The Greek word tharséō, represented by G2293, is a command to have courage. It appears 8 times in 8 unique verses in the Bible. The word is consistently translated as "be of good cheer" or "be of good comfort," conveying a call to find courage in difficult circumstances.
In the biblical narrative, G2293 is almost always spoken directly by Jesus or the Lord to provide immediate encouragement. It is used to calm fear, as when Jesus tells his disciples on the sea, "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid" (Matthew 14:27, Mark 6:50). The term is also linked to healing and forgiveness, spoken to both a paralytic man Matthew 9:2 and a woman whose faith made her whole (Matthew 9:22, Luke 8:48). Ultimately, it serves as a command to find courage in the face of worldly tribulation, grounded in Christ's victory John 16:33.
Several related words expand on the command to have courage:
- G5399 phobéō (to be alarmed, fear): This word often appears in direct contrast to G2293. The command to "be of good cheer" is immediately followed by "be not afraid" when Jesus appears to the disciples on the water Mark 6:50.
- G4102 pístis (faith, belief, reliance upon Christ): This is frequently presented as the foundation for receiving comfort. Jesus sees their faith before telling the paralytic to "be of good cheer" Matthew 9:2, and tells the healed woman her faith has made her whole Matthew 9:22.
- G1515 eirḗnē (peace, quietness, rest): This is often the promised result of having courage in Christ. Jesus prefaces the command to "be of good cheer" by stating that in Him, the disciples might have peace John 16:33.
The theological weight of G2293 centers on the divine source of courage.
- Christ-Centered Courage: The command to "be of good cheer" is not an appeal to self-reliance. It is consistently grounded in the presence and power of Jesus, who says, "it is I; be not afraid" Matthew 14:27 and "I have overcome the world" John 16:33.
- Comfort Amidst Tribulation: This word is spoken in moments of fear, illness, and persecution. It affirms that courage is possible not because of a lack of hardship, but because of a greater divine reality that transcends the immediate circumstances Acts 23:11.
- Faith as the Prerequisite for Peace: The connection between faith and comfort is explicit. It is after seeing their faith G4102 that Jesus offers comfort and healing, linking reliance on Him directly to spiritual and physical wholeness (Matthew 9:22, Luke 8:48).
In summary, G2293 is more than a suggestion to be happy; it is a divine command to take courage. It is consistently used by Jesus or the Lord to intervene in moments of human fear and distress, from a storm on the sea Mark 6:50 to the certainty of persecution Acts 23:11. The word demonstrates that true comfort and courage are not found in the absence of trials, but are a direct result of faith in Christ's presence and His power to overcome all things John 16:33.
TRV