Exhortation

"And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words." (Hebrews 13: 22 KJV)

"Exhortation" is from the Greek word "paraklēsis" and, according to Strong, signifies, among other things, "a calling near, summons, (esp. for help)," and then an "importation," or a supplication," or an entreaty or admonition," an encouragement, consolation, comfort, solace" or "that which affords refreshment."

Particularly from its use in the New Testament, an exhortation is mostly seen as a "persuasive discourse," or as a "stirring address," an "instructive, admonitory, conciliatory, powerful hortatory discourse."

"Suffer the word of exhortation," that is, endure it, allow it, or more literally, "stand up erect under," as opposed to bowing, slumping, or failing under an admonition. A Christian will reveal the level of his strength and maturity in Christ by how he reacts to the word of exhortation.

"And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on." (Acts 13: 15 KJV)

From this verse it is clear that it was a common practice in the synogogues, in the days of Christ and his apostles, for Jewish brethren to be allowed to speak to the worshippers by way of exhortation. It is obvious too that the first disciples, being mostly Jewish, used these opportunities to speak of Christ and the good news of his death for sin and resurrection to glory. Further, it is evident, from verses to follow, from the New Testament, that the practice of "exhortation" was encouraged, not only for ministers, pastors and teachers, but for all Christians.

"Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people." (Luke 3: 17, 18 KJV)

John the Baptist, the greatest prophet of Israel, besides Christ himself, the one who was divinely chosen to be the formal announcer of the arrival of Israel's king, confined his preaching mostly to the rural areas around Jerusalem and his preaching and prophesying was full of the word of exhortation. John's exhortation was not confined to the already saved, but was addressed to all men, including the most wicked.

"But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." (I Corinthians 14: 3 KJV)

The speaking and oratory of the prophet had a singular, yet threefold goal, with regard to his audience's reaction to his speaking the word of God. He intended that the revealing of God's word to the people bring certain effects, specifically their edification (or their betterment or building up), and their "exhortation" and their "comfort" (or consolation or strengthening).

Exhortation may be given either in the imperative form, as in a command, telling men what they must do, or it may be given in the indicative form, as when men are told what they "should" or "ought" to do. Exhortations generally include earnest pleas, and urgent appeals, and warnings.

"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation..." (Romans 12: 6-8 KJV)

Every prophet has a gift or aptness to exhort. It is part of his ministerial gift. Yet, one does not have to be a prophet to exhort. Some indeed have greater abilities in the practice of exhorting saint and sinner. These ought to be recognized by the church and the gifted exhorters should be given ample opportunity to address the brotherhood. The church is much better off when the work of exhortation is shared and not left simply to the prophets, elders, or pastors.

"Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more." (I Thessalonians 4: 1 KJV)

This is the ultimate end of exhortation and of all comfort and encouragement. It is designed to bring believers into a state where they please the Lord more and more. It is designed to increase their spirituality and holiness, their closeness and affinity with the Lord.

"Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine." (I Timothy 4: 13 KJV)

Oh how many Christians and churches absent themselves from this duty! From this privilege! Parents, in this day, have all but lost the will and wisdom to properly exhort their children. Political leaders also have debased themselves to where all they want to do is to "tickle the ear" rather than to exhort the people.

"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine." (II Timothy 4: 2 KJV)

"Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." (Titus 1: 9 KJV)

"These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee." (Titus 2: 15 KJV)

These verses show us that exhortation, as a part of formal Christian discourse, is nearly always associated with other parts, such as with "reproving" and "rebuking," or with "correcting" and "denunciation."

These verses also give us the "means" whereby this exhortation is to be done, if it is to be productive of spiritual good, and meet with the approval of the Lord. One does not exhort in his own authority, but in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, by his delegated authority, and he also exhorts by the power of the word of God, not by the words of men, and he also exhorts with "all longsuffering." The exhorter is patient and gentle in his admonitions and in his provocative speech.

"Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men." (I Thessalonians 5: 14 KJV)

"But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." (Hebrews 3: 13 KJV)

"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." (Hebrews 10: 25 KJV)

Thus, every member of the body of Christ ought to be striving to be greater and more effective exhorters of the people. What a great revival would ensue were all the members trained and gifted in the art and science of the ministry of exhortation.

"And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece, And there abode three months." (Acts 20: 1-3 KJV)

"Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord." (Acts 11: 23 KJV)

"Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." (Acts 14: 22 KJV)

"And Judas and Silas, being prophets also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed them." (Acts 15: 32 KJV)

Thus we see how the practice of exhortation was not only commonly practiced in the Jewish synogogues, but also in the Christian church, both in public gatherings, and in private ones.

"Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread." (II Thessalonians 3: 12 KJV)

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men." (I Timothy 2: 1 KJV)

"And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort." (I Timothy 6: 2 KJV)

"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." (Jude 1: 3 KJV)

"And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth." (Hebrews 12: 5, 6 KJV)

These verses, taken together, give us insight into what is the intent of all exhortation. It is to produce greater conformity to holiness, to effect greater obedience to the word and will of God. The exhorter encourages, and incites, and provokes people to do their duty, to do what is good and wise. The exhorter has the good of the people and the glory of God as his goal.

"For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts...As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children." (I Thessalonians 2: 3, 4, 11 KJV)

Yes, in the world, there are those who exhort for evil ends, being done in deceit, under a guise; However, such is not the case with God's servants who exhort men in their duties and obligations to their God and Creator.

"And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." (Acts 2: 40 KJV)