Greek word · G4389

προτρέπω

protrepō

to encourage

To turn or push someone forward, urge on, spur, encourage. Greek philosophers used related words for speeches urging people toward a way of life.

Appears once in the Greek New Testament. · Updated November 01, 2026

What it means

προ-τρέπω

[in LXX: Wisdom of Solomon 14:18, 2Ma.11:7, 4Ma.12:7 4Mac 15:12 4Mac 16:13 * ;]

to urge forwards, exhort, persuade. Mid., in same sense (as also in cl.): Acts 18:27.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

Range of meaning: To turn or push someone forward, urge on, spur, encourage. Greek philosophers used related words for speeches urging people toward a way of life.
Against the English: BSB, WEB, NIV and ESV say the brothers 'encouraged him'. KJV ('exhorting the disciples') and YLT ('having exhorted them') apply it to the recipients. Modern 'encouraged' can sound like offering emotional support; the Greek is more about urging someone on to action.
Used elsewhere in the period: Only here in the New Testament. In the Greek Old Testament books, Judas Maccabeus urges the others on to battle (2 Maccabees 11:7), and the craftsman's ambition drives people to further devotion to idols (Wisdom 14:18).

Acts · 1

Acts 18:27 προτρεψάμενοι having encouraged [him]

When Apollos resolved to cross over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On his arrival, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.

Here: To push someone forward in a direction with words. The Greek does not say who was urged: Apollos, or the disciples receiving the letter. It occurs only here in the New Testament.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.