Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance. (Proverbs 27:17)

a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; (Ecclesiastes 3:3)

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls, and doesn’t have another to lift him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one keep warm alone? 12 If a man prevails against one who is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12)

Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord. (Philemon 20)

11 He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ, (Ephesians 4:11–12)

16 from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:16)

1 If therefore there is any exhortation in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassion, 2 make my joy full by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; 3 doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; 4 each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. (Philippians 2:1–4)

1 For I desire to have you know how greatly I struggle for you and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. (Colossians 2:1–3)

21 When they had preached the Good News to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into God’s Kingdom. (Acts 14:21–22)

Now, brothers, I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Acts 20:32)

Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you abound more and more. (1 Thessalonians 4:1)

12 Beware, brothers, lest perhaps there might be in any one of you an evil heart of unbelief, in falling away from the living God; 13 but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called “today”, lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:12–13)

Beloved, while I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I was constrained to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3)

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established; 12 that is, that I with you may be encouraged in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. (Romans 1:11–12)

1 I command you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at his appearing and his Kingdom: 2 preach the word; be urgent in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all patience and teaching. (2 Timothy 4:1–2)

10 for indeed you do it toward all the brothers who are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brothers, that you abound more and more; (1 Thessalonians 4:10)

24 Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24–25)

13 But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. 15 For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, 17 then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18)

9 For God didn’t appoint us to wrath, but to the obtaining of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. 11 Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do. (1 Thessalonians 5:9–11)

12 Through Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God in which you stand. (1 Peter 5:12)

8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. (James 5:8)

We exhort you, brothers: Admonish the disorderly; encourage the faint-hearted; support the weak; be patient toward all. (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

Strengthen the weak hands, and make the feeble knees firm. (Isaiah 35:3)

40 They went out of the prison and entered into Lydia’s house. When they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them, then departed. (Acts 16:40)  

1 I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men, (1 Timothy 2:1)

6 Likewise, exhort the younger men to be sober minded. (Titus 2:6)

9 Exhort servants to be in subjection to their own masters and to be well-pleasing in all things, not contradicting, (Titus 2:9)

1 Therefore I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily; not for dishonest gain, but willingly; 3 not as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:1-3)

10 For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. (2 Corinthians 13:10)

Say these things and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one despise you. (Titus 2:15)

5 I thought it necessary therefore to entreat the brothers that they would go before to you and arrange ahead of time the generous gift that you promised before, that the same might be ready as a matter of generosity, and not of greediness. (2 Corinthians 9:5)

9 Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season if we don’t give up. (Galatians 6:9)

12 Now those who are that way, we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread. (2 Thessalonians 3:12)

24 Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24–25)

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ. 6 But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer. 7 Our hope for you is steadfast, knowing that, since you are partakers of the sufferings, so you are also of the comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3–7)

8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you everything that is going on here. (Colossians 4:8–9)

1 Therefore when we couldn’t stand it any longer, we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and God’s servant in the Good News of Christ, to establish you and to comfort you concerning your faith, 3 that no one would be moved by these afflictions. For you know that we are appointed to this task. (1 Thessalonians 3:1–3)

15 Yet if because of food your brother is grieved, you walk no longer in love. Don’t destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. 16 Then don’t let your good be slandered, 17 for God’s Kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then, let’s follow after things which make for peace, and things by which we may build one another up. (Romans 14:15–19)

Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up. (Romans 15:2)

I exhort Euodia, and I exhort Syntyche, to think the same way in the Lord. (Philippians 4:2)

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are profitable. “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things build up. (1 Corinthians 10:23)

The people, the men of Israel, encouraged themselves, and set the battle again in array in the place where they set themselves in array the first day. (Judges 20:22)

Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who had good understanding in the service of The LORD. So they ate throughout the feast for the seven days, offering sacrifices of peace offerings and making confession to The LORD, the God of their fathers. (2 Chronicles 30:22)

He set the priests in their offices and encouraged them in the service of The LORD’s house. (2 Chronicles 35:2)

He will say, “Build up, build up, prepare the way! Remove the stumbling-block out of the way of my people.” (Isaiah 57:14)

When he had determined to pass over into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him; and wrote to the disciples to receive him. When he had come, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; (Acts 18:27)

The following night, the Lord stood by him and said, “Cheer up, Paul, for as you have testified about me at Jerusalem, so you must testify also at Rome.” (Acts 23:11)

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:57–58)

The LORD himself is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for The LORD your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

The LORD said to Joshua, “Don’t be afraid, and don’t be dismayed. Take all the warriors with you, and arise, go up to Ai. Behold, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, with his people, his city, and his land. (Joshua 8:1)

and he said, “Listen, all Judah, and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat. The LORD says to you, ‘Don’t be afraid, and don’t be dismayed because of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s. (2 Chronicles 20:15)

You will not need to fight this battle. Set yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of The LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed. Go out against them tomorrow, for The LORD is with you.’ ” (2 Chronicles 20:17)

5 He set captains of war over the people, gathered them together to him in the wide place at the gate of the city, and spoke encouragingly to them, saying, 7 “Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or dismayed because of the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude who is with him; for there is a greater one with us than with him. 8 An arm of flesh is with him, but The LORD our God is with us to help us and to fight our battles.” The people rested themselves on the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. (2 Chronicles 32:5-8)

Wait for The LORD. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. Yes, wait for The LORD. (Psalm 27:14)

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in The LORD. (Psalm 31:24)

But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. (Matthew 9:22)

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27)

for they all saw him and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them and said to them, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.” (Mark 6:50)

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. (John 14:27)

I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Now I exhort you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. (Acts 27:22)

Therefore, sirs, cheer up! For I believe God, that it will be just as it has been spoken to me. (Acts 27:25)

In the day that I called, you answered me. You encouraged me with strength in my soul. (Psalm 138:3)

Behold, they brought to him a man who was paralyzed, lying on a bed. Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, “Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven you.” (Matthew 9:2)

4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 Now the God of perseverance and of encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, 6 that with one accord you may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:4–6)

that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us. (Hebrews 6:18)

You have forgotten the exhortation which reasons with you as with children, “My son, don’t take lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by him; (Hebrews 12:5)

But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. (Jude 20)

But I exhort you, brothers, endure the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. (Hebrews 13:22)

My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. (Psalm 119:28)

After the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, speak.” (Acts 13:15)

or he who exhorts, to his exhorting; he who gives, let him do it with generosity; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:8)

Until I come, pay attention to reading, to exhortation, and to teaching. (1 Timothy 4:13)

36 Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement), a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race, 37 having a field, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (Acts 4:36–37)

So also you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, seek that you may abound to the building up of the assembly. (1 Corinthians 14:12)

For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge those who are like that. (1 Corinthians 16:18)

The liberal soul shall be made fat. He who waters shall be watered also himself. (Proverbs 11:25)

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. (Proverbs 25:11)

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a kind word makes it glad. (Proverbs 12:25)

30 So, when they were sent off, they came to Antioch. Having gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter. 31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over the encouragement. 32 Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words and strengthened them. (Acts 15:30–32)

33 While the day was coming on, Paul begged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you wait and continue fasting, having taken nothing. 34 Therefore I beg you to take some food, for this is for your safety; for not a hair will perish from any of your heads.” 35 When he had said this and had taken bread, he gave thanks to God in the presence of all; then he broke it and began to eat. 36 Then they all cheered up, and they also took food. (Acts 27:33-36)

Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. (1 Corinthians 8:1)

13 Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong! 14 Let all that you do be done in love. (1 Corinthians 16:13–14)

As you know, we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children, (1 Thessalonians 2:11)

Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brothers; (1 Timothy 5:1)

8 And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. (1 Peter 4:8–9)

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24)

The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. (Proverbs 10:11)

The lips of the righteous feed many, but the foolish die for lack of understanding. (Proverbs 10:21)

Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak truth each one with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. (Ephesians 4:25)

For our exhortation is not of error, nor of uncleanness, nor in deception. (1 Thessalonians 2:3)

who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord. (Acts 11:23)

Judas and Silas, also being prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers with many words and strengthened them. (Acts 15:32)

When he had gone through those parts and had encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece. (Acts 20:2)

But he who prophesies speaks to men for their edification, exhortation, and consolation. (1 Corinthians 14:3)

For you all can prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be exhorted. (1 Corinthians 14:31)

Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. (Colossians 3:15–16)

holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him. (Titus 1:9)

They encourage themselves in evil plans. They talk about laying snares secretly. They say, “Who will see them?” (Psalm 64:5)

who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:32)

6 Everyone helps his neighbor. They say to their brothers, “Be strong!” 7 So the carpenter encourages the goldsmith. He who smooths with the hammer encourages him who strikes the anvil, saying of the soldering, “It is good;” and he fastens it with nails, that it might not totter. (Isaiah 41:6-7)

Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, shall go in there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it. (Deuteronomy 1:38)

But commission Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you shall see.” (Deuteronomy 3:28)

1 Now the days of David came near that he should die; and he commanded Solomon his son, saying, 2 “I am going the way of all the earth. You be strong therefore, and show yourself a man; (1 Kings 2:1-2)

David said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Don’t be afraid, nor be dismayed, for The LORD God, even my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you, until all the work for the service of The LORD’s house is finished. (1 Chronicles 28:20)