παρακαλέω (G3870) — Greek Lexicon

παρακαλέω

parakaléō

G3870 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To call to one’s side for the purpose of addressing, encouraging, exhorting, or consoling; in broader contexts, to urge, entreat, request, exhort, comfort, or encourage. The primary sense involves summoning or addressing someone closely, whether for encouragement, admonition, teaching, appeal, or reassurance. Secondary senses can include appealing for help, offering instruction or warning, and comforting or consoling those in distress.

Semantic Range

to call to one's side, to summon, to invite, to exhort, to urge, to entreat, to request, to encourage, to comfort, to appeal, to console

Root / Etymology

From παρα- (para-, 'beside, near') and καλέω (kaleō, 'to call'); literally, 'to call to the side' or 'to summon near.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, παρακαλέω appears already in the 5th century BCE, primarily with the sense of 'to summon, call to one's side' or 'invite.' In Hellenistic and Koine Greek, especially in the Septuagint and New Testament, its usage expands to include 'to urge,' 'to appeal,' 'to exhort,' and 'to comfort/console.' In the Septuagint, it often renders Hebrew נִחֵם (nikhēm, 'comfort, console') and other verbs of appeal. In the New Testament, παρακαλέω is frequently used in both formal and informal appeals—as in entreating someone to act, encouraging communities, or offering comfort to those facing hardship. English translations such as 'beseech,' 'exhort,' 'encourage,' or 'comfort' only partially capture its versatile use. It overlaps with παραινέω (to advise), though παρακαλέω often emphasizes advocacy or reassurance in addition to instruction. The noun παράκλησις ('encouragement, exhortation, comfort') and παράκλητος ('advocate, helper, comforter') derive from this verb and reflect its broad semantic range.

Translation Consistency

primary "encourage" 43 occurrences

parakaléō primarily carries the sense of calling alongside to comfort, exhort, or strengthen—what English speakers naturally express as 'encourage.' This verb is natural-sounding, covers the central pastoral/relational uses (exhortation, consolation, urging) better than more formal options like 'exhort,' and can reasonably render the typical range of contexts while allowing rare senses (pleading/requesting) to be handled by context-specific phrasing.

Alternatives (7 occurrences):

"exhorting" (2x) "exhort" (2x) "pleaded" (1x) "summon near" (1x) "appeal" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from παρά and καλέω; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation):--beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort(-ation), intreat, pray.

Root Family

παρακαλ- (parakaléō) — to call near, to summon, to invoke, to exhort, to comfort

Root παρακαλ- to call near, to summon, to invoke, to exhort, to comfort

Word Forms

31 distinct forms

SIDANCE	Surface	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`G3870-10`	παρακαλῶ	parakalo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I urge	I call alongside	I encourage	20
`G3870-11`	παρακαλῶν	parakalon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	beseeching	calling near	encouraging one	9
`G3870-22`	παρεκάλει	parekalei	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P SG`	begged	was calling near	was encouraging	8
`G3870-28`	παρεκάλουν	parekaloun	`V IMPF ACT IND 3P PL`	urged	they were calling near	they were urging	8
`G3870-06`	παρακαλέσαι	parakalesai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to urge	to call near	to encourage	6
`G3870-13`	παρακαλοῦμεν	parakaloumen	`V PRS ACT IND 1P PL`	we urge	we are calling near	we are encouraging	6
`G3870-24`	παρεκάλεσαν	parekalesan	`V AOR ACT IND 3P PL`	they begged	they called near	they encouraged	6
`G3870-01`	παρακαλεῖ	parakalei	`V PRS ACT IND 3P SG`	exhort	he/she calls near	exhort	5
`G3870-23`	παρεκάλεσα	parekalesa	`V AOR ACT IND 1P SG`	I urged	I called near	I encouraged	5
`G3870-15`	παρακαλοῦντες	parakalountes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	exhorting	calling alongside	those who are encouraging	4
`G3870-02`	παρακαλεῖν	parakalein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to beg	to call alongside	to encourage	3
`G3870-05`	παρακαλεῖτε	parakaleite	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL`	encourage	Keep calling near	Keep encouraging one another	3
`G3870-26`	παρεκάλεσέν	parekalesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	besought	he summoned near	he encouraged	3
`G3870-07`	παρακαλέσας	parakalesas	`V AOR ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	encouraged	having called near	having encouraged	2
`G3870-08`	παρακαλέσῃ	parakalese	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	he may comfort	he might summon near	he may encourage	2
`G3870-14`	παρακαλούμεθα	parakaloumetha	`V PRS PASS IND 1P PL`	we are comforted	we are being called near	we are being encouraged	2
`G3870-17`	παρακαλοῦσιν	parakalousin	`V PRS ACT IND 3P PL`	they beg	they call near	they beg	2
`G3870-30`	παρεκλήθημεν	pareklethemen	`V AOR PASS IND 1P PL`	were entreated	we were called near	we were encouraged	2
`G3870-03`	παρακαλεῖσθε	parakaleisthe	`V PRS PASS IMP 2P PL`	be comforted	Be continually encouraged	be continually encouraged	1
`G3870-04`	παρακαλεῖται	parakaleitai	`V PRS PASS IND 3P SG`	he is comforted	is being called alongside	he is comforted	1
`G3870-09`	παρακάλεσον	parakaleson	`V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG`	exhort	Summon near	Summon near	1
`G3870-12`	παρακαλῶνται	parakalontai	`V PRS PASS SUBJ 3P PL`	may be comforted	they may be called near	they may be encouraged	1
`G3870-16`	παρακαλοῦντος	parakalountos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	were beseeching	of the one calling near	of the one exhorting	1
`G3870-18`	παρακεκλήμεθα	parakeklemetha	`V PRF PASS IND 1P PL`	we have been comforted	we have been called near	we have been encouraged	1
`G3870-19`	παρακληθῆναι	paraklethenai	`V AOR PASS INF`	be comforted	to be called near	to be comforted	1
`G3870-20`	παρακληθήσονται	paraklethesontai	`V FUT PASS IND 3P PL`	shall be comforted	they will be called near	they will be comforted	1
`G3870-21`	παρακληθῶσιν	paraklethosin	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P PL`	they may be encouraged	they may be called near	they may be encouraged	1
`G3870-25`	παρεκάλεσάς	parekalesas	`V AOR ACT IND 2P SG`	you pleaded	you were calling near	you entreated	1
`G3870-27`	παρεκαλοῦμεν	parekaloumen	`V IMPF ACT IND 1P PL`	we urged	we were exhorting	we were exhorting	1
`G3870-29`	παρεκλήθη	pareklethe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	he was comforted	was called near	he was encouraged	1
`G3870-31`	παρεκλήθησαν	pareklethesan	`V AOR PASS IND 3P PL`	they were comforted	they were called near	they were comforted	1

Occurrences in Scripture

109 occurrences

Filter by SIDANCE:

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`G3870-10`	Romans 16:17	παρακαλῶ	parakalo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I urge	I call alongside	I encourage
`G3870-10`	1 Corinthians 1:10	παρακαλῶ	parakalo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I exhort	I call alongside	I encourage
`G3870-13`	1 Corinthians 4:13	παρακαλοῦμεν	parakaloumen	`V PRS ACT IND 1P PL`	we entreat	we are calling near	we are encouraging
`G3870-10`	1 Corinthians 4:16	παρακαλῶ	parakalo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I exhort	I call alongside	I encourage
`G3870-12`	1 Corinthians 14:31	παρακαλῶνται	parakalontai	`V PRS PASS SUBJ 3P PL`	may be comforted	they may be called near	they may be encouraged
`G3870-23`	1 Corinthians 16:12	παρεκάλεσα	parekalesa	`V AOR ACT IND 1P SG`	I urged	I called near	I encouraged
`G3870-10`	1 Corinthians 16:15	παρακαλῶ	parakalo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I urge	I call alongside	I encourage
`G3870-11`	2 Corinthians 1:4	παρακαλῶν	parakalon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	comforts	calling near	encouraging one
`G3870-02`	2 Corinthians 1:4	παρακαλεῖν	parakalein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to comfort	to call alongside	to encourage
`G3870-14`	2 Corinthians 1:4	παρακαλούμεθα	parakaloumetha	`V PRS PASS IND 1P PL`	we are comforted	we are being called near	we are being encouraged
`G3870-14`	2 Corinthians 1:6	παρακαλούμεθα	parakaloumetha	`V PRS PASS IND 1P PL`	we are comforted	we are being called near	we are being encouraged
`G3870-06`	2 Corinthians 2:7	παρακαλέσαι	parakalesai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to comfort	to call near	to encourage
`G3870-10`	2 Corinthians 2:8	παρακαλῶ	parakalo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I urge	I call alongside	I encourage
`G3870-16`	2 Corinthians 5:20	παρακαλοῦντος	parakalountos	`V PRS ACT PTCP GEN M SG`	were beseeching	of the one calling near	of the one exhorting
`G3870-13`	2 Corinthians 6:1	παρακαλοῦμεν	parakaloumen	`V PRS ACT IND 1P PL`	we urge	we are calling near	we are encouraging
`G3870-11`	2 Corinthians 7:6	παρακαλῶν	parakalon	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M SG`	comforts	calling near	encouraging one
`G3870-26`	2 Corinthians 7:6	παρεκάλεσεν	parekalesen	`V AOR ACT IND 3P SG`	comforted	he summoned near	he encouraged
`G3870-29`	2 Corinthians 7:7	παρεκλήθη	pareklethe	`V AOR PASS IND 3P SG`	he was comforted	was called near	he was encouraged
`G3870-18`	2 Corinthians 7:13	παρακεκλήμεθα	parakeklemetha	`V PRF PASS IND 1P PL`	we have been comforted	we have been called near	we have been encouraged
`G3870-06`	2 Corinthians 8:6	παρακαλέσαι	parakalesai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to urge	to call near	to encourage
`G3870-06`	2 Corinthians 9:5	παρακαλέσαι	parakalesai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to urge	to call near	to encourage
`G3870-10`	2 Corinthians 10:1	παρακαλῶ	parakalo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	urge	I call alongside	I encourage
`G3870-23`	2 Corinthians 12:8	παρεκάλεσα	parekalesa	`V AOR ACT IND 1P SG`	I pleaded	I called near	I pleaded
`G3870-23`	2 Corinthians 12:18	παρεκάλεσα	parekalesa	`V AOR ACT IND 1P SG`	I urged	I called near	I encouraged
`G3870-03`	2 Corinthians 13:11	παρακαλεῖσθε	parakaleisthe	`V PRS PASS IMP 2P PL`	be comforted	Be continually encouraged	be continually encouraged
`G3870-10`	Ephesians 4:1	παρακαλῶ	parakalo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I implore	I call alongside	I encourage
`G3870-08`	Ephesians 6:22	παρακαλέσῃ	parakalese	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	he may comfort	he might summon near	he may encourage
`G3870-10`	Philippians 4:2	παρακαλῶ	parakalo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I urge	I call alongside	I encourage
`G3870-10`	Philippians 4:2	παρακαλῶ	parakalo-2	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I urge	I call alongside	I encourage
`G3870-21`	Colossians 2:2	παρακληθῶσιν	paraklethosin	`V AOR PASS SUBJ 3P PL`	they may be encouraged	they may be called near	they may be encouraged
`G3870-08`	Colossians 4:8	παρακαλέσῃ	parakalese	`V AOR ACT SUBJ 3P SG`	he may encourage	he might summon near	he may encourage
`G3870-15`	1 Thessalonians 2:12	παρακαλοῦντες	parakalountes	`V PRS ACT PTCP NOM M PL`	exhorting	calling alongside	those who are encouraging
`G3870-06`	1 Thessalonians 3:2	παρακαλέσαι	parakalesai	`V AOR ACT INF`	to encourage	to call near	to encourage
`G3870-30`	1 Thessalonians 3:7	παρεκλήθημεν	pareklethemen	`V AOR PASS IND 1P PL`	we were comforted	we were called near	we were encouraged
`G3870-13`	1 Thessalonians 4:1	παρακαλοῦμεν	parakaloumen	`V PRS ACT IND 1P PL`	exhort	we are calling near	we are encouraging
`G3870-13`	1 Thessalonians 4:10	παρακαλοῦμεν	parakaloumen	`V PRS ACT IND 1P PL`	we urge	we are calling near	we are encouraging
`G3870-05`	1 Thessalonians 4:18	παρακαλεῖτε	parakaleite	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL`	encourage	Keep calling near	Keep encouraging one another
`G3870-05`	1 Thessalonians 5:11	παρακαλεῖτε	parakaleite	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P PL`	encourage	Keep calling near	Keep encouraging one another
`G3870-13`	1 Thessalonians 5:14	παρακαλοῦμεν	parakaloumen	`V PRS ACT IND 1P PL`	we exhort	we are calling near	we are encouraging
`G3870-06`	2 Thessalonians 2:17	παρακαλέσαι	parakalesai	`V AOR ACT OPT 3P SG`	comfort	to call near	to encourage
`G3870-13`	2 Thessalonians 3:12	παρακαλοῦμεν	parakaloumen	`V PRS ACT IND 1P PL`	we exhort	we are calling near	we are encouraging
`G3870-23`	1 Timothy 1:3	παρεκάλεσά	parekalesa	`V AOR ACT IND 1P SG`	I urged	I called near	I encouraged
`G3870-10`	1 Timothy 2:1	παρακαλῶ	parakalo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I urge	I call alongside	I encourage
`G3870-01`	1 Timothy 5:1	παρακάλει	parakalei	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG`	encourage	he/she calls near	encourage
`G3870-01`	1 Timothy 6:2	παρακάλει	parakalei	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG`	exhort	he/she calls near	be exhorting
`G3870-09`	2 Timothy 4:2	παρακάλεσον	parakaleson	`V AOR ACT IMP 2P SG`	exhort	Summon near	Summon near
`G3870-02`	Titus 1:9	παρακαλεῖν	parakalein	`V PRS ACT INF`	to exhort	to call alongside	to encourage
`G3870-01`	Titus 2:6	παρακάλει	parakalei	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG`	exhort	he/she calls near	exhort
`G3870-01`	Titus 2:15	παρακάλει	parakalei	`V PRS ACT IMP 2P SG`	exhort	he/she calls near	exhort
`G3870-10`	Philemon 1:9	παρακαλῶ	parakalo	`V PRS ACT IND 1P SG`	I appeal	I call alongside	I appeal

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