Austin Bible Church
New Testament Sources
In the Church Age, the Holy Spirit is the ultimate source of encouragement for all believers. Every believer has the permanent indwelling of the Spirit, the filling of the Spirit, the ministry of the Spirit in teaching, learning, mentoring, and applying Bible doctrine. From the epignosis Bible doctrine in your soul, you counsel yourself, you comfort yourself, you warn yourself, you advise yourself. The believer is commanded to continue in learning Bible doctrine from their pastor‑teacher. 2 Peter 3:18.
"but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18, NASB)
Encouragement comes to a person through the communication of doctrine. 1 Cor. 14:3.
“But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.” (1 Corinthians 14:3, NASB)
Encouragement is based on our position in Christ. Phil. 2:1.
“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion,” (Philippians 2:1, NASB)
Exhorting and encouraging was to be a part of the regular ministry of Titus. 1 Tim. 4:13.
“Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching.” (1 Timothy 4:13, NASB)
Encouragement under chastening comes by knowing that this is an expression of love of the Father and done for your betterment. Heb. 12:5.
“and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, "MY SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR FAINT WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM;” (Hebrews 12:5, NASB)
The Jewish believers were encouraged to accept the written word of Paul to them in Hebrews 13:22.
“But I urge you, brethren, bear with this word of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.” (Hebrews 13:22, NASB)
Consolation or comfort or encouragement based on possessions, things, and experiences are often more detrimental than helpful. Luke 6:24; Luke 16:25.
“"But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full.” (Luke 6:24, NASB)
“"But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.” (Luke 16:25, NASB)
Paul had a deep inner encouragement and comfort through his relationship with the Corinthian believers. 2 Cor. 7:4.
“Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.” (2 Corinthians 7:4, NASB)
Real true comfort and encouragement come through the Scriptures. Rom. 15:5.
“Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,” (Romans 15:5, NASB)
Comfort and encouragement come directly through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. One has to be in fellowship to benefit from this ministry. Acts 9:31.
“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.” (Acts 9:31, NASB)
Believers are often comforted and encouraged by those in worse circumstances than themselves. Acts 16:40.
“They went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia, and when they saw the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.” (Acts 16:40, NASB)
We are comforted and encouraged that we might be able to comfort others. 2 Cor. 1:3-4.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NASB)
A believer who has caused grief and later changed, should be encouraged so as to not cause them personal grief. 2 Cor. 2:7.
“so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.” (2 Corinthians 2:7, NASB)
Paul was encouraged and lifted up by the arrival of Titus. 2 Cor. 7:6.
“But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus;” (2 Corinthians 7:6, NASB)
Paul had been comforted by the response of the Corinthians to his ministry. 2 Cor. 7:13.
“For this reason we have been comforted. And besides our comfort, we rejoiced even much more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.” (2 Corinthians 7:13, NASB)
A state of comfort or encouragement is enjoined upon believers. It should be pursued. 2 Cor. 13:11.
“Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2 Corinthians 13:11, NASB)
Paul sent Tychicus to Ephesus to reveal Paul’s state of affairs that it might be an encouragement to them. Eph. 6:22.
“I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts.” (Ephesians 6:22, NASB)
Paul sent Tychicus to Colossae to comfort and encourage them. Col. 4:8.
“For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts;” (Colossians 4:8, NASB)
Old Testament Sources
Moses was commanded to encourage Joshua in Deuteronomy 3:28.
“'But charge Joshua and encourage him and strengthen him, for he shall go across at the head of this people, and he will give them as an inheritance the land which you will see.'” (Deuteronomy 3:28, NASB)
People were told by Moses to encourage Joshua in Deuteronomy 1:38. The hiphil of חזק (châzaq) means to cause to be encouraged.
“'Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall enter there; encourage him, for he will cause Israel to inherit it.” (Deuteronomy 1:38, NASB)
Encouragement was given to Joshua in leadership in Deuteronomy 31:23.
“Then He commissioned Joshua the son of Nun, and said, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the sons of Israel into the land which I swore to them, and I will be with you."” (Deuteronomy 31:23, NASB)
People encouraged each other in their work in Isaiah 41:7.
“So the craftsman encourages the smelter, And he who smooths metal with the hammer encourages him who beats the anvil, Saying of the soldering, "It is good"; And he fastens it with nails, So that it will not totter.” (Isaiah 41:7, NASB)
Men of Israel encouraged themselves and went back into battle in Judges 20:22.
“But the people, the men of Israel, encouraged themselves and arrayed for battle again in the place where they had arrayed themselves the first day.” (Judges 20:22, NASB)
David encouraged himself in the Lord his God in 1 Samuel 30:6 and Psalms 18:6.
“Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6, NASB)
“In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.” (Psalms 18:6, NASB)
Israel was encouraged in view of their relationship to God in 1 Chronicles 19:13.
“"Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what is good in His sight."” (1 Chronicles 19:13, NASB)
Provision was made for the priests and Levites that they might be encouraged in 2 Chronicles 31:3-5.
“He also appointed the king's portion of his goods for the burnt offerings, namely, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths and for the new moons and for the fixed festivals, as it is written in the law of the LORD. Also he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and the Levites, that they might devote themselves to the law of the LORD. As soon as the order spread, the sons of Israel provided in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly the tithe of all.” (2 Chronicles 31:3-5, NASB)
Priests were encouraged by the king to do their functions in the house of the Lord in 2 Chronicles 35:1-2.
“Then Josiah celebrated the Passover to the LORD in Jerusalem, and they slaughtered the Passover animals on the fourteenth day of the first month. He set the priests in their offices and encouraged them in the service of the house of the LORD.” (2 Chronicles 35:1-2, NASB)
Israelites were encouraged to fulfill their responsibilities of the application of doctrine in Ezra 10:4.
“"Arise! For this matter is your responsibility, but we will be with you; be courageous and act."” (Ezra 10:4, NASB)
The courage of the believer will be given added strength in function according to Psalms 31:24.
“Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD.” (Psalms 31:24, NASB)
Encouragement is based on God’s promises and His character in Deuteronomy 31:6.
“"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."” (Deuteronomy 31:6, NASB)
Encouragement is a must because of the responsibilities at stake. Deut. 31:7.
“Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance.” (Deuteronomy 31:7, NASB)
Encouragement is given as a promise of blessing and to stay on course in Joshua 1:6-7.
“"Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. "Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:6-7, NASB)
Encouragement is based on God’s continued presence in Joshua 1:9.
“"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."” (Joshua 1:9, NASB)
Encouragement is based on the fact that the battle is the Lord’s. It doesn’t depend on you. Joshua 10:25.
“Joshua then said to them, "Do not fear or be dismayed! Be strong and courageous, for thus the LORD will do to all your enemies with whom you fight."” (Joshua 10:25, NASB)
Encouragement is based on the immutability of God. 1 Chron. 28:20.
“Then David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.” (1 Chronicles 28:20, NASB)
Encouragement is also from knowing that God is on your side. 2 Chron. 32:7-8.
“"Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him; for the one with us is greater than the one with him. "With him is only an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." And the people relied on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.” (2 Chronicles 32:7-8, NASB)