A friend ought to offer and receive encouragement along with loving criticism. Godly communication between friends includes giving and accepting encouragement. A friend should encourage his companion to change course rather than commiserate with a bitter attitude or rebellion against any of God's laws, statutes, or principles. Friends need to appreciate encouragement from one another as well as candid criticism, kindness, and generosity.

Encouragement from friends forms when bonds and relationships develop through reaching out to those suffering from illness. God works through these bonds to produce real love, understanding, encouragement, and growth. A note, email, card, or phone call from a friend turns a painful day into sunshine and allows thankful prayer and praise to be offered to God. These gestures mean much to those cut off from others due to illness. They show real care and permit God to use the situation to great advantage. Reaching out in this way uplifts and encourages so that God's Spirit can work with both the ill person and the one providing support. Comfort and a feeling of brotherhood result while the flames of loving concern are fanned in the giver. Glowing embers of God's love help the Family of God to form fuller and deeper bonds of unity and purpose.

Exhortation from loving brothers can encourage someone to break the cycle of sin leading to apostasy. It works best in small groups of people where every member knows each other well enough and trusts each other enough to share their burdens and temptations. Hope faith and love increase in an atmosphere of encouragement of thoughtfulness and where there is enough trust of each other that people are willing to open themselves up somewhat. Exhortation within fellowship can stir to increase faith or love or both of them. It is a responsibility to encourage people to hang in there to love and to serve others. It builds faith to encourage them to exhort them to inspire them to submit to God or continue to persevere in submitting to God.

The other disciples went to Thomas with the message that Jesus has risen. They sought out Thomas and made sure that he was with them when they gathered together to worship later. Christians who have a naturally gloomy temperament tend to go off by themselves. These are the ones who can least afford to be alone because gloom and despair prey upon them. Such people will become gloomier and less believing if left alone. They must be encouraged to have faith and patient endurance based on God's assurance that He will never leave them nor forsake them.