Jesus often said, “Take courage be strong,” using the Greek word tharséō — to be emboldened from within with unflinching courage. And he said we should encourage one another the same way. Sometimes we need this more than ever.
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT)
Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. (2 Chronicles 15:7 KJV)
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. (Psalm 27:14 KJV)
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2293 /tharséō (“emboldened to show courage”) refers to God bolstering the believer, empowering them with a bold inner-attitude (to be “of good courage”). For the believer, 2293 /tharséō (“showing boldness”) is the result of the Lord infusing His strength by His inworking of faith (“inbirthed persuasion,” 4102 /pístis). Showing this unflinching, bold courage means living out the inner confidence (inner bolstering) that is Spirit-produced.
[“2293 (tharséō) means ‘have confidence, courage, be unafraid,’ with the nuance determined by the context” (C. Spicq, 2, 188).] –Helps Word-studies (Copyright © 2021 by Discovery Bible.)
Seven times Jesus said take courage be strong
- 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 WEB)
- 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 WEB)
- 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 WEB)
- But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying “Cheer up! I AM!{see Exodus 3:14.} Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27 WEB)
- for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them, and said to them, “Cheer up! It is I!{Literally, “I AM!”} Don’t be afraid.” (Mark 6:50 WEB)
- Jesus stood still, and said, “Call him.” They called the blind man, saying to him, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!” (Mark 10:49 WEB)
- I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world. ” (John 16:33 WEB)
- The Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, “Don’t be afraid, but speak and don’t be silent; (Acts 18:9 WEB)
Encourage one another to take courage be strong
And when your heart has been emboldened from within with unflinching courage, you can encourage others to take courage be strong.
After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. (Acts 19:21)
Now I exhort you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel, belonging to the God whose I am and whom I serve, saying, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul. You must stand before Caesar. Behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ (Acts 27:22-24 WEB)
From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God, and took courage. (Acts 28:15 WEB)
In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. (Ephesians 3:12)
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (Hebrews 10:19-23)
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. (Hebrews 13:6)
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:15-17)
Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. (2 Timothy 4:17)