What Does The Bible Say About Compassion? As Christians, we serve a compassionate God. That’s why we should reflect His compassionate nature in all our daily thoughts, words, and actions. It is without doubt that God wants His children to cultivate a compassionate spirit in His likeness. Remember the words of Jesus Christ when He said that the same measures we use for others will also be used for us by God. Let’s support this message by reading from Matthew 7:1-2 – “Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you, for God will judge you in the same way that you judge others, and He will apply to you the same rules that you apply to others.” In simple words, if you show compassion to others, God will also show you compassion. He will treat you in the same way that you treat others.
It is clear that compassion alludes to sympathy and kindness. However, there is something deeper, something even more profoundly powerful that you should know about the true meaning of compassion. The true significance and breadth of compassion can be grasped from the origin of the word itself. Note that in Latin, the word “Compati” actually means “Suffer with.” In simple terms, Compassion means someone’s heartbreak becomes your heartbreak. That is, another person’s suffering becomes your suffering. If we truly understand the authentic meaning of compassion, we won’t be living the way we are currently doing. Behold, true compassion is one that changes the way we live our lives. “We must learn to regard people less in the light of what they do or omit to do, and more in the light of what they suffer.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer
What Does The Bible Say About Compassion?
No one will argue the fact that the Bible is saturated with compassion. Compassion is a term that seeps through the verses of the Old Testament, pours out of the Holy Gospels, and presents itself as a challenge for all the followers of Jesus Christ, the beloved Son of God. On several occasions, the Bible talks about a God who has compassion for Israel. In addition, the Holy Scriptures clearly present the savior of the world in the person of Jesus Christ who acted out of compassion by willingly giving up his life on the cross at Calvary. This sacrifice is what brings eternal life in the presence of God Almighty. Today, you can benefit from this everlasting life by Sincerely Repenting and actively embracing the Key Teachings of Jesus Christ in obedience.
More on what the Holy Scriptures say about compassion?
The Hebrew and Greek words that are translated in the Bible as “Compassion” literally mean “to feel sympathy, to have mercy, and to have pity.” The Bible portrays God as the supreme Divine Being that is “Gracious, Compassionate, abounding in love, slow to anger, and always faithful to His word” (Psalm 86:15). Just like all God’s attributes, His compassion is infinite and eternal. God’s compassion never fail; it is renewed every morning as we can read from Lamentations 3:22-23. Jesus Christ, the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world exemplified all of the Father’s attributes, including compassion. Remember His words, “the Son does only what He sees His Father doing“. When Jesus Christ perceived His friends weeping over the death of Lazarus, He felt compassion and joined them in weeping as we can read from John 11:33-35.
Moved in compassion for the suffering others, Jesus Christ healed the large crowd that came to Him (Matthew 14:14). He healed all individuals who came seeking for divine healing (Mark 1:40-41). When Jesus Christ saw the large crowd as sheep without a shepherd, His compassion led Him to teach them the true things about the Kingdom of God that the false shepherds of Israel had abandoned. We are told that the priests and scribes were corrupt and proud in their thoughts, words, and actions. That’s why they despised the common people. Jesus Christ had compassion on them that were less privileged. Out of His compassion for them, He taught and loved them as His own. When Christ was asked for the greatest commandment, He pointed to the love of God with our entire being. He proceeded to give a second one just like it; “love your neighbor as yourself.”
What The Bible Says About Compassion
Colossians 3:12 – “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
1 Peter 3:8 – “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”
Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 – “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,for his compassions never fail.They are new every morning;great is your faithfulness.“
Romans 12:15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
1 John 3:17 – “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?”
Zechariah 7:9-10 – “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’”
Isaiah 49:15-16 – “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?Though she may forget,I will not forget you!See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands;your walls are ever before me.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.“
Group 1 – What The Bible Says About Compassion
Zechariah 10:6 – “Judahand save the tribes of Joseph.I will restore thembecause I have compassion on them.They will be as thoughI had not rejected them,for I am the Lord their Godand I will answer them.”
Hebrews 4:15 – “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”
Psalm 103:13 – “As a father has compassion on his children,so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.”
Isaiah 30:18 – “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you;therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.For the Lord is a God of justice.Blessed are all who wait for him!”
Galatians 6:2 – “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Mark 6:34 – “When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.”
Colossians 3:12-13 – “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Group 2 – What The Bible Says About Compassion
1 Peter 3:8 – “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”
Matthew 14:14 – “When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.“
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
Genesis 6:6 – “And the Lord was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.”
2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
Colossians 3:12 – “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,”
Psalm 86:15 – “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.“
1 John 3:17 – “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”
Matthew 9:36 – “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Group 3 – What The Bible Says About Compassion
Psalm 103:13 – “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.”
Romans 12:15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”
Lamentations 3:22-23 – “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
Isaiah 49:15 – “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.”
Matthew 7:1-2 – “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”
Isaiah 30:18 – “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.”
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 – “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude, It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...”
Group 4 – What The Bible Says About Compassion
Luke 15:20 – “And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
Hebrews 4:15 – “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
Exodus 33:19 – “And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.”
Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
John 16:33 – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
James 1:27 – “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
Romans 12:20 – To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Psalm 103:2-4 – “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,”
Group 5 – What The Bible Says About Compassion
Psalm 78:38 – “Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath.”
1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Proverbs 19:17 – “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.”
Luke 7:13 – “And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”
Zechariah 7:9-10 – “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”
Psalm 116:5 – “Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful.”
Psalm 111:4 – “He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.”
Matthew 7:12 – “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
Psalm 51:1 – “To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.”
Matthew 20:34 – “And Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed him.”
1 Peter 4:10 – “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:”
Group 6 – What The Bible Says About Compassion
Luke 7:1-50 – “After he had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.” …”
James 5:11 – “Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”
Micah 6:8 – “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Luke 10:25-37 – “And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” …”
Group 7 – What Does The Bible Say About Compassion?
Psalm 112:4 – “Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.”
Psalm 103:8 – “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.“
Exodus 22:27 – “For that is his only covering, and it is his cloak for his body; in what else shall he sleep? And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.”
Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Mark 1:41 – “Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.””
Hebrews 10:34 – “For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one.”
Jude 1:22 – “And have mercy on those who doubt;”
Deuteronomy 13:17 – “None of the devoted things shall stick to your hand, that the Lord may turn from the fierceness of his anger and show you mercy and have compassion on you and multiply you, as he swore to your fathers,”
Exodus 2:6 – “When she opened it, she saw the child, and behold, the baby was crying. She took pity on him and said, “This is one of the Hebrews’ children.””
Group 8 – What Does The Bible Say About Compassion?
Deuteronomy 28:54 – “The man who is the most tender and refined among you will begrudge food to his brother, to the wife he embraces, and to the last of the children whom he has left,”
James 2:5 – “Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?”
Deuteronomy 30:3 – “Then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you.”
Luke 6:36 – “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”
Psalm 145:8 – “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
Luke 19:41-42 – “And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.”
1 Corinthians 12:25-26 – “That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”
1 Corinthians 10:24 – “Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.”
Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Group 9 – What Does The Bible Say About Compassion?
Zechariah 7:8-10 – “And the word of the Lord came to Zechariah, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”
Zechariah 7:9 – “Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another,”
Matthew 28:20 – “Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Luke 10:33 – “But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.”
Mark 8:2 – “I have compassion on the crowd, because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat.”
Matthew 14:13-21 – “Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” …”
Matthew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Group 10 – What Does The Bible Say About Compassion?
Psalm 23:1-6 – “A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul, He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. …”
Proverbs 14:21 – “Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
Psalm 119:77 – “Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.”
Matthew 9:36-38 – “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.””
Psalm 103:1-22 – “Of David. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. …“
Titus 2:4 – “And so train the young women to love their husbands and children,”
Group 11 – What Does The Bible Say About Compassion?
Psalm 77:9 – “Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?”
Hebrews 13:3 – “Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body.”
Proverbs 11:24-25 – “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.“
Lamentations 3:32 – “But, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love;”
Isaiah 54:10 – “For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
2 Corinthians 1:1-24 – “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. …”
Hebrews 1:14 – “Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?“
Group 12 – What Does The Bible Say About Compassion?
Matthew 15:32 – Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.”
Romans 9:15 – For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11-14 – “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.“
Isaiah 63:7 – “I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.”
Matthew 10:42 – “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
Luke 7:13-15 – “And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then he came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.”
Group 13 – What Does The Bible Say About Compassion?
Isaiah 49:13 – “Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.”
Psalm 119:156 – “Great is your mercy, O Lord; give me life according to your rules.”
Job 6:14 – “He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.”
Isaiah 49:10 – “They shall not hunger or thirst, neither scorching wind nor sun shall strike them, for he who has pity on them will lead them, and by springs of water will guide them.”
Zechariah 7:10 – “Do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.”
Luke 10:30-37 – “Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. …”
Group 14 – What Does The Bible Say About Compassion?
Luke 10:30-35 – “Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. …“
Matthew 6:14-15 – “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Proverbs 31:8-9 – “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Deuteronomy 16:17 – “Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God that he has given you.”
Isaiah 49:15-16 – “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.”
Group 15 – What Does The Bible Say About Compassion?
Psalm 51:1-19 – “To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. …”
Revelation 11:1-19 – “Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, “Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample the holy city for forty-two months. And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.” These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. …”
