Consolation

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

CONSOLATION

1. The word ‘consolation’ (παράκλησις) occurs only twice in the Gospels ( Luke 2:25;  Luke 6:24, both Authorized Version and Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885). παράκλησις, however, is a word of common occurrence in the rest of the NT, where in Authorized Version it is usually rendered ‘consolation,’ although not infrequently ‘comfort.’ In Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 ‘comfort’ has been substituted for ‘consolation’ except in  Acts 4:36 (‘exhortation,’ marg. ‘consolation’)  Acts 15:31 (‘consolation,’ marg. ‘exhortation’),  Hebrews 6:18 (‘encouragement’). Besides meaning consolation or comfort, παράκλησις sometimes denotes exhortation, and is so rendered both in Authorized Version and Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885. When it is said of Simeon that he was ‘looking for the consolation of Israel’ ( Luke 2:25), the word is used by metonymy for the Messianic salvation as bringing consolation to the Chosen People. Similarly the Messiah Himself was known to the Rabbins as מְנַחִם, ‘the Consoler,’ or ‘Comforter,’ of Israel (see Schöttgen, Hor. Heb. et Talm . [Note: Talmud.] ii. 18). In  Luke 6:24 the rich are said to have received their consolation, i.e. the comfort which comes from worldly prosperity, in contrast to those spiritual blessings which Jesus had just promised that His disciples should enjoy in spite of poverty, hunger, and tears ( Luke 6:20-23, cf.  2 Corinthians 1:3-5).

2. Consolation in the teaching of Christ .—First of all, there will ever stand the words: ‘Come unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden’ ( Matthew 11:28-30). Amid outward storm and inward fear the Lord greets His disciples: ‘Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid’ ( Mark 6:50). The Physician of the ailing body and sick soul addresses the weary sufferer: ‘Son, be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven’ ( Matthew 9:2). To us to-day His Holy Spirit breathes the same blessings in the gospel of mercy and peace, the Spirit by whom He is with us ‘all the days, even unto the completion of the age’ ( Matthew 28:20). His words do not pass away ( Mark 13:31), and from His Divine lips no word is void of power ( Luke 1:37). ‘Peace be unto you’ is the first message of the ascended as of the risen Lord ( John 20:21;  John 20:26). Still He loves ‘to the uttermost’ ( John 13:1); still He can bear to lose not one of those whom His Father has given Him ( John 18:9), and still no enemy shall snatch them from His hand ( John 10:28). Even the hairs of the head of the children of God are objects of His watchfulness ( Luke 12:7;  Luke 21:18), to number them and to preserve them. So, truly, His service should be without fear ( Luke 1:74). Amid the storms of this changeful life we cry: ‘Carest thou not that we perish?’ ( Mark 4:38),—and nevertheless the very purpose of His mission was and is that we should have life, and have it more abundantly ( John 10:10). There is no uncertainty on His part,—eternal life is the settled purpose of God for man ( John 6:40). The grace He bestows is in its nature prolific, and its fruit is eternal life ( John 4:14;  John 4:36). He gives the Kingdom of God ( Luke 12:32). His message is a gospel ( Matthew 4:23). His ears are never closed to our cry ( Matthew 21:22). All things are possible with Him ( Mark 10:27).

To these higher thoughts may be added precious truths which have a like consoling power in the conflict with evil ever surging within and without. Our Lord knows our human nature through and through ( John 2:25). His purpose is to avert judgment and not to condemn whilst there is time for salvation ( John 12:47). His condemnations were against hypocrisy and hardness of heart and contempt of His gospel. He came bearing our infirmities and saving us from our sins ( Matthew 1:21;  Matthew 8:17,  Luke 19:10). What is done to the poor, sick, bereaved, afflicted, is done to Him; and He will remember ( Matthew 25:40). His blessing abides with the poor, meek, sincere soul, faithful to the end ( Matthew 5:3-12;  Matthew 10:22). In this life the disciple must be content to expect little of worldly success, and yet he shall not be unconsoled ( Matthew 10:25,  Mark 10:30,  John 16:33). To His disciple Christ promises: ‘I will love thee’ ( John 14:21). See also art. Comfort.

Literature.—Hasting's Dictionary of the Bible, artt. ‘Paraclete,’ ‘Comfort.’ Grimm-Thayer, Lex. s.v. ταράκλησις.

W. B. Frankland.

Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology

Attempt to comfort someone who is in sorrow. The most frequently encountered Hebrew term is niham [נַחוּם]; parakaleo [Παρακαλέω], paramutheomai [Παραμυθέομαι] and other synonyms occur in Greek. In the English versions, "consolation" is practically interchangeable with "comfort."

Consolation for the Sorrowful . Consolation is the attendant to mourning ( Job 29:25;  Jeremiah 16:7 ), due perhaps to the loss of a close relative ( 2 Samuel 12:24;  1 Chronicles 7:22;  John 11:19 ). Such comfort goes out to people who are distressed and alone ( Psalm 77:2-3 ), who weep bitterly ( Isaiah 22:4 ), or who are extremely anxious ( Psalm 94:19 ). In extreme circumstances people may refuse to be comforted ( Genesis 37:35;  Jeremiah 31:15 ). When the ruined Jerusalem was figuratively in despair, she had "none to comfort her" ( Lamentations 1:2,9; cf.  Nahum 3:7 ).

Consolation normally requires a personal visit or perhaps a letter ( 2 Samuel 10:1-2 ). The thoughtful comforter does not forget to offer food and drink ( Jeremiah 16:7 ) or financial help ( Job 42:11 ). In postbiblical literature, the rabbis detail the correct procedures for consolation and underscore its worth.

Even though well-intended, consolation may at times do more harm than good. Job's friends agree to go and sympathize with him ( Job 2:11 ), but Job calls them "miserable comforters": All they offer him are long-winded speeches (16:2-3; 21:34). Although the three imagine their wisdom is "God's consolations" (15:11), Job remains nearly disconsolate (but see 6:10).

Despite the value of human sympathy, it is God who ultimately eases our sorrows. The psalms overflow with prayer and thanksgiving for the comfort that comes from God (23:4; 42:11; 71:20-21; 86:16-17; 94:18-19; 103:13-14; 147:3) and his Word (119:49-50; cf.  Romans 15:4 ). God intervenes even if all human help fails ( Psalm 69:20 ). But supernatural comfort must be sought from God alone, not from idols or fortune-tellers ( Zechariah 10:2 ).

The "Consolation of Israel." The return of the Jews from exile is the work of divine consolation (  Jeremiah 31:10-14;  Zechariah 1:12-13; cf.  Exodus 3:7-8 ). Isaiah in particular emphasizes both literal and spiritual restoration: "Comfort, comfort my people" (40:1-2; 51:3; 52:9; 66:13).

It is this prophetic language that underlies  Luke 2:25 . Simeon is waiting for the "consolation of Israel." This phrase is linked with "the redemption of Jerusalem" ( Luke 2:38;  24:21 ) and "the kingdom of God" ( Luke 23:51 ). This consolation involves the coming of the Messiah ( Luke 2:26 ) and the revealing of salvation for all nations ( Luke 2:29-32 ).

Consolation and the Kingdom of God . The New Testament assumes that the righteous will go to a place of comfort when they die ( Luke 16:22,25 ). The Messiah announces the coming of the eschatological kingdom, where the afflicted will find consolation ( Matthew 5:4;  Revelation 7:15-17 ). Christians may comfort each other by reflecting on the future resurrection ( 1 Thessalonians 4:18 ).

Christians also experience the comfort of God presently. Jesus does not leave his disciples "orphans" when he returns to heaven. The Holy Spirit will give comfort by communicating the love and power of the Father to his children ( John 14:16-18 ).

Consolation as a Christian Duty . The New Testament gives no precise formula for consolation; it does direct Christians to "mourn with those who mourn" ( Romans 12:15; cf.  Job 30:25 ). Because God constantly reassures his children, they are enabled to comfort others ( 2 Corinthians 1:3-7;  7:6-7,13 ). When Christians experience and then share the consolations of Christ, they are able to live together in unity ( Philippians 2:1-2 ). Consolation was part of the apostolic ministry ( Colossians 2:2;  1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 ). Barnabas, Paul's traveling companion, must have been exemplary in this respect, since he was nicknamed "the son of consolation" ( Acts 4:36 ,; KJV ).

Gary Steven Shogren

See also Comfort

Bibliography . G. Braumann, NIDNTT, 1:569-71; R. Martin, 2Corinthians  ; O. Schmitz and G. Stä lin, TDNT, 5:773-814; G. Stä lin, TDNT, 5:816-23; M. R. Wilson, TWOT, 2:570-71.

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

The great work of God the Holy Ghost is consolation. And it is most blessed to the souls of the truly regenerate, in whose hearts the Lord graciously carrieth it on by his inward spiritual refreshments, to watch and observe how the tendencies of his grace are made towards them. "He takes of the things of Christ, and sheweth to them." And he it is that sheds abroad the love of God the Father in the heart, and directs the minds of the people into the patient waiting for Jesus Christ. So that all the actings of our faith upon either of the persons of the Godhead are from his sweet influences; and all the manifestations the holy and sacred persons make to the believer, it is God the Holy Ghost teacheth the soul how to receive and enjoy. And by this continual process of grace, he doth what the apostle prayed he might do for the church, as the apostle prayed he might do for the church, as "the God of hope, fill the soul with all joy and peace in believing, that they might abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."  Romans 15:13

Holman Bible Dictionary

nichum, nocham  Job 6:10 2 Samuel 10:1-2 Jeremiah 16:7 John 11:19 Psalm 94:19 Ezekiel 14:22-23

Israel's ultimate hope was the consolation only the Messiah could bring. The faithful waited expectantly for this ( Luke 2:25; compare  Isaiah 40:1-2 ). Those who trust in riches rather than in the coming of the Son of Man have all the consolation they will receive ( Luke 6:24 ). Believers receive consolation through the ministry of proclamation ( 1 Corinthians 14:3 ).

King James Dictionary

CONSOLATION, n. L. See Console.

1. Comfort alleviation of misery, or distress of mind refreshment of mind or spirits a comparative degree of happiness in distress or misfortune, springing from any circumstance that abates the evil, or supports and strengthens the mind, as hope, joy, courage and the like.

Against such cruelties, with inward consolations recompensd.

We have great joy and consolation in thy love.  Philippians 7 .

2. That which comforts, or refreshes the spirits the cause of comfort as the consolation of Israel.  Luke 2 .

Webster's Dictionary

(n.) The act of consoling; the state of being consoled; allevation of misery or distress of mind; refreshment of spirit; comfort; that which consoles or comforts the spirit.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

CONSOLATION . See Comfort.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

kon - sō̇ - lā´shun ( παράκλησις , paráklēsis ): "Consolation of Israel" ( Luke 2:25 ), refers to the fulfillment of the promises in  Isaiah 40:1 . See Comfort . "Son of consolation" ( Acts 4:36 the King James Version and the American Revised Version, margin). See Barnabas .