An Introductory Word from Bob: Biblical Words Related to Biblical Counseling
You’re reading Post #3 in my series on Biblical Counseling Word Studies.
- Read Post #1 Here: Biblical Counseling Word Study #1: Parakaleo—Empathize, Encourage, Exhort, Empower.
- Read Post #2 Here: Biblical Counseling Word Study #2: Parakletos—The Holy Spirit, Our Gospel-Reminding Counselor.
There are many words in the Old Testament and New Testament that relate to one-another ministry, biblical counseling, soul care, pastoral care, shepherding, spiritual friendship, and being a soul physician. In this series on Biblical Counseling Word Studies, I’m posting about:
How we can become further equipped to counsel one another biblically by understanding and applying biblical words related to soul care.
What’s In a Name?
A couple of months ago I asked the question, Is “Biblical Counseling” the Best Term for Church-Based Soul Care? After sharing my thoughts, including over a dozen potential optional terms for church-based soul care, I concluded by acknowledging that there is no one right term. I still agree with that conclusion.
So today’s post is not suggesting that “Parakaletic Counseling” is the best term for what we often today call “biblical counseling” or “soul care.” In fact, I would not want a new term like “Parakaletic Counseling” to become any official “model.” There are more than enough names, models, and labels around these days.
Today’s post is more of “an exercise in emphasis.” Here’s what I’m suggesting:
Given the prevalence, priority, and purpose of the parakaleo/paraklasis/parakletos word group, if we had to choose one Greek word to name our counseling, “Parakaletic” would be a comprehensive, compassionate biblical name for biblical counseling.
20 Reasons Why “Parakaletic” Would Be a Comprehensive, Compassionate Summary of Biblical Counseling and Soul Care
Reason #1: The Comprehensiveness of Parakaleo/Paraklasis/Parakletos
In Post #1 in this biblical word study series, I outlined how the parakaleo word group comprehensively covers the four classic aspects of historic Christian soul care:
- Sustaining Empathy for Saints Who Suffer
- Healing Encouragement for Saints Who Suffer
- Reconciling Exhortation for Saints Who Battle Against Sin
- Guiding Empowerment/Equipping for Saints Growing in Sanctification
Rather than highlighting one primary aspect of biblical counseling, like some words and models tend to do, parakaleo comprehensively emphasizes a full-orbed approach to who we are in Christ as saints who endure suffering and battle sin on our sanctification journey.
As biblical counselors, we would be wise to follow such a compassionately comprehensive biblical approach to soul care.
Reason #2: The Consistent Connection of Parakletos and Parakaleo with the Trinity
In Post #2 in this series, we saw how the Bible calls Christ and the Holy Spirit our Parakletos: Counselor, Comforter, Advocate, Encourager, Discipler, Empowerer, Equipper. We also saw that God the Father is called “the Father of encouragement” (paraklasis).
We find direct connections between the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and paraklasis, parakaleo, and Parakletos in at least the following 11 passages:
John 14:16; John 14:26; John 15:26; John 16:7; Acts 9:31; Romans 15:4-6; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4; 2 Corinthians 7:6; Philippians 2:1; 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17; and 1 John 2:1.
Our counsel ought to reflect our Wonderful Counselor—the Parakletos.
Reason #3: The Consistent Connection of Parakaleo/Paraklasis with the Purpose of Scripture
- Paul tells us in Romans 15:4, that a primary purpose of the Bible is to give us hope “through the encouragement (parakleseos) of Scripture.”
- The author of Hebrews labels Proverbs (specifically Proverbs 3:11-12), the “word of encouragement” (paraklasis) (Hebrews 12:5).
- The author of Hebrews also calls his whole epistle a “word of encouragement” (parakleseos).
- Peter summarizes the purpose of his epistle as “exhorting” (parakalon) (1 Peter 5:12).
- Jude describes his purpose as writing to “encourage you” (parakalon).
- In 1 Timothy 4:13, Paul commands Timothy to see his calling as being devoted to reading of Scripture, to encouraging/exhorting (paraklasis), and to teaching (didaskalia).
Surely biblical counseling should parallel the purpose of Scripture—encouragement and exhortation—parakaletic biblical counseling.
Reason #4: The Sheer Frequency of Parakaleo in the New Testament
As I noted in Post #1 in this series, New Testament writers use forms of the parakaleo word group 143 times. By comparison, noutheteo (from which Jay Adams developed Nouthetic Counseling) and its family of Greek New Testament words is used only 11 times.
Clearly the Bible emphasizes word-based parakaletic ministry.
Reason #5: Parakaletic Ministry Is a Primary Aspect of Paul’s Calling
In at least 48 verses, Paul, in many diverse ways, describes his ministry calling, identifies his regular practice of ministry activity, and labels the goal of his ministry using the parakaleo word family.
- Acts 14:22; Acts 16:40; Acts 20:1; Acts 20:2; Romans 12:1; Romans 15:30; Romans 16:17; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 16:12; 1 Corinthians 16:15; 2 Corinthians 1:4; 2 Corinthians 1:5; 2 Corinthians 1:6; 2 Corinthians 1:7; 2 Corinthians 2:8; 2 Corinthians 5:20; 2 Corinthians 6:1; 2 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 8:7; 2 Corinthians 9:5; 2 Corinthians 10:1; 2 Corinthians 12:18; Ephesians 4:1; Ephesians 6:22; Philippians 4:2; Colossians 2:2 (called it the goal of his ministry); Colossians 4:8; 1 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 1 Thessalonians 3:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:17; 2 Thessalonians 3:12; 1 Timothy 1:3; 1 Timothy 2:1; 1 Timothy 6:2; 2 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9; Titus 2:6; Titus 2:15; Philemon 1:9; Philemon 1:10.
If Paul, who followed the model of Christ, and encourages us to follow his own ministry model, focused on the parakaletic biblical ministry of comforting, empathizing, strengthening, encouraging, exhorting, urging, and empowering God’s people, then we would be wise to do the same.
Reason #6: The Bible Uses Parakaletic Words/Concepts to Describe the Mutual Ministry Calling of All Christians
In the following 10 passages, God’s Word describes biblical mutual ministry within a parakaletic context:
- 1 Corinthians 14:31; 2 Corinthians 1:3-7; 2 Corinthians 2:7; 2 Corinthians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 1 Timothy 5:1; 1 Timothy 6:2; Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:25.
We should follow this parakaletic mutual ministry calling, especially as highlighted in the following three passages:
“But encourage (parakaleite) one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by sins’ deceitfulness” (my translation of Hebrews 3:13 from the Greek).
“Not abandoning connecting in small gatherings, as is the habit of some, but rather encouraging (parakalountes) one another, and all the more since you see the Day drawing near” (my translation of Hebrews 10:25 from the Greek).
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort/encouragement (paraklasis), who comforts/encourages (parakaleo) us in all our troubles/trials, so that we may be empowered to comfort/encourage (parakaleo) all those experiencing any trouble with the comfort/encouragement (paraklasis) with which we ourselves have been comforted/encouraged (parakaleo) by God” (my translation of 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 from the Greek).
Reasons #7-15: Parakaletic Ministry Is a Primary Aspect of the Calling and Ministry of John the Baptist, Peter, Barnabas, Judas (Sent in Acts 15), Silas (Sent in Acts 15), Timothy, Elders/Overseers/Pastors, Titus, and the Author of Hebrews
As biblical counselors and scriptural soul care givers, let’s follow the ministry calling of these Christians as described in the following Scriptures:
- John the Baptist: Luke 3:18
- Peter: Acts 2:40; 1 Peter 2:11; 1 Peter 5:1; 1 Peter 5:12
- Barnabas: Acts 4:36; Acts 11:23
- Judas (Sent in Acts 15): Acts 15:32
- Silas (Sent in Acts 15): Acts 15:32
- Timothy: 2 Timothy 4:2
- Elders/Overseers/Pastors: Titus 1:9
- Titus: Titus 2:6; Titus 2:15
- The Author of Hebrews: Hebrews 13:22
Reason #16: Parakaleo Is One of the Grace-Given Spiritual Gifts
Unlike other terms that at times are ascribed to modern biblical counseling, parakaleo is named as one of the spiritual gifts (Romans 12:8). While every believer is called to the mutual ministry of parakaletic comfort/encouragement (see Reason #6), some are especially gifted in this area—and can be equippers, trainers, and coaches of others.
Reason #17: Parakaleo Is One of the Promises Christ Shares in the Beatitudes
Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:4 that “blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (parakaleo). The very nature of Kingdom living, relating, and ministering is comforting the mourning even as the Trinity comforts those who mourn.
Reason #18: Paul Consistently Needed and Gave Thanks for Others Encouraging (Parakaleo) Him
The great apostle Paul was not at all beyond longing for encouragement (2 Corinthians 7:4; 2 Corinthians 7:6; 2 Corinthians 7:7; 2 Corinthians 7:13; 1 Thessalonians 3:7; Philemon 1:7). Every believer, no matter what role or title, needs biblical parakaletic ministry. We are all called to give and receive Parakaletic Soul Care.
Reason #19: Parakaletic Ministry Was a Consistent Aspect of the Evangelism, Growth, and Discipleship of the New Testament Church in Acts
In the following 10 passages, parakaleo/paraklasis ministry was prominent in the early church in Acts:
- Acts 2:40; Acts 9:31; Acts 11:23; Acts 13:15; Acts 14:22; Acts 15:31; Acts 15:32; Acts 16:40; Acts 20:1; Acts 20:2.
Reason #20: Our Encouragement (Paraklasis) from Christ Is Foundational to Our One-Another Ministry to Each Other
In Philippians 2:1-4, Paul explains that the encouragement (paraklasis) that we already have in Christ is the foundation that empowers and equips us to minister selflessly and sacrificially to one another.
Homework for Biblical Counselors: 6 Assessments of Our Parakaletic Biblical Counseling
- How could you grow as a Parakaletic Biblical Counselor who offers the following four compassionate and comprehensive ministries?
- Sustaining Empathy for Saints Who Suffer
- Healing Encouragement for Saints Who Suffer
- Reconciling Exhortation for Saints Who Battle Against Sin
- Guiding Empowerment/Equipping for Saints Growing in Sanctification
- In what ways can the parakaletic ministry of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be the model for your soul care and biblical counseling ministry?
- Since a major purpose of Scripture is parakaletic in nature, how can your personal ministry of the Word reflect comforting, encouraging, urging, exhorting, equipping, and empowering others?
- In what ways could the parakaletic ministries of Paul, John the Baptist, Peter, Barnabas, Judas (of Acts), Silas, Timothy, Elders/Overseers/Pastors, Titus, and the author of Hebrews impact your Parakaletic Biblical Counseling?
- The best comfort-givers (parakaleo) are comfort-receivers (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). To what extent do you humble yourself to receive God’s comfort? To receive comfort from others?
- What would our churches look like if the everyday relationships of believers reflected the mutual parakaletic ministry of 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (comforting); Hebrews 3:13 (encouraging); and Hebrews 10:25 (exhorting)?
