encouragement
Paraklesis denotes strengthening support, whether offered amid affliction or delivered as an appeal that calls hearers forward.
The attested use most often concerns strengthening support in affliction, pressure, hope, and communal renewal. It also names an exhorting or appealing message, whether spoken publicly, read in a letter, or received as an urging.
Senses in use
-
Strengthening support amid hardship or hope · dominant
In 2 Corinthians 1:4 the genitive singular form occurs in the clause about being comforted in affliction so that others may be comforted; the APB renders the surrounding clause with “encouragement.” In 2 Corinthians 1:5 and 2 Corinthians 1:6, the noun is set alongside sufferings, affliction, perseverance, and salvation, while Hebrews 6:18 connects strong encouragement with grasping the hope set before those seeking refuge.
-
An exhorting appeal or message · common
In Acts 13:15, the genitive singular form modifies “word” in an invitation to speak to the people. The dative singular form in 1 Timothy 4:13 stands with public reading and teaching, and Hebrews 13:22 calls the writing a “word of exhortation”; the APB presents these clauses as spoken or written urging.
-
Encouragement received within a community · occasional
Acts 15:31 reports rejoicing after a message was read, with the dative singular form in the clause rendered “at the encouragement.” In 2 Corinthians 7:7, encouragement is associated with a report of longing, mourning, and zeal, and Philemon 1:7 places it beside joy after the affection of holy ones had been refreshed.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the noun with “encouragement,” while several exhorting contexts use “exhortation” or “entreaty,” and Luke 2:25 and Luke 6:24 use “consolation” and “comfort.” Because the APB is a whole-verse translation, these variations indicate the verse contexts rather than separate fixed English equivalents.