Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Meaning:Solace refers to comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness. In the biblical context, solace is often associated with the comfort provided by God, His Word, and His people to those who are suffering or in need.
Biblical Instances and Themes:1.
God as the Source of Solace: The Bible frequently portrays God as the ultimate source of comfort and solace. In
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 , Paul writes, "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." This passage highlights the divine nature of solace, emphasizing that God not only provides comfort but also equips believers to extend that comfort to others.
2.
The Role of Scripture: The Word of God is a significant source of solace for believers.
Romans 15:4 states, "For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope." The Scriptures offer encouragement and hope, serving as a balm for the weary soul.
3.
The Holy Spirit as Comforter: Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as a Comforter to His disciples. In
John 14:16-17 , Jesus says, "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 provides solace by dwelling within believers, guiding, and sustaining them through life's challenges.
4.
Community and Fellowship: The Christian community is called to be a source of solace for one another.
Galatians 6:2 instructs, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Fellowship among believers is a means through which God’s comfort is manifested, as they support and encourage each other.
5.
Prayer as a Means of Solace: Prayer is a vital practice for seeking solace.
Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Through prayer, believers find peace and comfort in God’s presence.
6.
Examples of Solace in the Psalms: The Psalms are replete with expressions of seeking and finding solace in God.
Psalm 23:4 declares, "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." The psalmist finds solace in God’s presence and protection, even in the darkest times.
7.
Jesus’ Compassion and Solace: Jesus Himself provided solace to those in distress. In
Matthew 11:28 , He invites, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Jesus’ ministry was marked by acts of compassion and comfort, offering rest to the weary and hope to the hopeless.
Conclusion:While solace is a deeply personal experience, it is also a communal and divine gift. The Bible presents solace as a multifaceted concept, rooted in the character of God, the truth of Scripture, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the love of the Christian community. Through these means, believers are assured of God’s unwavering comfort and are called to be conduits of that solace to others.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Comfort in grief; alleviation of grief or anxiety; also, that which relieves in distress; that which cheers or consoles; relief.
2. (v. t.) Rest; relaxation; ease.
3. (n.) To cheer in grief or under calamity; to comfort; to relieve in affliction, solitude, or discomfort; to console; -- applied to persons; as, to solace one with the hope of future reward.
4. (n.) To allay; to assuage; to soothe; as, to solace grief.
5. (v. i.) To take comfort; to be cheered.
Greek
3931. paregoria -- exhortation, comfort... comfort. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: paregoria Phonetic Spelling:
(par-ay-gor-ee'-ah) Short Definition:
solace, consolation Definition
...3874. paraklesis -- a calling to one's aid, ie encouragement...
... comfort, consolation, exhortation, entreaty. From parakaleo; imploration, hortation,
solace -- comfort, consolation, exhortation, intreaty. see GREEK parakaleo....
Strong's Hebrew
5205. nid -- quivering motion (of lips)... 5204b, 5205. nid. 5206 . quivering motion (of lips). Transliteration:
nid Phonetic Spelling: (need) Short Definition:
solace. Word
...5965. alas -- to rejoice
... Exult, wave joyously. A primitive root; to leap for joy, ie Exult, wave joyously --
X peacock, rejoice,solace self. 5964, 5965. alas. 5966 . Strong's Numbers
8575. tanchum -- consolation
... comfort, consolation. Or tanchum {tan-khoom'}; and (feminine) tanchuwmah
{tan-khoo-maw'}; from nacham; compassion,solace -- comfort, consolation....
5150. nichum -- comfort, compassion
... comfortable, repenting. Or nichum {nee-khoom'}; from nacham; properly, consoled;
abstractly,solace -- comfort(-able), repenting. see HEBREW nacham....
Library
That TrueSolace is to be Sought in God Alone
... THE THIRD BOOK. ON INWARD CONSOLATION CHAPTER XVI That truesolace is to
be sought in God alone. Whatsoever I am able to desire or...
Sweet is theSolace of Thy Love,
... Sweet is thesolace of Thy love,. 8,6,8,6,8,6 "I, even I, am He that comforteth
you." " Isaiah 2:12. Sweet is thesolace of Thy love,....
TheSolace of Faith.
... DEVOUT EXERCISES. 471. " TheSolace of Faith. 471. LM Roscoe. TheSolace
of Faith. 1 When human hopes and joys depart, I give...
Because Thou Hast Forsaken theSolace and the Joy of this World...
... CHAPTER II. Because thou hast forsaken thesolace and the joy of this world?... They
see our body: but they see not our heart where oursolace is....
TheSolace of the Life to Come.
... THESOLACE OF THE LIFE TO COME. 8,8,8,8,8,8 Nach einer Pr?�fung kurzer Tage.
[342]Christian F?�rchtegott Gellert. trans. by Catherine Winkworth, 1869....
The Master.
... there." Ah! little did they know how much nobler was her motive"how truer
and grander thesolace she sought and found. There is...
Letter xxxix (AD 1137) to the Same.
... But against all these things onesolace was given me from above, instead of His
glorious countenance which has not yet been revealed, and that is the sight of...
That Perfect Love Binds to God Without Loosing and Makes Man...
... If certain I love any creature of this world that shall in all kinds please my wish
and set my joy and the end of mysolace in it, when it should come to me I...
Of the Excellence of Ghostly Song: and that it Neither Can be Said...
... Therefore the singer is led into all mirth, and, the well of endless heat breaking
forth in mirth, he is received into halsing and singularsolace, and the...
The Mourner's Comfort.
... VIII. THE MOURNER'S COMFORT. Martha's tearful utterances are now met with
an exaltedsolace. "Thy brother shall rise again." It...
Thesaurus
Solace (2 Occurrences)... To cheer in grief or under calamity; to comfort; to relieve in affliction, solitude,
or discomfort; to console; -- applied to persons; as, to
solace one with
...Sojourns (18 Occurrences)
Lessen (4 Occurrences)
... murmur against you." (See NAS). Job 16:5 but I would strengthen you with my
mouth. Thesolace of my lips would relieve you. (See NAS)....
Relieve (14 Occurrences)
... cave. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Job 16:5 but I would strengthen you with my mouth.
Thesolace of my lips would relieve you. (WEB). Psalms...
Cheer (22 Occurrences)
... cheerful; -- often with up. 7. (vt) To infuse life, courage, animation, or hope,
into; to inspirit; tosolace or comfort. 8. (vt) To salute...
Comfort (130 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Assistance; relief; support. 5. (n.) Encouragement;solace;
consolation in trouble; also, that which affords consolation....
Assuage (1 Occurrence)
... Assuage (1 Occurrence). Job 16:5 But I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the
solace of my lips would assuage your grief. (ASV DBY JPS WBS RSV)....
Solam (1 Occurrence)
Support (135 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To keep from failing or sinking; tosolace under afflictive circumstances;
to assist; to encourage; to defend; as, to support the courage or spirits....
Relief (32 Occurrences)
... should come. (See JPS). Job 16:5 but I would strengthen you with my mouth.
Thesolace of my lips would relieve you. (See NIV). Job 32...
Resources
What is the key to not being afraid according to the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I gain a passion for winning souls? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is idol worship such a powerful temptation? | GotQuestions.orgSolace: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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