We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is … to encourage, then give encouragement.

So Christ himself gave … the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. … If you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.

They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,” they said.

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”). … The church in Jerusalem … sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

Ro 12:6, Ro 12:8; Ep 4:11-12, Ac 13:15; Ac 14:22; Ac 4:36; Ac 11:22-24; 2Co 1:3-4

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.