The term used here means “encouragement”; it is the verbal form of the word Jesus used to describe the Holy Spirit: “Helper” (or “Comforter”) (John 14:16, John 14:26). In the midst of the struggles of this life, God’s people need help, comfort, and encouragement. So Paul ended many of his letters with a word of exhortation, that is, a word of comfort, of help, of encouragement for his readers (see Romans 12:1; Philippians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:1). As Peter’s readers need to digest the reality of the “fiery trial” they are experiencing (or about to), Peter adds a word of help, of comfort, of encouragement, of exhortation in an effort to assist them in digesting this revelation. Specifically, he addresses the elders publicly.