, to exhortation <3874>, to doctrine <1319>. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.

Philemon 1:7

7 For <1063> we have <2192> (5719) great <4183> joy <5485> and <2532> consolation <3874> in <1909> thy <4675> love <26>, because <3754> the bowels <4698> of the saints <40> are refreshed <373> (5769) by <1223> thee <4675>, brother <80>. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

Hebrews 6:18

18 That <2443> by <1223> two <1417> immutable <276> things <4229>, in <1722> which <3739> [it was] impossible <102> for God <2316> to lie <5574> (5664), we might have <2192> (5725) a strong <2478> consolation <3874>, who <3588> have fled for refuge <2703> (5631) to lay hold <2902> (5658) upon the hope <1680> set before us <4295> (5740): 18 God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged.

Hebrews 12:5

5 And <2532> ye have forgotten <1585> (5769) the exhortation <3874> which <3748> speaketh <1256> (5736) unto you <5213> as <5613> unto children <5207>, My <3450> son <5207>, despise <3643> (0) not <3361> thou <3643> (5720) the chastening <3809> of the Lord <2962>, nor <3366> faint <1590> (5744) when thou art rebuked <1651> (5746) of <5259> him <846>: 5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

Hebrews 13:22

22 And <1161> I beseech <3870> (5719) you <5209>, brethren <80>, suffer <430> (5737) the word <3056> of exhortation <3874>: for <1063> <2532> I have written a letter <1989> (5656) unto you <5213> in <1223> few words <1024>. 22 Brothers, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for I have written you only a short letter.

IV. Meaning of Greek Word in New Testament

BAGD, p. 618b:

1 encouragement, exhortation

2 appeal, request

3 comfort, consolation

Perschbacher, p. 308:

1 a calling upon, exhortation, incitement, persuasion

2 horatory instruction

3 entreaty, importunity, earnest supplication

4 solace, consolation

5 cheering and supporting influence

6 joy, gladness, rejoicing

7 cheer, joy, enjoyment

TDNT, p. 778 Paraklesis and its synonym, parakaleo, have a wide range of meaning in common Greek usage: (1) either 'calling to' in the literal sense or the idea of calling for aid, inviting, and summoning; (2) the sense of 'beseeching' - to call on the gods in prayer or a proposition from a superior to an inferior; (3) to exhort or encourage or even to win over to a plan; (4) to comfort by giving exhortation or encouragement in times of sorrow. This last is not a common use but it becomes so in biblical usage. The group contains an imperative element (to admonish) that is accompanied by the indicative (to console). Exhortation is a form of comfort with a view to overcoming or setting aside grief. The main basis of comfort in antiquity is the idea of the immortality of the soul. The OT sets forth the idea that there is no comfort apart from God, that God's proper work is to comfort, that God's comfort can be described metaphorically as that of a shepherd or a parent, and that God also channels his comfort through mediators. For one to give comfort is a good work and a following of God. This ability comes through knowledge of Scripture and experience in its application. "Comfort" becomes a comprehensive term for the messianic salvation. It is on this general basis of the gospel that the NT specifically addresses the words in the sense of asking for help, exhorting, and comforting. They receive their main content from the NT event of salvation. In the NT, paraklesis and parakaleo do not appear in John or James. However, John's writings are the only place where the related word, parakletos, is used in reference to the ministry of Christ and his Holy Spirit.

The NT makes good use of the wealth of meaning in these terms. The sense 'to call in' fades out. 'To ask' occurs mainly in requests to Jesus in his earthly ministry. The meaning 'exhortation' comes into use for missionary proclamation and pastoral admonition. The sense of 'comfort' occurs in connection with salvation history where the terms express God's aid to the churches in present affliction on the basis of the saving work of Christ and with a view to final deliverance. 'Asking' then presupposes God's salvation is manifest in Christ, 'exhortation' is the effect of the Spirit to direct us to Christ, and 'comfort' is in the final consummation by the Father. The words then bring into focus the saving work of the Triune God which leads us as needy suppliants to the Son, who is preached as exhortation in the power of the Spirit, and which already carries with it the eternal comfort of the Father.

TWBB, does not contain a discussion of the term under study

Wigram, p. 675:

1 comfort, consolation

2 exhortation, encouragement

3 appeal

Zodhiates, p. 1106: Paraklesis: gen. parakleseos, fem. noun from parakaleo (3870), to beseech. The act of appeal, exhortation, encouragement, comfort, consolation. Parakaleo is from para (3844), to the side of, and kaleo (2564), to call. Parakletos (3875) is also derived from this (3870) which refers to an advocate who comes forward in behalf of and as the representative of another. It occurs only in John's writings whereas 3870 and 3874 do not. Christ is called our advocate and Christ designates the Holy Spirit as Paraclete (John 14:16), calling him allos (243), another, which means another of equal quality and not heteros (2087), another of a different quality. The Holy Spirit is therefore equal with Christ as God (1John 2:1). The Paraclete undertakes Christ's office to act as his substitute.

Paramuthia (3889), consolation, comfort;and nouthesia (3559),admonition, are synonymns. Paramuthia expresses a greater degree of tenderness, at least by word of mouth, than paraklesis which carries a more general sense of helpfulness and comfort. Paramuthia stresses the process or progress of the act whereas paramuthion (3890) stresses the instrument or manner of comfort used by the one who is comforting. The first is the result of comfort and the second is the means for producing that result. Another related word is paregoria (3931) from which is derived the Eng. word 'paragoric,' a soothing medication. Nouthesia is any word of encouragement or reproof which leads to correct behavior where there is an appeal to the conscience, will, and reasoning faculties.

The prefix para (3844) can have a wide range of meaning, but it appears to mean 'contrary to' in connection with muthos (3454) which means 'myth' to form the word paramuthia (3889). In this sense it would mean 'that which is contrary to that which is contrary to reality' or 'that which is contrary to myth.' Antonyms for 3889 mean sadness, sorrow, affliction, trouble, anguish, distress, dejection, grief, and pain. Therefore, comfort has the meaning of bringing someone back to a sense of truth that things aren't as bad as they may appear because God is the God of comfort as the one who is in control. We are 'called alongside' in order to be strengthened by truth. Comfort in English is the combination of 'com' (to intensify), and 'fortis' (strong) to give the meaning of 'to intensify strength.' God is our source of strength (Phil. 4:13). The English synonymn 'console' means 'to help support.' To be comforted would be the end result of successful consolation to combat the antonymn of affliction or distress by drawing near to God as the source of all truth and strength. The one who comforts enables this by speaking the soothing word of encouragement either as an appeal or an exhortation.

V. Meaning of Greek Word in Each Occurrence

Luke 2:25

BAGD: in the eschatol. sense, looking for the consolation of Israel (in later times the Jews occasionally called the Messiah himself 'comforter')

Persch.: solace, consolation

TDNT: comforting - This is the comfort that God brings through his present and future salvation as related to exhortation and encouragement. It comes through Scripture based on divine constancy which is that of love displayed in Christ. Comfort is given by human agents but is real comfort only as it comes from God. While comfort derives from present salvation, it stands in the light of future deliverance. The final comfort is the eschatological act of God which reaches into the present so that those who mourn are already blessed. Those who look for the consolation of Israel are awaiting messianic salvation.

Wigram: comfort, consolation

Zod.: The title of Messiah, 'the consolation of Israel,' is eschatological pointing to him as the one who brings the predicted and long-awaited comfort to Israel.

Luke 6:24

BAGD: of comforting circumstances, events, etc.

Persch.: cheer, joy, enjoyment

Zod.: Used to designate the comfort in heaven which will be denied the wicked who enjoy the riches and comforts of this world. The Beatitudes and woes give the idea of comfort and its opposite.

Acts 4:36

BAGD: the name Barnabas is translated 'Son of Consolation'

Zod.: Barnabas is called 'the son of consolation,' referring to his prophetic gift manifested especially in the exercise of comforting others.

Acts 9:31

BAGD: comfort, consolation

Persch.: cheering and supporting influence

TDNT: exhorting - A common use in Acts and Paul. It implies speaking in God's name and with the Spirit's power. What is meant is the proclaiming of salvation as also a claim on the will and action of the hearers.

Zod.: Comforting words, consolation.

Acts 13:15

BAGD: word of exhortation

Persch.: hortatory instruction

Wigram: exhortation, encouragement

Zod.: Paul speaks of his preaching of the gospel as paraklesis. Paraklesis was regarded as based on the reading of a portion of Scripture, an expository application of the prophetic word, although this was by no means the whole.

Acts 15:31

BAGD: of comforting circumstances, events, etc.

Persch.: hortatory instruction

TDNT: exhorting - A common use in Acts and Paul. It implies speaking in God's name and with the Spirit's power. What is meant is the proclaiming of salvation as also a claim on the will and action of the hearers. Often admonition to those already won is at issue. This admonition is not sharp, polemical, or critical, even though it is urgent and serious. This admonition is 'in Christ' or 'by his name' or 'by his meekness and gentleness' or 'by the mercy of God.' The Holy Spirit is at work in it, and it is almost a function of prophecy.

Zod.: The contents of the letter addressed to the church at Antioch from the Apostolic Council are paraklesis.

Romans 12:8

BAGD: Christian exhortation (poss. comfort, consolation)

Persch.: a calling upon, exhortation, incitement, persuasion

Romans 15:4

BAGD: the consolation that the scriptures give

Persch.: solace, consolation

TDNT: comforting - This is the comfort that God brings through his present and future salvation as related to exhortation and encouragement. It comes through Scripture based on divine constancy. While comfort derives from present salvation, it stands in the light of future deliverance.

Zod.: All of Scripture is actually a paraklesis, an exhortation, admonition or encouragement for the purpose of strengthening and establishing the believer in the faith.

Romans 15:5

BAGD: the consolation that God gives

Persch.: solace, consolation

1 Corinthians 14:3

BAGD: speak words of exhortation

Persch.: a calling upon, exhortation, incitement, persuasion

TDNT: exhorting - A common use in Acts and Paul. It implies speaking in God's name and with the Spirit's power. What is meant is the proclaiming of salvation as also a claim on the will and action of the hearers. Often admonition to those already won is at issue. This admonition is not sharp, polemical, or critical, even though it is urgent and serious. This admonition is 'in Christ' or 'by his name' or 'by his meekness and gentleness' or 'by the mercy of God.' The Holy Spirit is at work in it, and it is almost a function of prophecy.

2 Corinthians 1:3

BAGD: the consolation that God gives

Persch.: solace, consolation

TDNT: human and divine comfort - Comfort is given by human agents but is real comfort only as it comes from God. God is the God of all comfort.