Description
The spiritual gift of encouragement (exhortation) comes from the Greek word paraklésis, which means "a calling to one’s side."
It is the spiritual ability to come alongside someone during a trial, delivering timely comfort, biblical counsel, and the strength needed to hold onto faith.
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Romans 12:8 says: "Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness."
This instructs those with the gift of encouragement to give regular encouragement.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 says: "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."
This Scripture commands believers to encourage one another and build each other up.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says: "And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
This Scripture encourages believers to meet together to stir up love and good works.
Acts 4:36 says: "And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas... The son of consolation..."
This highlights Barnabas, whose name means "Son of Encouragement." He was given this name by the apostles because of his specific gift for lifting up, comforting, and counseling others.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says: "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."
This means that God comforts us so that we can comfort others in any trouble.