Encouragement, examples of

Believers can encourage one another to have greater confidence in God and so to be bolder in living out their faith.

In the OT

2 Chronicles 32:6–7 King Hezekiah encourages his people. See also Judges 20:21–22; 1 Samuel 23:16; 1 Chronicles 11:10; 2 Chronicles 30:22, 2 Chronicles 35:2 King Josiah; Nehemiah 9:26; Daniel 2:18; Zechariah 8:20–22; Malachi 3:16

Hezekiah appointed military commanders over the people and gathered the people in the square of the city gate. Then he encouraged them, saying, “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater One with us than with him.

In the NT

Acts 11:22–23; 1 Thessalonians 2:11–12 See also Acts 4:36, Acts 13:43, Acts 14:21–22 Paul and Barnabas; Acts 15:32, Acts 16:40, Acts 18:27–28, Acts 20:1–2 after Paul's ministry in Ephesus; Romans 1:11–12 Paul to the church at Rome; 2 Corinthians 7:4, 2 Corinthians 7:13; Ephesians 6:21–22 Paul's fellow-worker, Tychicus; Philippians 1:14 Paul in prison; Colossians 4:8; 1 Thessalonians 3:2 Timothy; 1 Thessalonians 3:7; Philemon 1:7; Hebrews 13:22; 1 Peter 5:12

When news of this reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to abide in the Lord with all their hearts.

For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children— encouraging you, comforting you, and urging you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Encouragement as exhortation in the life of faith

Colossians 1:28 Paul describes his ministry. See also Luke 3:18 John the Baptist; Romans 12:1, Romans 15:30; 1 Corinthians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 16:15–16; 2 Corinthians 2:7–8 dealing with a repentant member; 2 Corinthians 6:1; Ephesians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:10; Hebrews 13:19; 1 Peter 2:11; Jude 1:3

We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

Commands to encourage others

Isaiah 35:3–4 Deuteronomy 1:38, Deuteronomy 3:28; 2 Samuel 19:7 to David; Isaiah 1:17; Romans 12:6–8, Romans 15:2; 1 Corinthians 14:12; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 4:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 1 Timothy 5:1; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9 the church overseer; Titus 2:15; Hebrews 3:13, Hebrews 10:25

Strengthen the limp hands and steady the feeble knees! Say to those with anxious hearts: “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance. With divine retribution He will come to save you.”

Failure to encourage

Ezekiel 34:4 Condemnation of Israel's leaders. See also Job 16:2; Psalm 69:20; Ecclesiastes 4:1; Ezekiel 16:49; Zechariah 10:2

You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.

Refusing to be comforted

Genesis 37:34–35 See also Psalm 77:2; Jeremiah 31:15; Matthew 2:18

Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth around his waist, and mourned for his son many days. All his sons and daughters tried to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. “No, ” he said. “I will go down to Sheol mourning for my son.” So his father wept for him.

Scripture censures those who encourage others to do evil

2 Chronicles 22:2–3 See also 2 Samuel 11:25 after David and Joab had arranged Uriah's death; Psalm 64:5 evildoers; Isaiah 41:7 makers of idols; Jeremiah 23:14, Jeremiah 29:8; Ezekiel 13:22–23; 1 Corinthians 8:9–10

Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year. His mother’s name was Athaliah, the granddaughter of Omri. Ahaziah also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor in wickedness.