12 Reasons Parakaleo Provides a Comprehensive Summary of Biblical Counseling

Allow Me to Introduce You to Two Friends: Parakaleo and Noutheteo

In April of 2024, the Association of Biblical Counselors published my latest book:

Parakaleo and Noutheteo: Understanding and Applying Two Richly Practical Biblical Counseling Words.

I selected the parakaleo/paraklesis/parakletos word family because of the sheer frequency of their usage in the New Testament. The parakaleo word group is used 143 times in the New Testament.

Why the noutheteo/nouthesia word family? First, because the apostle Paul uses this word a number of times (11 times) for his ministry and for the mutual ministry of believers. Second, because Jay Adams launched the modern nouthetic counseling movement based upon this word group.

Of these two words, the parakaleo word group is predominant in the New Testament.

**An Exercise in Emphasis: Parakaletic Biblical Counseling**

Today’s post is more of an exercise in emphasis. Here’s what I’m suggesting:

Given the prevalence, priority, and purpose of parakaleo in the New Testament, if we chose one biblical word for counseling, parakaletic would be a comprehensive name for biblical counseling.

Here are a dozen reasons parakaleo/parakaletic is a comprehensive, compassionate summary of biblical counseling.

Reason #1: The Comprehensiveness of Parakaleo/Paraklasis/Parakletos

In Parakaleo and Noutheteo: Understanding and Applying Two Richly Practical Biblical Counseling Words, 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 Parakaleo and Noutheteo, I demonstrate how the Bible calls Christ and the Holy Spirit our Parakletos: Counselor, Comforter, Advocate, Encourager, Discipler, Empowerer, Equipper. I also show 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**

In Parakaleo and Noutheteo, I note that the 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: Parakaletic Ministry Is a Primary Aspect of the Calling and Ministry of John the Baptist, Peter, Barnabas, Judas, Silas, 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 #8: 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 #9: 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 (parakaleo) the mourning even as the Trinity comforts (parakaleo) those who mourn.

**Reason #10: 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 #11: 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 #12: 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.

A Thought-Provoking Question

Someone I’ve never met, read Parakaleo and Noutheteo: Understanding and Applying Two Richly Practical Biblical Counseling Words and then asked me:

How would the modern nouthetic counseling movement have been different over the past fifty years if it had been launched as the modern parakaletic biblical counseling movement based upon parakaleo?

**6 Assessments of Our Parakaletic Biblical Counseling Ministry**

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 could the parakaletic ministry of the Trinity be the model for your soul care ministry?

Since a major purpose of Scripture is parakaleticin nature, how can your personal ministry of the Word reflect comforting, encouraging, urging, exhorting, equipping, and empowering others?

In what ways could the parakaleticministries 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 (parakaleo)? To receive comfort from others?

What would our churches look like if the everyday relationships of believers reflected the mutual parakaleticministry of 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 (comforting); Hebrews 3:13 (encouraging); and Hebrews 10:25 (exhorting)?