Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the concept of being "encouraged" is deeply rooted in the spiritual and communal life of believers. Encouragement is seen as a vital aspect of Christian fellowship and personal faith, serving as a means to uplift, strengthen, and motivate individuals in their walk with God.
Old Testament ContextThe Old Testament provides numerous examples of encouragement, often through God's direct intervention or through His appointed leaders. In
Deuteronomy 31:6, Moses encourages the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land: "Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." This assurance of God's presence serves as a foundational source of encouragement for the people of Israel.
The Psalms also frequently express themes of encouragement, as the psalmists often turn to God for strength and reassurance.
Psalm 31:24 states, "Be strong and courageous, all you who hope in the LORD." Here, the psalmist calls upon the faithful to find courage and strength in their hope and trust in God.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, encouragement is a key element of the early Christian community. The Apostle Paul, in particular, emphasizes the importance of encouraging one another. In
1 Thessalonians 5:11 , Paul writes, "Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing." This exhortation highlights the communal responsibility of believers to support and uplift each other in faith.
Paul's letters often include personal examples of encouragement. In
Philippians 1:6 , he expresses confidence in God's work in the lives of the believers: "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." This assurance serves to encourage the Philippians in their spiritual journey.
Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit is also depicted as a source of encouragement for believers. In
John 14:16 , Jesus promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, referred to as the "Helper" or "Comforter": "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever." The Holy Spirit provides comfort, guidance, and encouragement, empowering believers to live out their faith.
Encouragement in Christian PracticeEncouragement is not only a biblical principle but also a practical aspect of Christian living. Believers are called to encourage one another through words, actions, and prayers.
Hebrews 10:24-25 urges Christians to "consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
In summary, encouragement in the Bible is a multifaceted concept that encompasses divine assurance, communal support, and the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit. It is an essential practice for fostering spiritual growth and unity within the body of Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Encourage.
Greek
2115a. euthumos -- of good cheer... of good cheer. Transliteration: euthumos Short Definition:
encouraged. Word Origin
from eu and thumos Definition of good cheer NASB Word Usage
encouraged (1).
...2174. eupsucheo -- to be of good courage
... Word Origin from a comp. of eu and psuche Definition to be of good courage NASB
Word Usageencouraged (1). be of good comfort, have courage....
4389. protrepo -- to turn forward, urge forward
... persuade. Word Origin from pro and the same as trope Definition to turn forward,
urge forward NASB Word Usageencouraged (1). exhort....
2115. euthumos -- of good cheer
... cheerful,encouraged From eu and thumos; in fine spirits, ie Cheerful -- of good
cheer, the more cheerfully. see GREEK eu. see GREEK thumos....
3870. parakaleo -- to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage
... 1), appealing (2), beg (1), begging (2), beseeching (1), comfort (5), comforted
(11), comforts (2), conciliate (1), encourage (6),encouraged (4), encouraging...
4837. sumparakaleo -- to exhort together, pass. to be strengthened...
... Word Origin from sun and parakaleo Definition to exhort together, pass. to be
strengthened with NASB Word Usageencouraged together (1). comfort together....
Strong's Hebrew
2388. chazaq -- to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen... 1), courageous (3), detained (1), devote (1), display great strength (1), display
strength (1), encourage (4), encourage* (1),
encouraged (2),
encouraged* (3
...3027. yad -- hand
... delivered (1), deserved* (1), direction (10), directions (1), discouraged* (2),
discouraging* (1), do (1), done (2), encourage* (1),encouraged* (3), enough (1...
Library
MissionariesEncouraged.
... ASSOCIATIONS, CONVENTIONS, AND MISSIONARY MEETINGS. 737. " Missionaries
Encouraged. 737. LM Winchell's Sel. MissionariesEncouraged....
Israel's HopeEncouraged;
... ISRAEL'S HOPEENCOURAGED; OR, WHAT HOPE IS, AND HOW DISTINGUISHED FROM FAITH:... OFFOR.
FOOTNOTES: 1. Cruden. 2. Pilgrim's Progress. Israel's HopeEncouraged;...
Ministers Charged andEncouraged.
... ASSOCIATIONS, CONVENTIONS, AND MISSIONARY MEETINGS. 721. " Ministers Charged and
Encouraged. 721. LM A. Balfour. Ministers Charged andEncouraged....
Athanasius,Encouraged by the Letter of Constantine the Younger...
... Book II. Chapter III."Athanasius,encouraged by the Letter of Constantine
the Younger, returns to Alexandria. Constantine C??sar...
Psalm 55 Dangerous Prosperity; Or, Daily DevotionsEncouraged
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 55 Dangerous prosperity; or, Daily devotionsencouraged.
v.15-17,19,22 SM. Dangerous prosperity; or, Daily devotionsencouraged....
Prayer Taught andEncouraged.
... (Time: One Year Less One Week.) LXXXVI. Prayer Taught andEncouraged.... Idle repetition
of prayers is forbidden; but persistence and importunity areencouraged....
How the Holy Pope Gregory Sent Augustine, with Other Monks, to...
... How the holy Pope Gregory sent Augustine, with other monks, to preach to the English
nation, andencouraged them by a letter of exhortation, not to desist from...
Psalm 55:2. 15-17 19 22. SM Dangerous Prosperity; Or, Daily...
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 55:2. 15-17 19 22. SM Dangerous prosperity;
or, Daily devotionsencouraged. 1 Let sinners take...
The New Testament Checked the Imaginative Creation of Events in...
... creation of events in the scheme of Salvation, whether freely or according to existing
models; but it called forth or at leastencouraged the intellectual...
The Secret of Courage
... 'But Davidencouraged himself in the Lord his God.'"1 Samuel 30:6.... No. 'But David
encouraged himself in the Lord his God.'. Now the first thing I notice is....
Thesaurus
Encouraged (37 Occurrences)...Encouraged (37 Occurrences).
... Acts 15:32 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves,
encouraged the brothers with many words, and strengthened them.
...Encouragement (25 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 20:2 When he had gone through those parts, and hadencouraged
them with many words, he came into Greece. (See RSV NIV)....
Encourage (34 Occurrences)
... Acts 11:23 On getting there he was delighted to see the grace which God had bestowed;
and heencouraged them all to remain, with fixed resolve, faithful to the...
Jahaziel (6 Occurrences)
... (4.) The son of Zechariah, a Levite of the family of Asaph (2 Chronicles 20:14-17).
Heencouraged Jehoshaphat against the Moabites and Ammonites. Int....
Encourages (4 Occurrences)
... tribulation, that we may be able to encourage those who are in any tribulation whatever,
through the encouragement with which we ourselves areencouraged of God...
Arrived (129 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Acts 18:27 When he had determined to pass over into Achaia, the brothers
encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him....
Isaiah (64 Occurrences)
... power; but on his accession to the throne, Hezekiah (BC 726), who "rebelled against
the king of Assyria" (2 Kings 18:7), in which he wasencouraged by Isaiah...
Brothers (574 Occurrences)
... (WEB BBE NIV). Acts 15:32 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves,encouraged
the brothers with many words, and strengthened them. (WEB BBE NIV)....
Nero
... but through the city of Rome also, whither all things horrible and disgraceful flow,
from all quarters, as to a common receptacle, and where they areencouraged...
Visited (40 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:40 They went out of the prison, and entered into Lydia's house. When they
had seen the brothers, theyencouraged them, and departed. (See RSV)....
Resources
How can I stay encouraged when finding a good job seems impossible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about remarriage after the death of your spouse? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are indulgences and plenary indulgences and is the concept biblical? | GotQuestions.orgEncouraged: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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