Some may find it surprising to learn that biblical counseling is a phrase that embodies the primary task of the church as given to us by our Lord in the Great Commission: the task of making disciples. So often when we hear the term counseling, we don’t think of the ministry of the word. Rather, we think of psychology or therapy. But counseling is a biblical word that has a wide range of meaning and as noted, it has special reference to the Commission given to us by our Lord to make disciples. 

Making disciples is a two-fold dynamic. First, the lost are to be evangelized. Second, those who have come to Christ in repentance and faith are then to be taught to obey everything that Christ has commanded us. That teaching certainly includes doctrine. But, the Lord told us to teach persons to obey. Teaching to obey is the application of doctrine. Teaching to obey is the how to of the Christian life. Teaching to obey is Christian discipleship. That discipleship is in fact counseling from a biblical perspective. One of the things He has commanded us to do is make disciples. Thus, evangelism is not complete until the evangelized become the evangelists, that is, until those who have been made disciples make disciples. 

The word "counseling" refers to evangelism and teaching, that is, the entire task of making disciples.  (Note: during evangelistic crusades those who receive persons coming forward to make decisions are always called counselors). The word "biblical" refers to the fact that the Scriptures are the sole authority and source-book for counseling, that is, making disciples.

Thus, we would say that biblical counseling is mandated by the Lord. Counseling is a biblical word containing literally hundreds of references. Consider just a few examples. In Ps. 1:1-2 we read, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." In Acts 20:27, Paul declared, "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." Note the word "counsel" in both of those verses and how that counsel is grounded in Scripture.

The primary Greek word that embodies the full range of meaning regarding "counseling" is noutheteo.  It is translated "admonish" in Romans 15:14. "And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish (counsel) one another." The word noutheteo means to admonish, warn, rebuke, reprove, correct, teach, instruct, witness, counsel, minister etc.  Paul wants believers to "counsel" one another.