exhortation
Exhortation is earnest biblical encouragement or appeal that urges people to believe, obey, persevere, or act faithfully. In Scripture it may include comfort, warning, instruction, and strengthening.
At a Glance
Exhortation is earnest biblical encouragement or appeal that urges people to believe, obey, persevere, or act faithfully. In Scripture it may include comfort, warning, instruction, and strengthening.
Description
Exhortation is the act of urging, encouraging, appealing to, or strengthening someone in light of God’s truth. In Scripture, exhortation is not merely positive motivation; it includes calling people to repentance, faith, obedience, perseverance, love, and steadfastness under trial. It may be expressed through preaching, teaching, pastoral counsel, mutual encouragement among believers, or the recognized ministry of one who especially strengthens others. Because the biblical usage is broad, the safest definition is that exhortation is Spirit-enabled, truth-governed encouragement and appeal directed toward faithful response to God. Depending on the passage, it may emphasize comfort, warning, instruction, or moral urgency.