Prophetic Consolation

1 Corinthians 14:1,3 (NASB)

1 Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
3 But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation.

The Greek word for consolation, "paramythia," has in it two ideas, one of which is entirely lost in the English. One concept is "being near." The other one is "a true narrative." Put the ideas together, coming near to speak a true narrative, and we get consolation. A true story that consoles.

Thought about in that way, the Bible is full of those kinds of stories. One great paramythia is Psalm 23; "The Lord is my shepherd..." How many funerals have we been to where that consolation is proclaimed? The story of Moses and the setting free of God's people from their slavery in Egypt is a paramythia. A third great story is that of Jesus on the cross. It is the paramythia that we are now, finally and forever, free from our sins.

And all of us are given the privilege of proclaiming, of prophesying, the paramythia of God alive and at work in our lives.

Word Studies: 
The Greek word which is translated as consolation is "paramythia." Literally, it means "any address, whether made for the purpose of persuading, or of arousing and stimulating, or of calming and consoling, also, consolation, comfort."

"Para" means "from, of at, by, besides, near."

"Mythos" means "a speech, story, i.e. a fable," or "a true narrative."