2 Timothy 4:2 says, “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” My dad’s motto was as you go ~ preach. He had a Scripture car up until he went into the rest home in June 2015. 

Still he lived his motto. He tootled around the facility in his wheelchair. His Bible was on his lap and tracks were in his pocket. This verse so typified him. I remember hearing him on many occasions say to someone, “Suffer an exhortation.” They would usually reply, “Am I in trouble?”

To exhort is to come alongside someone and strengthen them through encouragement. Barnabas was a great example. Acts 9:26-27. Acts 11:22-24. Exhortation is one of the gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8. 

2 Timothy 4:2 in the Amplified says, “…encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching.” I needed this reminder with my two 8th grade mentees.