Encouragement Study: Edition #2

Well, now that I am working full time, I have to create a new routine that will allow me to have my Quiet Times and still accomplish everything else. It's not easy. I have managed to still be in the word daily, just not posting like I would like. Still consistency is consistency. I can't complain if I am being consistent.Romans 15:4

Now those things which were put down in writing before our time were for our learning, so that through quiet waiting and through the comfort of the holy Writings we might have hope. (The Bible in Basic English)

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that through patience and through comfort of the scriptures we might have hope. (American Standard Version)

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (English Standard Version)

Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. The Scriptures give us patience and encouragement so that we can have hope. (NCV)

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (NIV)

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. (Revised Standard Version)

For all that was written of old has been written for our instruction, so that we may always have hope through the power of endurance and the encouragement which the Scriptures afford. (Weymouth New Testament)

-So, what does it mean to encourage someone else? What is encourgament? Well, let's start with comfort. Comfort is a parralel word from one translation to another. Comfort and encouragement are considered one in the same when translating. At least that is the deduction that I have made in searching this out.

Encourage (verb):

• To inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence.
• To stimulate by assistance, approval, etc.
• To promote, advance, or foster.

I can see how giving comfort is also encouragement. It makes sense, at least when you think about it. If I comfort you, you'd be encouraged. Johnny Out.