Exhort

Exhort - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

EXHORT', v.t. egzhort'. [L. exhortor; ex and hortor, to encourage, to embolden, to cheer, to advise. The primary sense seems to be to excite or to give strength, spirit or courage.]

1. To incite by words or advice; to animate or urge by arguments to a good deed or to any laudable conduct or course of action.

I exhort you to be of good cheer. Acts 27.

Young men also exhort to be sober minded.

Exhort servants to be obedient to their masters. Titus 2.

2. To advise; to warn; to caution.

3. To incite or stimulate to exertion.

EXHORT', v.i. To deliver exhortation; to use words or arguments to incite to good deeds.

And with many other words did he testify and exhort. Acts 2.

Exhortation - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

EXHORTA'TION, n. The act or practice of exhorting; the act of inciting to laudable deeds; incitement to that which is good or commendable.

1. The form of words intended to incite and encourage.

2. Advice; counsel.

ek-sor-ta'-shun (paraklesis):

The Greek word translated "exhortation" (paraklesis) signifies, originally, "a calling near or for" (as an advocate or helper who should appeal on one's behalf), and carries the twofold sense of "exhortation" and "consolation" (which see). In the Septuagint of the Old Testament it is used in the sense of "consolation"; but in /APC 2Macc 7:24, it is translated "exhort," the Revised Version (British and American) "appeal." The verb parakaleo is also translated "exhortation" (1 Macc 13:3 the King James Version) and "exhort" ( /APC 2Macc 9:26). In the New Testament paraklesis is translated "exhortation" (Ac 13:15; Ro 12:8, the Revised Version (British and American) "exhorting"; 1Co 14:3, the English Revised Version "comfort," the American Revised Version, margin "or comfort"; 2Co 8:17; 1Th 2:3; 1Ti 4:13; Heb 12:5; 13:22). the American Standard Revised Version has also "exhortation," instead of "consolation" in Php 2:1. In Lu 3:18, parakaleo, "to call near or for," is translated "exhortation," "and many other things in his exhortation," the Revised Version (British and American) "with many other exhortations," and in Ac 20:2, parakaleo logo pollo is rendered (the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American)), "had given them much exhortation."

W. L. Walker

Definition

The term “exhort” means to strongly encourage and urge someone to do what is right. Such encouragement is called “exhortation.”

• The purpose of exhortation is to persuade other people to avoid sin and follow God’s will.
• The New Testament teaches Christians to exhort each other in love, not harshly or abruptly.

Translation Suggestions

• Depending on the context, “exhort” could also be translated as “strongly urge” or “persuade” or “advise.”
• Make sure the translation of this term does not imply that the exhorter is angry. The term should convey strength and seriousness, but should not refer to angry speech.
• In most contexts, the term “exhort” should be translated differently than “encourage,” which means to inspire, reassure, or comfort someone.
• Usually this term will also be translated differently from “admonish,” which means to warn or correct someone for his wrong behavior.

Bible References

• 1 Thessalonians 2:3-4
• 1 Thessalonians 2:12
• 1 Timothy 5:2
• Luke 3:18

Word Data

• Strong’s: G38670, G38700, G38740, G43890