The comforted comforter: The meaning of παρακαλέω or παράκλησις terminology in 2 Corinthians

Abstract

In the Pauline homologoumena, παρακαλέω or παράκλησις terminology is used almost two and a half times (in 2 Corinthians even six and a half times) as frequently as in the remainder of the New Testament. In the first part of this article, a survey of the use of παρακαλέω or παράκλησις in the undisputed letters and its three major meanings was given: to request strongly, to exhort and to encourage or comfort. In the second part of the article, the LXX background of the unprecedented use of παρακαλέω or παράκλησις in 2 Corinthians 1:3–7 and 7:4.5–13, where God is the subject, was discussed. The conclusion was that when writing 2 Corinthians 1:3–7 and 7:4.5–13 Paul made use of the prophet Isaiah’s Book of Comfort and in his use of παρακαλέω or παράκλησις allows himself to be influenced by the way the LXX translator uses παρακαλέω to translate נחם.

Keywords

• Pauline letters
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
• 7:4.5-13
• terminology for exhort
• encourage and comfort
• Septuagint
• Isaiah