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Bible Dictionaries
Comfort, Comforter, Comfortless

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

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A — 1: παράκλησις

(Strong's #3874 — Noun Feminine — paraklesis — par-ak'-lay-sis )

means "a calling to one's side" (para, "beside," kaleo, "to call"); hence, either "an exhortation, or consolation, comfort," e.g., Luke 2:25 (here "looking for the consolation of Israel" is equivalent to waiting for the coming of the Messiah); Luke 6:24; Acts 9:31; Romans 15:4,5; 1 Corinthians 14:3 , "exhortation;" 2 Corinthians 1:3-7; 7:4,7,13; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; Philemon 1:7 . In 2 Thessalonians 2:16 it combines encouragement with alleviation of grief. The RV changes "consolation" into "comfort," except in Luke 2:25; 6:24; Acts 15:31; in Hebrews 6:18 , "encouragement;" in Acts 4:36 , "exhortation." RV (AV, consolation"). See CONSOLATION , ENCOURAGEMENT , EXHORTATION , INTREATY.

A — 2: παραμυθία

(Strong's #3889 — Noun Feminine — paramuthia — par-am-oo-thee'-ah )

primarily "a speaking closely to anyone" (para, "near," muthos, "speech"), hence denotes "consolation, comfort," with a greater degree of tenderness than No. 1,1 Corinthians 14:3 .

A — 3: παραμύθιον

(Strong's #3890 — Noun Neuter — paramuthion — par-am-oo'-thee-on )

has the same meaning as No. 2, the difference being that paramuthia stresses the process or progress of the act, paramuthion the instrument as used by the agent, Philippians 2:1 .

A — 4: παρηγορία

(Strong's #3931 — Noun Feminine — paregoria — par-ay-gor-ee'-ah )

primarily "an addressing, address," hence denotes "a soothing, solace," Colossians 4:11 . A verbal form of the word signifies medicines which allay irritation (Eng., "paregoric").

A — 5: παράκλητος

(Strong's #3875 — Noun Masculine — parakletos — par-ak'-lay-tos )

lit., "called to one's side," i.e., to one's aid is primarily a verbal adjective, and suggests the capability or adaptability for giving aid. It was used in a court of justice to denote a legal assistant, counsel for the defense, an advocate; then, generally, one who pleads another's cause, an intercessor, advocate, as in 1 John 2:1 , of the Lord Jesus. In the widest sense, it signifies a "succorer, comforter." Christ was this to His disciples, by the implication of His word "another (allos, "another of the same sort," not heteros, "different") Comforter," when speaking of the Holy Spirit, John 14:16 . In John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7 He calls Him "the Comforter." "Comforter" or "Consoler" corresponds to the name "Menahem," given by the Hebrews to the Messiah.

B — 1: παρακαλέω

(Strong's #3870 — Verb — parakaleo — par-ak-al-eh'-o )

has the same variety of meanings as Noun, No. 1, above, e.g., Matthew 2:18; 1 Thessalonians 3:2,7; 4:18 . In 2 Corinthians 13:11 , it signifies "to be comforted" (so the RV). See BESEECH.

B — 2: συμπαρακαλέω

(Strong's #4837 — Verb — sumparakaleo — soom-par-ak-al-eh'-o )

sun, "with," and No. 1, signifies "to comfort together," Romans 1:12 .

B — 3: παραμυθέομαι

(Strong's #3888 — Verb — paramutheomai — par-am-oo-theh'-om-ahee )

akin to Noun No. 2, "to soothe, console, encourage," is translated, in John 11:31 , "comforted;" in John 11:19 , RV, "encourage," as the sense there is that of stimulating to the earnest discharge of duties. See CONSOLE , ENCOURAGE.

B — 4: εὐψυχέω

(Strong's #2174 — Verb — eupsucheo — yoo-psoo-kheh'-o )

signifies "to be of good comfort" (eu, "well," psuche, "the soul"), Philippians 2:19 .

Notes: (1) For the verb tharseo, "be of good comfort, see CHEER , No. 2.

(2) Orphanos is rendered "comfortless" in John 14:18 , AV; RV, "desolate." See DESOLATE , FATHERLESS.

Bibliography Information
Vines, W. E., M. A. Entry for 'Comfort, Comforter, Comfortless'. Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ved/​c/comfort-comforter-comfortless.html. 1940.
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