Encouragement

Encouragement is strengthening and urging others on in faith, hope and good works. The King James Version often uses the words "exhort", "edify" and "comfort".

Encourage one another

• 1 Thessalonians 5:11
  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.
  Show context · Read 1 Thessalonians 5 →
• Hebrews 3:13
  But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
  Show context · Read Hebrews 3 →
• Hebrews 10:24-25
  ²⁴And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. ²⁵Not 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.Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
  Show context · Read Hebrews 10 →

Words that build up

• Ephesians 4:29
  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
  Show context · Read Ephesians 4 →
• Proverbs 12:25
  Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.Anxiety weighs down the heart of a man, but a good word cheers it up.
  Show context · Read Proverbs 12 →
• Proverbs 16:24
  Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
  Show context · Read Proverbs 16 →
• Isaiah 50:4
  The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.
  Show context · Read Isaiah 50 →

Examples of encouragement

• Deuteronomy 3:28
  But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.But commission Joshua, encourage him, and strengthen him, for he will cross over ahead of the people and enable them to inherit the land that you will see.”
  Show context · Read Deuteronomy 3 →
• 1 Samuel 23:16
  And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God,
  Show context · Read 1 Samuel 23 →
• Acts 4:36
  And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (meaning Son of Encouragement),
  Show context · Read Acts 4 →
• Acts 11:23
  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.When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to abide in the Lord with all their hearts.
  Show context · Read Acts 11 →
• Acts 14:22
  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.strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. “We must endure many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.
  Show context · Read Acts 14 →

Encouragement from God

• 1 Samuel 30:6
  And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.And David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of every man grieved for his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God.
  Show context · Read 1 Samuel 30 →
• Romans 15:4-5
  ⁴For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope. ⁵Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:Now may the God who gives endurance and encouragement grant you harmony with one another in Christ Jesus,
  Show context · Read Romans 15 →
• 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
  ¹⁶Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who by grace has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope, ¹⁷Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good word and deed.
  Show context · Read 2 Thessalonians 2 →

See also

• Comfort
• Speech
• Fellowship
• Kindness

Notes

1. Verses are quoted in the translation chosen in the Translation menu at the top of the page. See Translations for sources and copyright notices.
2. Each reference links to the full chapter so the verse can be read in context.