Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "console" refers to the act of providing comfort or solace to someone who is experiencing grief, distress, or disappointment. In the biblical context, consoling is often associated with offering emotional support and encouragement, rooted in faith and the promises of God. The act of consoling is seen as a reflection of God's compassion and mercy towards His people.
Biblical References:The concept of consoling is woven throughout the Scriptures, highlighting the importance of offering comfort to those in need. One of the most direct references is found in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul speaks of God as the "God of all comfort" (
2 Corinthians 1:3-4): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
In the Old Testament, the theme of consolation is evident in the Psalms, where the psalmists often seek God's comfort in times of distress.
Psalm 23:4 states, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." This verse illustrates the assurance and peace that come from God's presence and guidance.
Role of Believers:Believers are called to emulate God's comforting nature by consoling others. This is seen as a vital aspect of Christian fellowship and community. In
1 Thessalonians 5:11 , Paul exhorts the church: "Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing." The act of consoling is not only a response to individual needs but also a means of strengthening the body of Christ.
Jesus as the Ultimate Consoler:Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate source of consolation. His ministry was marked by acts of compassion and healing, offering hope to the brokenhearted. In
Matthew 11:28 , Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to find rest in Him: "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." This invitation underscores the depth of comfort available through a relationship with Christ.
The Holy Spirit as Comforter:The Holy Spirit is also identified as a source of consolation for believers. In
John 14:16-17 , Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, who will dwell with and in believers: "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth." The Holy Spirit, often referred to as the Comforter or Advocate, plays a crucial role in providing ongoing support and guidance.
Practical Application:Consoling others is a practical expression of love and empathy. It involves listening, offering words of encouragement, and praying for those who are suffering. Christians are encouraged to be sensitive to the needs of others and to act as instruments of God's peace and comfort in a hurting world. Through acts of consolation, believers can demonstrate the love of Christ and point others to the hope found in Him.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To cheer in distress or depression; to comfort; to soothe; to alleviate the grief and raise the spirits of; to relieve.
2. (n.) A bracket whose projection is not more than half its height.
3. (n.) Any small bracket; also, a console table.
Greek
3888. paramutheomai -- to encourge, comfort... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: paramutheomai Phonetic Spelling:
(par-am-oo-theh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I encourage, comfort,
console Definition:
...3870. parakaleo -- to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage
... entreat, admonish, comfort Definition: (a) I send for, summon, invite, (b) I beseech,
entreat, beg, (c) I exhort, admonish, (d) I comfort, encourage,console....
4837. sumparakaleo -- to exhort together, pass. to be strengthened...
... comfort together. From sun and parakaleo; toconsole jointly -- comfort together.
see GREEK sun. see GREEK parakaleo. (sumparaklethenai) -- 1 Occurrence....
Strong's Hebrew
5162. nacham -- to be sorry,console oneself... 5161, 5162. nacham. 5163 . to be sorry,
console oneself. Transliteration: nacham
Phonetic Spelling: (naw-kham') Short Definition: comfort. Word Origin a prim
...5110. nud -- to move to and fro, wander, flutter, show grief
... root Definition to move to and fro, wander, flutter, show grief NASB Word Usage
console (1), consoled (1), drive away (1), flee (2), flitting (1), grieve (1...
Library
The Misery of Man Without God
... 67. The vanity of the sciences."Physical science will notconsole me
for the ignorance of morality in the time of affliction....
Letter xvii to the Same
... You were sent to sustain andconsole others, because you are spiritually stronger
and better able to bear than they, and because with the grace of God you are...
The Fifty-Ninth Chapter: all Hope and Trust are to be Fixed in God...
... many friends, nor will powerful helpers be able to assist me, nor prudent advisers
to give useful answers, nor the books of learned men toconsole, nor any...
2 Timothy iii. 16, 17
... He is desirous toconsole the despondency of his disciple, and therefore bids him
be of good cheer, since he was going to his crown, having finished all his...
To Olympias. Do not be Anxious on My Behalf, nor Rack Yourself...
... their hands and knees, nor did he shut their mouths, or close their eyes when they
were about to die, acts which tend not a little toconsole parents who are...
Letter Lx. To Heliodorus.
... The Letters of St. Jerome. Letter LX. To Heliodorus. One of Jerome's finest letters,
written toconsole his old friend, Heliodorus, now Bp....
Consolation in Christ
... It is the Spirit's business toconsole and cheer the hearts of God's people.... and
certainly hope canconsole us when nothing else can do it. He is our hope....
This Sermon was Originally Printed
... truth. Except they preach grace and gracious doctrine, I can not see how
they are toconsole the minds of the Lord's family. Were...
The Difference Between Union and Rapture. What Rapture Is. The...
... It is a communication made, not toconsole, but to show the reason why the soul
must be weary; because it is far away from the Good which in itself comprehends...
The Minne-Songs
... All the knights rise from table, and gather round Gawain and Percival
toconsole them. But Percival is inconsolable:". * * *....
Thesaurus
Console (7 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) A bracket whose projection is not more than half its height. 3. (n.) Any
small bracket; also, a
console table.
...Console (7 Occurrences).
...Comfort (130 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To assist or help; to aid. 3. (vt) To impart strength and hope to; to encourage;
to relieve; toconsole; to cheer. 4. (n.) Assistance; relief; support....
Consoled (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofConsole. Multi-Version Concordance
Consoled (6 Occurrences). Matthew 2:18 "A voice was heard...
Consoling (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) ofConsole. 2. (a.) Adapted toconsole or comfort; cheering;
as, this is consoling news. Multi-Version Concordance...
Joined (146 Occurrences)
... (WEY NIV). John 11:19 Many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha
and Mary, toconsole them concerning their brother. (WEB)....
Cup (86 Occurrences)
... The "cup of consolation" (Jeremiah 16:7) refers to the custom of friends sending
viands and wine toconsole relatives in mourning (Proverbs 31:6). In 1...
Consolations (6 Occurrences)
Comfortably (5 Occurrences)
... kum'-fer-ta-bli (`al lebh, "to the heart"): "To speak to the heart," ie to speak
kindly, toconsole, to comfort, is the ordinary Hebrew expression for wooing...
Solace (2 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) To cheer in grief or under calamity; to comfort; to relieve in affliction,
solitude, or discomfort; toconsole; -- applied to persons; as, to solace...
Loss (90 Occurrences)
... (BBE). John 11:19 Many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and
Mary, toconsole them concerning their brother. (See NIV)....
Resources
Are apparitions of Mary, such as Lady Fatima, true messages from God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the names and titles of the Holy Spirit? | GotQuestions.orgIs God dead? | GotQuestions.orgConsole: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
