MinistryMessages
January 12, 2016
This entry is part [part not set] of 2576 in the series Daily Words for the Christian Life
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
The Greek word for “encouragement” in this verse is paraklesis. This word begins with the prefix para, which means “beside” (Kittel, p. 771). When we properly encourage others, we do not merely encourage them to go on. Rather, something of us goes with them for their going on. In our encouragement, we walk beside them.
Adapted from Philippians: That I May Gain Christ, page 91.
Tomorrow: “Encouragement in Christ” (3)