King James Bible Dictionary

See Afflictions, Consolation in; Righteous, Promises to, Expressed or Implied
Afflictions, Consolation in; Righteous, Promises to, Expressed or Implied

COMFORT, verb transitive

1. To strengthen; to invigorate; to cheer or enliven.

Light excelleth in comforting the spirits of men.

COMFORT ye your hearts. Genesis 18:5.

2. To strengthen the mind when depressed or enfeebled; to console; to give new vigor to the spirits; to cheer, or relieve from depression, or trouble.

His friends came to mourn with him and to comfort him. Job 2:11.

3. In law, to relieve, assist or encourage, as the accessory to a crime after the fact.

COMFORT, noun

1. Relief from pain; ease; rest or moderate pleasure after pain, cold or distress or uneasiness of body. The word signifies properly new strength, or animation; and relief from pain is often the effect of strength. In a popular sense, the word signifies rather negatively the absence of pain and the consequent quiet, than positive animation.

2. Relief from distress of mind; the ease and quiet which is experienced when pain, trouble, agitation or affliction ceases. It implies also some degree of positive animation of the spirits; or some pleasurable sensations derived from hope, and agreeable prospects; consolation.

Let me alone, that I may take comfort a little. Job 10:20.

Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. Matthew 9:22.

3. Support; consolation under calamity, distress or danger.

Let thy merciful kindness be for my comfort Psalms 119:50.

4. That which gives strength or support in distress, difficulty, danger, or infirmity.

Pious children are the comfort of their aged parents.

5. In law, support; assistance; countenance; encouragement; as, an accessory affords aid or comfort to a felon.

6. That which gives security from want and furnishes moderate enjoyment; as the comforts of life.

COMFORTABLE, adjective

1. Being in a state of ease, or moderate enjoyment; as a person after sickness or pain. This is the most common use of the word in the U. States.

2. Admitting comfort; that may afford comfort.

Who can promise him a comfortable appearance before his dreadful judge?

3. Giving comfort; affording consolation.

The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable 2 Samuel 14:17.

4. Placing above want and affording moderate enjoyment; as a comfortable provision for old age.

COMFORTABLENESS, noun The state of enjoying comfort.

COMFORTABLEY, adverb

1. In a manner to give comfort or consolation.

Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem. Isaiah 40:2.

2. With comfort, or cheerfulness; without despair.

Hope comfortably and cheerfully for Gods performance.

COMFORTED, participle passive Strengthened; consoled; encouraged.

The designation of the Holy Ghost (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7; R.V. marg., "or Advocate, or Helper; Gr. paracletos"). The same Greek word thus rendered is translated "Advocate" in 1 John 2:1 as applicable to Christ. It means properly "one who is summoned to the side of another" to help him in a court of justice by defending him, "one who is summoned to plead a cause." "Advocate" is the proper rendering of the word in every case where it occurs.

It is worthy of notice that although Paul nowhere uses the word paracletos, he yet presents the idea it embodies when he speaks of the "intercession" both of Christ and the Spirit (Romans 8:27, 34).

See God, Grace of; Holy Spirit
God, Grace of; Holy Spirit

(John 14:16) The name given by Christ to the Holy Spirit. The original word is Paraclete , and means first Advocate, a defender, helper, strengthener, as well as comforter.

COMFORTER, noun

1. One who administers comfort or consolation; one who strengthens and supports the mind in distress or danger.

I looked for comforters, but found none. Psalms 69:20.

Miserable comforters are ye all. Job 16:2.

2. The title of the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name--he shall teach you all things. John 14:16.

COMFORTING, participle present tense Giving strength or spirits; giving ease; cheering; encouraging; consoling.

COMFORTLESS, adjective Without comfort; without any thing to alleviate misfortune, or distress.

I will not leave you comfortless John 14:18.

COMFORTRESS, noun A female that affords comfort.