Exhortation is the act of strongly encouraging or urging someone to do something. In the Bible, exhortation refers to encouraging fellow believers in their faith and urging them towards righteousness, godliness and spiritual maturity.
The Nature of Biblical Exhortation
Biblical exhortation is centered on God’s truth and His will as revealed in Scripture. It involves reminding Christians of the implications of the gospel for daily life and motivating them to pursue holiness and obedience to Christ (Titus 2:11-15). Exhortation may include elements of teaching, warning, encouragement and correction – all with the aim of building up believers in the faith (1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Timothy 4:2).
Exhortation recognizes that Christians still struggle with sin and need ongoing reminders and motivations to persevere in godliness. It calls believers to examine themselves and realign their lives according to God’s will. Biblical exhortation is rooted in the reality that Christians have been changed by God’s grace and are empowered by His Spirit to obey and honor Him.
The Basis for Exhortation
All exhortation must be grounded in and conform to the truths of Scripture. God’s Word gives us a true understanding of His character and purposes, human nature and spiritual realities. The Bible provides all that is necessary for life, godliness and obedience to Christ (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Any exhortation not built on the firm foundation of God’s Word will be unhelpful at best and dangerous at worst.
The Aims of Exhortation
The overarching goal of biblical exhortation is to help believers glorify God by growing in Christlike maturity and obedience. More specific aims include:
– Motivating Christians to pursue holiness and turn from sin (Hebrews 12:1-2)
– Encouraging believers to exercise faith during trials and temptations (1 Peter 1:6-7)
– Reminding Christians of core gospel truths that lead to godliness (Titus 3:3-8)
– Correcting doctrinal or ethical errors within the church (1 Timothy 1:3-7)
– Instilling wisdom for daily decisions and relationships (Colossians 3:16-17)
– Strengthening unity within the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:1-6)
– Inspiring hope in God’s promises and Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
The Tone of Exhortation
Biblical exhortation should be marked by humility, empathy, truthfulness and grace. Christians are fellow recipients of God’s grace, not adversaries (Galatians 6:1-2). Exhortation should appeal to the believer’s new nature in Christ, not merely demand external compliance. The focus should be on sowing gospel truth rather than guilt. Patience, compassion and respect for others should permeate exhortation, even when correction is needed.
Examples of Exhortation
Throughout Scripture we see examples of biblical exhortation:
– Moses exhorted Israel to remember and obey God’s law (Deuteronomy 4:1-40).
– The Psalms exhort God’s people to praise Him wholeheartedly (Psalm 103:1-2).
– Proverbs exhorts readers to get wisdom and avoid folly (Proverbs 4:5-7).
– Jesus exhorted people to repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:14-15).
– Peter exhorted churches to set their hope fully on future grace (1 Peter 1:13).
– Paul exhorted Timothy to avoid false teaching (1 Timothy 4:6-8).
– The author of Hebrews exhorts believers to draw near to Christ (Hebrews 10:19-25).
Biblical Methods of Exhortation
Here are some common New Testament methods and phrases used in exhortation:
– Teaching/reminding – communicating scriptural truths and principles (1 Timothy 4:6)
– Warning – alerting against harmful mindsets, teachings or behaviors (Colossians 2:8)
– Encouraging – affirming right thinking and actions (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17)
– Entreating – urging believers to live consistently with the gospel (Philemon 1:8-10)
– Exhorting – directly urging believers towards greater devotion to Christ (Hebrews 10:24-25)
– Comforting – soothing those experiencing affliction (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)
– Rebuking – expressing disapproval to pressure change in thinking or actions (Titus 1:13)
– Admonishing – cautioning believers against unwise choices (Colossians 3:16)
The Roles of Exhortation
While all Christians should exhort one another at times (Hebrews 3:13), biblical exhortation is especially crucial for church leaders to practice faithfully, perseveringly and graciously:
Pastors/Elders
Pastors have a vital responsibility to use Scripture to exhort those under their care towards maturity in Christ (1 Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 4:2). They are to gently but firmly rebuke, correct and encourage sound doctrine and holy living.
Teachers
Along with doctrinal instruction, teachers should provide practical exhortation that believers would understand Scripture rightly and apply it fully (Titus 2:1-10).
Mature Believers
Seasoned Christians should humbly use their spiritual wisdom and experience to exhort less mature believers through personal discipleship (Titus 2:2-8).
Fellow Christians
Believers are to thoughtfully exhort their brothers and sisters in Christ as an expression of love and care (Romans 12:10; Hebrews 10:24-25).
Authors of Scripture
Biblical authors like Paul commonly wrote to exhort churches they cared for but could not presently visit (1 Thessalonians 4:1-12). Their inspired writings continue to exhort believers through all ages.
Receiving Exhortation
For exhortation to bear fruit believers must:
– Welcome exhortation rather than rejecting or avoiding it (Psalm 141:5)
– Hear exhortation with humility not pride or defensiveness (James 1:21)
– Apply exhortation promptly not slowly or selectively (Proverbs 4:20-22)
– Desire to please God through exhortation not merely escape correction (Psalm 119:67)
– Reflect on exhortation and seek to understand rather than dismiss it (Psalm 119:59-60)
Just as giving exhortation should be done graciously, receiving it requires thoughtfulness and humility. Exhortation prepares the heart to better receive the seed of God’s Word (Luke 8:15).
The Fruit of Exhortation
When carried out in a gracious, discerning and godly manner, biblical exhortation bears much spiritual fruit:
– Deeper knowledge of God’s Word and ways
– Heightened awareness of sin to avoid and righteousness to pursue
– Strengthened faith in God’s faithfulness and the promises of His gospel
– Increased spiritual vigour to resist temptation and press on in obedience
– Greater consistency between beliefs and behavior
– More courage to stand firm for truth amid surrounding spiritual darkness
– Heightened joy in glorifying God and seeing Christ formed in other believers
The ultimate goal of all exhortation is the glory of God. As believers respond to exhortation and increasingly reflect Christ, God’s gracious work in their lives is displayed. Just as a gardener patiently cultivates a plant to produce good fruit, God uses exhortation to nurture His people towards maturity in Christ.