παραινέω (paraineō)
paraineō
to urge
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb paraineō means to urge or advise someone earnestly. It carries a sense of friendly encouragement rather than strict command, often appearing in contexts where guidance is needed for safety or well-being. In Acts 27:22, Paul uses it to urge the sailors and passengers on the ship to take heart during a storm, offering reassurance that lives will be saved.
Its structure combines a prefix suggesting proximity or alongside with a root related to calling or speaking, implying advice given in close connection with the listener. The term appears only twice in the New Testament, both in Acts 27, highlighting its use in practical, situational counsel. Translators typically render it as "urge" or "exhort," capturing the tone of earnest recommendation.
This word reflects a pastoral style of communication where leaders offer guidance through encouragement. Its limited usage suggests it was reserved for moments requiring specific, compassionate advice rather than general teaching. The context in Acts shows it applied to real-life decisions under pressure, emphasizing trust and calm resolve.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word paraineō carries a gentle weight, suggesting advice given from a place of care rather than rigid authority. It is not a harsh command but an earnest urging, like a friend leaning in to whisper reassurance when the path ahead looks uncertain. This distinction matters because it reminds us that guidance often works best through encouragement and shared concern for well-being.
In Acts 27:22, Paul uses this term to tell frightened sailors and passengers to take heart during a violent storm. He does not shout orders; he offers hope grounded in divine promise. This shows that true leadership involves calming the fears of others with steady, compassionate words. When we face our own storms, we can look to this example of speaking life into anxious situations.
For your daily walk, this word invites you to offer counsel that builds up rather than tears down. It suggests that your advice should be rooted in love and a genuine desire for the other person’s safety and peace. By choosing words that encourage trust and calm resolve, you reflect the heart of Christ who comforts the weary.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- was admonishing [them]1×
- I exhort1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- παρῄνει1×
- παραινῶ1×
Key Verses
-
Acts 27:9
When much time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous because the Fast had now already gone by, Paul admonished them
This occurrence highlights Paul's initial warning about the dangers of delaying travel, showing how paraineō is used to advise caution before a crisis fully unfolds.
-
Acts 27:22
Now I exhort you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.
Here the word shifts to active encouragement during the storm, demonstrating its power to instill hope and prevent despair when circumstances seem hopeless.