Spiritual Gift: Exhortation

WHAT IS The Gift of EXHORTATION?

The gift of exhortation is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to minister words of comfort, consolation, encouragement and counsel to other members of the Body in such a way that they feel helped and healed.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES FOR this Gift

Tap each verse to read it. Unless otherwise noted, all scriptures are in the English Standard Version.

ACTS 14:22

strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

ROMANS 12:8

the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 TIMOTHY 4:13

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

HEBREWS 10:25

not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

IN THE GREEK

PARAKALEO

Strong's Number: 3870
To comfort, console, exhort, entreat.

SUGGESTED POTENTIAL STRENGTHS & CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS GIFT

Loves to prescribe precise steps of action to aid personal growth (Romans 12:1-2).
Enjoys working with those eager to follow steps of action (Proverbs 13:10).
Will encourage others to develop in their personal ministry (Philippians 3:17).
Finds truth in experience and validates it with Scripture (James 1:22).
Loves to do personal counseling (1 Timothy 4:11-16).
Dislikes teaching that is not followed by practical application (James 2:18).
Accepts people where they are. Non-judgmental (1 Corinthians 4:4-5).
Loves to encourage others to live victoriously (Philippians 4:6; Acts 11:23).
Usually completes what is started (2 Timothy 4:7).
Expects a lot of self and others (Ephesians 4:1; Galatians 6:9).

SUGGESTED POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES & WARNINGS OF THIS GIFT

Tends to interrupt others in eagerness to give advice or opinion; can become a poor listener.
May prefer to witness with life rather than through verbal witnessing.
Will use scriptures out of context in order to make a point.
May be “cut-and-dried” in prescribing steps of action; emphasis on steps of action may appear to oversimplify the problem.
Can become over-confident in prescribed steps of action.
May become frustrated or impatient when someone they counsel does not seem to "get it" or progress at the rate they expect.

SUGGESTED WAYS TO SERVE BASED ON THIS GIFT

Worship Leader
Board or Committee Member
Small Group Leader
Counselor
Altar Worker
Men's/Women's Ministries
Hospitality Team Leader
Visitor Follow-up
Visitation
- Home
- Hospital
- Prison/Jail

Missionary Correspondent
Community Ministry
Youth Leader or Worker
Children's Ministries Leader or Worker
Prayer Ministry
Discipleship
Evangelism
Greeter
Usher
Information Booth Worker
Social Media Administrator
Service Moderator

GOOD BIBLICAL EXAMPLES

PAUL & BARNABAS

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