Exhortation

Hebrews 3:13  ”But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

Nearly everyone has had a pet of some type at a time in their life. Dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, fish, even something bigger such as a horse, goat, or pig. We love our pets. They bring us (I hope) lots of joy and happiness when they do funny things and act goofy. We may even try to get them to learn specific commands or tricks as well.

Take a horse for an example. If someone wants to take their horse out on a walk they will first have had to “break” their horse so that it is used to having a person riding on it’s back. Once in the saddle, a person will then have to gently urge the horse to start walking. They might use their voice to speak a certain command, or they might give the horse a few taps with their boots, conveying their wish for the horse to continue to move forwards. 

You could say that you are “exhorting” your horse when you try to get it to learn and obey your commands, and that is the topic of this study. What it means to exhort.

The word exhort when we look it up in the dictionary means “to urge, or to advise earnestly.” To “encourage” or to “spur or incite” something to happen.

In the book of Hebrews it teaches that we should exhort one another, more and more in the teachings of God’s Word.

Hebrews 10:25  “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”

Let’s talk about that. When the people in a church gather together to listen and learn from God’s scriptures, they are “assembling” together. But, as the writer of Hebrews wrote, not everyone keeps that assembly. Not everyone continues to come and learn about Christ on a regular basis, but that is why it teaches to exhort one another, to urge and encourage others to continue in their faith in Christ.

In fact it teaches in Romans that, along with teaching and prophecy, exhortation is a spiritual gift.

Romans 12:6-8  “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

Just as with all of the other spiritual gifts, the gift of exhortation needs to be used. We should always exhort others to keep the commands of the Lord, and urge them to use their spiritual gifts as well. There are many times in the New Testament that the Apostle Paul exhorted others in the churches.

2 Thessalonians 3:10-12  “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.”

1 Timothy 2:1-3  “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;”

1 Timothy 4:13  “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”

2 Timothy 4:2  “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

So let us always remember to urge and encourage others in the faith, to continue in the reading and study of God’s word. To urge others to come to Bible study, and to use the gifts that we have been given for the glory of God. Let us exhort each other.

In Christ,

Andrew