Comfort, Comforter, Comfortless
Comfort, Comforter, Comfortless
means “a calling to one’s side” (para, “beside,” kaleo, “to call”); hence, either “an exhortation, or consolation, comfort,” e.g., Luk 2:25 (here “looking for the consolation of Israel” is equivalent to waiting for the coming of the Messiah); Luk 6:24; Act 9:31; Rom 15:4-5; 1Co 14:3, “exhortation;” 2Co 1:3-7; 2Co 7:4, 2Co 7:7, 2Co 7:13; 2Th 2:16; Phm 1:7. In 2Th 2:16 it combines encouragement with alleviation of grief. The RV changes “consolation” into “comfort,” except in Luk 2:25; Luk 6:24; Act 15:31; in Heb 6:18, “encouragement;” in Act 4:36, “exhortation.” RV (AV, consolation”). See CONSOLATION, ENCOURAGEMENT, EXHORTATION, INTREATY.
primarily “a speaking closely to anyone” (para, “near,” muthos, “speech”), hence denotes “consolation, comfort,” with a greater degree of tenderness than No. 1, 1Co 14:3.
has the same meaning as No. 2, the difference being that paramuthia stresses the process or progress of the act, paramuthion the instrument as used by the agent, Phi 2:1.
primarily “an addressing, address,” hence denotes “a soothing, solace,” Col 4:11. A verbal form of the word signifies medicines which allay irritation (Eng., “paregoric”).
lit., “called to one’s side,” i.e., to one’s aid is primarily a verbal adjective, and suggests the capability or adaptability for giving aid. It was used in a court of justice to denote a legal assistant, counsel for the defense, an advocate; then, generally, one who pleads another’s cause, an intercessor, advocate, as in 1Jo 2:1, of the Lord Jesus. In the widest sense, it signifies a “succorer, comforter.” Christ was this to His disciples, by the implication of His word “another (allos, “another of the same sort,” not heteros, “different”) Comforter,” when speaking of the Holy Spirit, Joh 14:16. In Joh 14:26; Joh 15:26; Joh 16:7 He calls Him “the Comforter.” “Comforter” or “Consoler” corresponds to the name “Menahem,” given by the Hebrews to the Messiah.
has the same variety of meanings as Noun, No. 1, above, e.g., Mat 2:18; 1Th 3:2, 1Th 3:7; 1Th 4:18. In 2Co 13:11, it signifies “to be comforted” (so the RV). See BESEECH.
sun, “with,” and No. 1, signifies “to comfort together,” Rom 1:12.
akin to Noun No. 2, “to soothe, console, encourage,” is translated, in Joh 11:31, “comforted;” in Joh 11:19, RV, “encourage,” as the sense there is that of stimulating to the earnest discharge of duties. See CONSOLE, ENCOURAGE.
signifies “to be of good comfort” (eu, “well,” psuche, “the soul”), Phi 2:19.
Notes: (1) For the verb tharseo, “be of good comfort, see CHEER, No. 2.
(2) Orphanos is rendered “comfortless” in Joh 14:18, AV; RV, “desolate.” See DESOLATE, FATHERLESS.