![]() ![]() Paul's classic passages on comfort ( 2 Cor 1:3-7 7:2-16 ) suggest the dominant note of encouragement. In these instances the meaning is closely related to "console." ![]() ![]() But the mothers whose children have been murdered by Herod refuse to be comforted ( Matt 2:18 ). The second beatitude offers a blessing to those who mourn, "for they will be comforted" ( Matt 5:4 ). Further meanings are to comfort, to encourage, to cheer up, to exhort. In the New Testament the words parakaleo and paraklesis come from the verb kaleo, meaning "to call, " and the preposition para, "alongside of." The meaning is to call or summon to one's aid, to call for help, to stand alongside of. Isaiah intends to bring comfort as he echoes God's presence among his people: "So do not fear, for I am with you" ( 41:10 ). The command of Moses to not be afraid ( Exod 14:13 20:20 ) is a command intended to bring comfort to the people. The gospel is given in Isaiah 40:1, where he exhorts, "Comfort, comfort my people, says your God." The final twenty-six chapters of Isaiah are often called "the volume of comfort" with its promise of present comfort and the future promise of the suffering servant who comes to give hope, help, and release "to comfort all who mourn" ( 61:3 ). God is not only the creator God who consoles, but he comes in time of calamity and gives help. In the Old Testament naham is most often translated "to comfort." God is the God of all comfort: "I, even I, am he who comforts you" ( Isa 51:12 see also Isaiah 51:3 Isaiah 51:19 ). Synonymous words are console, help, give relief, cheer up, exhort, and fear not. The basic concept for comfort in both the Old and New Testaments is encouragement, whether by words or the presence of another to help in time of need. ![]()
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