Greek · G3870

παρακαλέω

To plead/comfort

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παρακαλέω G3870

Pronunciation parakaléō

What does παρακαλέω (parakaléō) mean in the Bible?

παρακαλέω means to urge, appeal, exhort, encourage, comfort, or summon alongside, with the exact nuance supplied by context. In the Pastoral Epistles, the word is a practical ministry verb.

Reader summary

Full entry for παρακαλέω (G3870) · Open the biblical lexicon

Questions this entry answers

What does παρακαλέω (parakaléō) mean in the Bible?

παρακαλέω means to urge, appeal, exhort, encourage, comfort, or summon alongside, with the exact nuance supplied by context. In the Pastoral Epistles, the word is a practical ministry verb.

How does the BSB render G3870?

The BSB source-word alignment has 109 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include I urge (9), encourage (6), begged (5), I appeal (3), urge (3).

Where does παρακαλέω (parakaléō) appear in Scripture?

The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Matthew 2:18. Its strongest book concentrations include Acts (22), 2 Corinthians (18), Mark (9), Matthew (9).

Are there verse guides for παρακαλέω (parakaléō)?

This entry includes 1 verse guide that explain exact original-language forms in context.

What This Word Actually Means

παρακαλέω means to urge, appeal, exhort, encourage, comfort, or summon alongside, with the exact nuance supplied by context. In the Pastoral Epistles, the word is a practical ministry verb. Paul urges Timothy to remain in Ephesus to confront false doctrine, urges prayer for all people, tells Timothy to appeal to an older man as to a father, commands him to encourage faithful servants, tells him to encourage in preaching with patience and instruction, and tells Titus to encourage others by sound teaching and to encourage and rebuke with authority.

The word is not merely emotional comfort and not merely hard command. It describes speech that comes alongside people with truth, authority, patience, respect, and doctrinal substance. παρακαλέω is one of the words that keeps pastoral ministry from becoming either harsh control or vague affirmation. It is truth applied to people for faithful response.