Biblical Counseling Word Study #6: Noutheteo/Nouthesia—Part 2: What Is Nouthetic Counseling?

An Introductory Word from Bob 

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.

You’re reading Post #6 in this series.

• 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.
• Read Post #3 Here: Biblical Counseling Word Study #3: “Parakaletic Counseling”—A Comprehensive, Compassionate Biblical Name for Biblical Counseling.
• Read Post #4 Here: Biblical Counseling Word Study #4: The Gospel-Saturated Foundation and Focus of Parakaletic Biblical Counseling.
• Read Post #5 Here: Biblical Counseling Word Study #5: Noutheteo/Nouthesia—Part 1: Caring, Cautionary Communication to Ward Off Wandering.

While technically not a part of this series, here are two related posts that provide background for the modern nouthetic counseling movement:

• Jay Adams, Nouthetic Counseling, and Neuroscience.
• 3 Reasons Why Jay Adams Called His Counseling Model “Nouthetic”: A Concise History of the Launch of the Modern Nouthetic Counseling Movement.

Today I’m seeking to summarize over 100 pages of research notes into one blog post! I’m focused especially on sharing with you the fruit of my own biblical study of the biblical words noutheteo/nouthesia.

Jay Adams’s “3C’s” of Nouthetic Ministry 

On January 25, 2014, Jay Adams reflected back on his lifelong ministry in an interview with Tabletalk of Ligonier Ministries. In overviewing nouthetic counseling, Dr. Adams alliterated his summation with 3Cs:

“Briefly, let me add that the Scriptural view of counseling involves three C’s—Concern, Confrontation, and Change. Out of concern for a brother or sister in trouble spiritually, one lovingly confronts him in order to bring about change that is pleasing to God.”[i]

From my study of noutheteo/nouthesia, I’ve developed the following “7C” summary:

• Cautionary, caring, charis (grace-soaked), Christ-saturated, cognitive, contextual-instruction focused on Christlikeness.

And here’s my succinct, non-alliterated description of nouthetic ministry:

• Cautionary Instruction.

C#1: Cautionary—Picture the Robot 

In the 1960’s television version of Lost in Space, the Robot was known to wildly swing his mechanical arms as he shouted,

“Warning! Warning! Danger, Will Robinson, Danger!” 

That pictures noutheteo/nouthesia.

We see a brother or sister in potential spiritual danger. We warn them. With care and out of concern we offer them cautionary instruction.

In the New Testament, we find noutheteo/nouthesia connected to at least four types of potential dangers leading to four types of cautions or cautionary instructions.

1. Sometimes the warning is of approaching/potential external danger (Acts 20:31). In Acts 20:31, Paul warns and cautions the Ephesian elders about future false shepherds who will distort the truth in order to draw away disciples.

2. Other times we see a brother or sister in potential danger from internal temptation and we warn and caution them not to stray, but to stay on the Christ-centered, Christlike path (1 Corinthians 10:11). It’s warning to ward off wrong. We observe this context in 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, where the Old Testament Scriptures provide cautionary instruction that warns us not to trust in self, and then strengthens us to realize that through dependence upon Christ we can be victorious in the midst of temptations—teaching to triumph over temptation.

3. Still other times we perceive a brother or sister to already be straying and we warn and caution them to make a Christ-centered, cognitive-focused course correction (1 Corinthians 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:15; Titus 3:10). We find an example of this in 1 Thessalonians 5:14 where we are to provide corrective instruction (noutheteo) to the disorderly.

4. Sometimes, rather than a focus on straying, the focus is on a positive mutual urging to stay Christ-centered and not to stray from Christlikeness (Colossians 1:28; Colossians 3:16). For example, Colossians 3:16 stresses positive encouraging of one another to cling to and celebrate Christ and His grace.

Other times the context of scriptural passages that use noutheteo/nouthesia are more general in nature and allow for any of the four previous areas (Romans 15:14; Ephesians 6:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:12): potential external danger, potential internal temptation, already existing internal straying, and/or positive challenge to stay Christ-centered.   

In summary, we share:

• Wise, winsome words of warning that ward off wandering.

Greek scholar and commentator, H.C.G. Moule concurs with this summary. Speaking of the meaning of nouthesia in Ephesians 6:4, Moule notes that “the noun relates to the warning side of instruction.”[ii]

C#2: Caring 

Like the Robot in Lost in Space, we caution out of caring concern.

• Sometimes it’s the protective concern of a caring parent: Ephesians 6:4.

• Sometimes it’s the protective concern of a caring pastor/shepherd: Acts 20:31; 1 Corinthians 4:14; Colossians 1:28; 1 Thessalonians 5:12.

• Sometimes it’s the protective concern of a caring personal friend: Romans 15:14; Colossians 3:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:15; Titus 3:10.

• Sometimes it’s the protective concern of prophetic Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:11. 

At times we falsely picture (or practice) nouthetic ministry as combative, distant, non-emotive. Not Paul.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:12, Paul connects nouthetic ministry with those who work tirelessly among you, caring for you.

In Colossians 1:28-2:1, Paul relates nouthetic ministry to expending sacrificial care for others by struggling and striving with Christ’s strength for the good of others.

In Acts 20:31, Paul provides nouthetic warning with tears. As Jay Adams describes so well:

“Paul’s tears plainly reveal one fact—that he became deeply involved in the problems of his people…. Tears show that Paul’s involvement was a total involvement both of intensity and of kind…. Nouthetic counseling then, necessarily embodies involvement of the deepest sort.”[iii]

C#3: Charis (Grace-Soaked) 

“Charis” is Greek for grace. At times we envision nouthetic ministry as lacking grace and as condemning and sin-spotting. Not Paul.

Consider the tenderness and grace embodied in Paul’s words to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 4:14-15. Negatively, he is not writing to them “to shame them.” We never relate as counselors, pastors, or spiritual friends in such a way that we disrespect those we are ministering to and cause them to feel condemned and shamed. Instead, we hold others in high regard, showing them mutual respect.

Speaking of 1 Corinthians 4:14, Jay Adams explains, “The antithesis [do not shame] in that sentence brings out the tender concern inherent in the term” nouthetic.[iv]

Positively, Paul explains that he relates to those he nouthetically cautions “as my dear children” (1 Corinthians 4:14). In the next verse, Paul explains that he is not a distant tutor, but a loving father.

Speaking of 1 Corinthians 4:14-15, Adams notes:

“Plainly, the familial nature of the word noutheteo appears in this verse. There is always a warm, family note to biblical counseling…”[v]

Paul conveys a similar negative/positive description of nouthetic ministry in Ephesians 6:4, in this case with a focus on biblical parenting. Negatively, when parents provide cautionary nouthetic instruction to their children, they are not to provoke their children to anger. If our nouthetic biblical counseling consistent results in discouraged, embittered, defeated, upset, angry counselees, then we may want to take a nouthetic look in the mirror…

Positively, Paul describes nouthetic parenting as nurturing or raising up children tenderly in the discipline and instruction (nouthesia) of Christ. Calvin develops both the negative and positive aspects of this passage.

“Parents, on the other hand, are exhorted not to irritate their children by unreasonable severity. This would excite hatred, and would lead them to throw off the yoke altogether. Accordingly, in writing to the Colossians, he adds, ‘lest they be discouraged’ (Colossians 3:21). Kind and liberal treatment has rather a tendency to cherish reverence for their parents, and to increase the cheerfulness and activity of their obedience, while a harsh and unkind manner rouses them to obstinacy, and destroys the natural affections. But Paul goes on to say, ‘let them be fondly cherished;’ for the Greek word, (ektrephete) which is translated bring up, unquestionably conveys the idea of gentleness and forbearance.[vi]

In Romans 15:14, one of the primary qualifications for nouthetic ministry is to be “full of goodness.” The term suggests a heart of grace and a way of relating to people that reflects Christ’s grace.[vii]

We find the most intense usage of nouthesia in 2 Thessalonians 3:15. There a brother is clearly sinning and has been warned twice without repentance. Yet even here, Paul says that we must “not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother” (my translation from the Greek).

Paul makes this grace focus even clearer in Colossians 3:16.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and provide cautionary instruction to one another with all wisdom by means of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace (charis) in your hearts to God” (my translation from the Greek).

Nouthetic ministry is charis-soaked—grace-focused. Nouthetic ministry is not shaming and condemning. It is tender, respectful, parental care and pastoral shepherding flowing from a good heart of Christlike grace.

C#4: Christ-Saturated 

Nouthetic cautionary, caring, charis ministry is Christ-saturated through and through. In Colossians 1:27-2:4, Paul sandwiches his nouthetic ministry with Christ from beginning to end.

Paul introduces this section with the words, “Christ is the one we proclaim/preach, nouthetically warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom so we may present everyone mature in Christ” (my translation from the Greek). Christ is the focal point.

Paul concludes this section on nouthetic cautionary communication by explaining his goal—that he could encourage (parakaleo) everyone to grasp the mystery of Christ in them (Colossians 2:1-2).

Paul maintains the same emphasis in Colossians 3:16. Here he notes that “the word of Christ” (the gospel of Christ) is the foundation of nouthetic ministry. Nouthetic ministry is:

• Scripture-saturated speaking saying not to stray, but to stay the soul on our Savior.

The Biblical Counseling Coalition Confessional Statement says it like this.

“Biblical Counseling Must Be Centered on Christ and the Gospel: We believe that wise counseling centers on Jesus Christ—His sinless life, death on the cross, burial, resurrection, present reign, and promised return. Through the Gospel, God reveals the depths of sin, the scope of suffering, and the breadth, length, height, and depth of grace…. We point people to a person, Jesus our Redeemer, and not to a program, theory, or experience. We place our trust in the transforming power of the Redeemer as the only hope to change people’s hearts, not in any human system of change. Wise counselors seek to lead struggling, hurting, sinning, and confused people to the hope, resources, strength, and life that are available only in Christ.”[viii]

C#5: Cognitive (Mind/Nous) 

Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about the true nature of biblical nouthetic ministry. We’ve address several already: that it is uncaring, that it is condemning, that it lacks grace.

Another misconception is that nouthetic cautionary instruction is shallow and focuses only on external behavioral change. As we saw in our earlier post on noutheteo/nouthesia, the very word means to put in the mind, to lay on the heart of someone. It is education designed to create understanding. It centers on inner orientation change—a change of mind, mind renewal. It is:

• Cautionary instruction of the mind.

Paul links nouthetic instruction “with all wisdom” in Colossians 1:28 and Colossians 3:16. Nouthetic instruction seeks the renewal of the mind so that someone tempted to stray gains gospel wisdom to make a course correction at the heart level.

Cautionary cognitive instruction appeals to the mind, reasoning with someone, warning them with the wisdom of the Word. Nouthetic ministry exerts positive pressure on someone’s logic and reasoning, urging them to perceive the foolishness of temptation and to choose God’s pathway of wisdom.

C#6: Contextual-Instruction 

I’ve chosen to create a hyphenated word “contextual-instruction” not simply to alliterate, but more importantly to communicate the essence of noutheteo/nouthesia. It is instruction specific to the unique individual’s precise circumstances—their life context.

Cremer, in his lexicon of New Testament Greek, captures this contextual sense well. Speaking of noutheteo/nouthesia:

“Its fundamental idea is the well-intentioned seriousness with which one would influence the mind and disposition of another by advice, admonition, warning, putting right, according to circumstances.”[ix]

We saw earlier in this post the various ways—according to the person and circumstances—that the New Testament uses noutheteo/nouthesia:

• Instructive warning in the context of approaching potential external danger (Acts 20:31).
• Instructive caution in the context of potential danger from internal temptation (1 Corinthians 10:11).
• Corrective instruction in the context of already existing internal straying (1 Corinthians 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:15; Titus 3:10).
• Positive instruction in the context of celebrating staying Christ-centered (Colossians 1:28; Colossians 3:16).
• General instruction in the context of any of the four previous situations (Romans 15:14; Ephesians 6:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:12).

According to Paul, the personal ministry of the Word should always be person-specific and situation-specific. “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up—according to their specific need at the moment, that it may benefit those who listen” (my translation from the Greek of Ephesians 4:29).

Another false portrait of nouthetic ministry pictures an angry face and a wagging finger. We falsely imagine it as a blunt, forceful, cruel, crude, combative, confrontive, one-way monologue.

That’s not how Paul practices or describes noutheteo/nouthesia. Paul frequently links these words with words of interactive instruction, such as teaching (didasko) in Colossians 1:28 and Colossians 3:16, and instruction (paideia) in Ephesians 6:4. As Adams explains, “In both Colossians and Romans, then, Paul pictured Christians meeting in nouthetic confrontation as normal every-day activity.”[x] 

C#7: Christlikeness 

Paul leaves no mystery as to the goal and purpose of nouthetic cautionary instruction. He proclaims Christ with nouthetic cautionary instruction and teaching “so that (Greek purpose clause) we may present everyone mature in Christ” (my translation of Colossians 1:28 from the Greek).

The biblical goal of biblical nouthetic ministry is not behavioral change, but rather ongoing progressive sanctification—increasingly reflecting the image and life of Christ. Jay Adams says it clearly, “All counseling—Biblical or otherwise—attempts change. Only Biblical counselors know what a counselee should become as the result of counseling: he should look more like Christ. He is the Standard.”[xi] He says it like this in What Is Biblical Counseling?

“There is always a warm, family note to biblical counseling which is done among the saints of God who seek to help one another become more like Christ. Christians consider their counseling to be a part of the sanctification process whereby one Christian helps another get through some difficulty that is hindering him from moving forward in his spiritual growth. 

Nouthetic ministry is:

• Mutual, interactive, caring, grace-based, Christ-saturated, cautionary instruction applied in the contexts of temptation, sin, and sanctification by lovingly speaking gospel truth with grace to renew one another’s minds so we stay on the path to Christlikeness. 

Homework for Biblical Counselors: 7 Assessments of Our Noutheteo/Nouthesia Biblical Soul Care

1. Cautionary: You see a brother or sister in Christ beginning down the wrong spiritual path. In response, what does it look like for you to share wise, winsome words of warning that ward off wandering?

2. Caring: In your nouthetic ministry, how can you communicate deep, tender, compassionate relational involvement?

3. Charis (Grace-Soaked): How would you rate yourself according to this description of nouthetic ministry? Nouthetic ministry is not shaming and condemning. It is tender, respectful, parental care and pastoral shepherding flowing from a good heart of Christlike grace.

4. Christ-Saturated: How would you rate yourself according to this description of nouthetic ministry? Scripture-saturated speaking saying not to stray, but to stay the soul on our Savior.

5. Cognitive: How would you rate yourself according to this description of nouthetic ministry? Nouthetic ministry exerts positive pressure on someone’s logic and reasoning, urging them to perceive the foolishness of temptation and to choose God’s pathway of wisdom.

6. Contextual-Instruction: How would you rate yourself according to this description of nouthetic ministry? Nouthetic ministry is always person-specific and situation-specific—building others up according to their specific need at that moment.

7. Christlikeness: How would you rate yourself according to this description of nouthetic ministry? The biblical goal of biblical nouthetic ministry is not behavioral change, but rather ongoing progressive sanctification—increasingly reflecting the image and life of Christ.

[i] Tabletalk. Competent to Counsel: An Interview with Jay Adams. January 25, 2014. Accessed on June 10, 2023. https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/competent-counsel-interview-jay-adams.

[ii] Moule, H.C.G. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges. Accessed on June 10, 2023. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/ephesians/6.htm.

[iii] Adams, Jay. Competent to Counsel. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, pp. 52, 53.

[iv] Adams, Competent to Counsel, p. 49.

[v] Adams, Jay. What Is Nouthetic Counseling? Accessed on June 10, 2023.

[vi] Calvin, John. Commentary on Ephesians, Ephesians 6:4.

[vii] Kellemen, Bob. Gospel Conversations: How to Care Like Christ. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2015.

[viii] The Biblical Counseling Coalition. Confessional Statement. Accessed June 10, 2023. https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/confessional-statement/.

[ix] Cremer, p. 442.

[x] Adams, Competent to Counsel, p. 42.

[xi] Adams. What Is Nouthetic Counseling? Accessed on June 10, 2023.