Encouraging (3888) (paramutheomai from para = towards, beside, pictures one coming to another's side of one to stimulate or comfort + muthéomai = to speak from múthos = a tale, myth, speech) literally means to speak to someone coming close to his or her side and speak to them in a friendly way. The meaning can develop along two main lines -- with reference to rousing up someone's will about what ought to be done (admonish to something) or with reference to what has happened rousing up hope for a good outcome (to console about something, cheer up - as in a secular use - "consolation for Alexander when he was depressed") It was used in secular Greek especially in connection with death or other tragic events. In the NT it means to relate near, encourage, console (to serve as a source of comfort in disappointment, loss, sadness, trouble). The idea is to speak kindly or soothingly so as to comfort or pacify. As someone has said paramutheomai denotes the soothing and encouraging side of exhortation, inspiring the converts to continue the desired course of action. It means to encourage in the sense of comfort and consolation which is critical in assisting spiritual growth because of the many obstacles and failures Christians can experience. As noted below paramutheomai is used in John 11 referring to the consolation given to Lazarus' grieving family. Thus it was a word reserved for the tender, restorative, compassionate uplifting needed by a struggling, burdened, heartbroken spiritual child. Wiersbe explains paramutheomai noting that... This word carries the same idea of “encouragement,” with the emphasis on activity. Paul not only made them feel better, but he made them want to do better. A father must not pamper a child; rather, he must encourage the child to go right back and try over again. Christian encouragement must not become an anesthesia that puts us to sleep. It must be a stimulant that awakens us to do better. (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor or Logos) The TDNT makes the point that... It is natural to seek a distinction between parakaleo and paramutheomai, but difficult to find a convincing criterion by which to draw any sharp line of demarcation. Both are characterized by the twofoldness of admonition and comfort, nor can one show that in the NT the element of comfort is the more pronounced in the case of paramutheomai. For in all the relevant passages other meanings might be seen with at least the same right, eg., “to encourage” at 1Th. 2:12, “to strengthen” at 1Thes 5:14...In the NT, however, the close relation between admonition and consolation in the two groups has a very different basis from that in secular usage. In the secular world consolation only too often takes the form of moral exhortation...In the NT, however, admonition becomes genuine comfort and vice versa, so that it is hard to separate or distinguish between the two...The unity of admonition and consolation is rooted in the Gospel itself, which is both gift and task. (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Eerdmans) Paramutheomai occurs only 4 times in Scripture... John 11:19 and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother. John 11:31 The Jews then who were with her in the house, and consoling her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, supposing that she was going to the tomb to weep there. 1Thessalonians 2:11 just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, 1Thessalonians 5:14 And we urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with all men.