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Bible Dictionaries
Consolation
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament
or 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.
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Hastings, James. Entry for 'Consolation'. Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hdn/c/consolation.html. 1906-1918.
