The term "exhorts" in the biblical context refers to the act of urging, encouraging, or admonishing someone to pursue a course of action or to adhere to certain principles. This concept is deeply rooted in the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments, where leaders, prophets, apostles, and Jesus Himself often exhorted individuals and communities to live according to God's will.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, exhortation is often seen in the prophetic literature, where prophets are called to urge the people of Israel to return to God and follow His commandments. For example, in the book of Isaiah, the prophet exhorts the people to seek the Lord and forsake their wicked ways: "Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon" (Isaiah 55:6-7).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, exhortation takes on a prominent role in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus often exhorted His followers to live righteously and to love one another. In the Sermon on the Mount, He exhorts His listeners to be the light of the world and to let their good deeds shine before others (Matthew 5:14-16).

The Apostle Paul frequently uses exhortation in his epistles to encourage and instruct the early Christian communities. In his letter to the Romans, Paul writes, "We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one's gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully" (Romans 12:6-8). Here, Paul emphasizes the importance of using one's gifts to build up the body of Christ, highlighting exhortation as a vital component of Christian ministry.

In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul further exhorts the believers to live in a manner pleasing to God: "Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more" (1 Thessalonians 4:1).

Role of Exhortation in the Church

Exhortation is considered a spiritual gift and an essential function within the church. It serves to strengthen, comfort, and edify the congregation. In 1 Corinthians 14:3, Paul states, "But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, encouragement, and comfort" . This highlights the role of exhortation in building up the church and fostering spiritual growth among believers.

The pastoral epistles also emphasize the importance of exhortation in church leadership. In Titus 1:9, Paul instructs Titus to appoint elders who "hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that by sound teaching they will be able to encourage others and refute those who contradict it" . This underscores the responsibility of church leaders to exhort and guide their congregations in sound doctrine and righteous living.

Conclusion

Exhortation remains a vital aspect of Christian life and ministry, encouraging believers to pursue holiness, love, and faithful service to God and others. Through exhortation, the church is strengthened, and individuals are inspired to live out their faith in tangible and transformative ways.3870. parakaleo -- to call to or for, to exhort, to encourage
... encourage (6), encouraged (4), encouraging (3), entreat (1), exhort (8), exhortation*
(1), exhortations (1), exhorted (2), exhorting (3), exhorts (1), given (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3870.htm - 10k

And Also, when He Exhorts Us, that we Live not after the Flesh...
... Section 9. And also, when he exhorts us, that we live not after the flesh?
9. And also, when he exhorts us, that we live not after ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on continence/section 9 and also when.htm

He Exhorts the Jews to be Converted.
... Chapter CXXXVII."He exhorts the Jews to be converted. "Say no evil thing,
my brothers, against Him that was crucified, and treat ...
/.../chapter cxxxvii he exhorts the jews.htm

St. Ambrose Exhorts Parents to Train their Children to virginity.. ...
... Three Books Concerning Virgins. To Marcellina, His Sister. Book I. Chapter VII.
St. Ambrose exhorts parents to train their children to virginity? St. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vii st ambrose exhorts.htm

He Exhorts to Repentance Before Christ Comes; in whom Christians ...
... Chapter CXVIII."He exhorts to repentance before Christ comes; in whom Christians,
since they believe, are far more religious than Jews. ...
/.../chapter cxviii he exhorts to repentance.htm

Origen is the First and the Only one that Exhorts Gregory to Add ...
... Argument XI."Origen is the First and the Only One that Exhorts Gregory to Add to
His Acquirements the Study of Philosophy, and Offers Him in a Certain Manner ...
/.../argument xi origen is the first.htm

Abandonment to God --Its Fruit and Its Irrevocability --In what it ...
... A SHORT METHOD OF PRAYER. CHAPTER V. ABANDONMENT TO GOD"ITS FRUIT AND ITS
IRREVOCABILITY"IN WHAT IT CONSISTS"GOD EXHORTS US TO IT. ...
/.../chapter v abandonment to godits.htm

The Catholic Epistles.
... It exhorts the readers to good works of faith, warns them against dead orthodoxy,
covetousness, pride, and worldliness, and comforts them in view of present ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 87 the catholic epistles.htm

Letters and Edicts.
... and vice," touches on the persecutions and the fate of the persecutors, expresses
the wish that all would become Christians, praises God, and exhorts concord. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/section 3 letters and edicts.htm

The Office of the Instructor.
... But our Educator [1036] being practical, first exhorts to the attainment of right
dispositions and character, and then persuades us to the energetic practice ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter i the office of.htm

Of the Apostle's Meaning in 1 Cor. vii. 12-14.
... to a Christian." That "Holy Spirit," [452] therefore, who prefers that widows and
unmarried women should persevere in their integrity, who exhorts us to a copy ...
/.../tertullian/to his wife/chapter ii of the apostles meaning.htm

Exhorts (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Exhorts (1 Occurrence). Romans 12:8 or he who
exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with ...
/e/exhorts.htm - 6k

Exhorting (13 Occurrences)
... Romans 12:8 or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with
liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with ...
/e/exhorting.htm - 10k

Philippians (2 Occurrences)
... Paul exhorts them to be of the same mind in the Lord (Philippians 4:2). The prominence
of women in the congregation at Philippi or the dominance of Lydia's ...
/p/philippians.htm - 42k

Zeal (45 Occurrences)
... Romans 12:8 or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with
liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with ...
/z/zeal.htm - 21k

Leads (64 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Romans 12:8 or he that exhorts, in exhortation; he that gives, in simplicity;
he that leads, with diligence; he that shews mercy, with cheerfulness. ...
/l/leads.htm - 23k

Liberality (7 Occurrences)
... Romans 12:8 or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with
liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with ...
/l/liberality.htm - 10k

Liberal (11 Occurrences)
... (WEY RSV). Romans 12:8 or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him
do it with liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with ...
/l/liberal.htm - 12k

Govern (21 Occurrences)
... Romans 12:8 or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with
liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with ...
/g/govern.htm - 12k

Galatians (2 Occurrences)
... authority (1:11-19; 2:1-14); (2) shows the evil influence of the Judaizers in
destroying the very essence of the gospel (3 and 4); (3) exhorts the Galatian ...
/g/galatians.htm - 43k

Wealthy (22 Occurrences)
... and as well-pleasing to God. The parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16)
exhorts us to "make.... friends by means of the mammon ...
/w/wealthy.htm - 17k

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