The term "compassionate" in the Bible refers to a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering, coupled with a desire to alleviate that suffering. It is a quality that is frequently attributed to God and is expected of His followers. Compassion is a central theme in both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting God's character and His expectations for human behavior.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "compassionate" is "rachum," which is derived from "racham," meaning to love deeply or have mercy. This attribute is frequently associated with God. For instance, in Exodus 34:6, God describes Himself to Moses as "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth" . This self-revelation underscores the importance of compassion as a divine attribute.

The Psalms also highlight God's compassion. Psalm 103:13-14 states, "As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He is mindful that we are dust" . Here, God's compassion is likened to that of a loving parent, emphasizing His understanding and care for human frailty.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word "oiktirmos" is often used to convey the idea of compassion. Jesus Christ exemplifies compassion throughout His ministry. In Matthew 9:36, it is recorded, "When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" . Jesus' compassion leads Him to teach, heal, and ultimately sacrifice Himself for humanity.

The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) is a profound illustration of compassion in action. The Samaritan's willingness to help a wounded stranger, despite cultural animosities, serves as a model for Christian behavior. Jesus concludes the parable by instructing, "Go and do likewise" (Luke 10:37), urging His followers to embody compassion in their daily lives.

Theological Significance

Compassion is not merely an emotional response but a call to action. It is a reflection of God's nature and a command for His people. In Colossians 3:12, believers are instructed, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience" . This passage highlights compassion as a fundamental aspect of Christian character.

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of compassion in community life. In Ephesians 4:32, he writes, "Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you" . Here, compassion is linked with forgiveness and kindness, essential virtues for maintaining unity and love within the body of Christ.

Practical Application

For Christians, being compassionate involves recognizing the needs of others and responding with love and mercy. It requires an active engagement with the world, seeking to alleviate suffering and injustice. Compassionate living is a testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel and a reflection of God's love for humanity.

In summary, compassion is a divine attribute that God demonstrates throughout Scripture and calls His followers to emulate. It is a vital component of Christian ethics, urging believers to act with love and mercy towards all people.1. (a.) Having a temper or disposition to pity; sympathetic; merciful.

2. (a.) Complaining; inviting pity; pitiable.

3. (v. t.) To have compassion for; to pity; to commiserate; to sympathize with.

4184. polusplagchnos -- very compassionate
... very compassionate. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: polusplagchnos Phonetic
Spelling: (pol-oo'-splankh-nos) Short Definition: very compassionate ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4184.htm - 7k

2155. eusplagchnos -- tenderhearted, compassionate
... tenderhearted, compassionate. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: eusplagchnos
Phonetic Spelling: (yoo'-splangkh-nos) Short Definition: tender-hearted ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2155.htm - 7k

3629. oiktirmon -- merciful
... merciful. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: oiktirmon Phonetic Spelling:
(oyk-tir'-mone) Short Definition: compassionate, merciful Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3629.htm - 7k

4835. sumpathes -- sympathetic
... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: sumpathes Phonetic Spelling:
(soom-path-ace') Short Definition: sympathizing, compassionate Definition: sympathizing ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4835.htm - 6k

1655. eleemon -- merciful
... Transliteration: eleemon Phonetic Spelling: (el-eh-ay'-mone) Short Definition: full
of pity, merciful Definition: full of pity, merciful, compassionate. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1655.htm - 6k

1653. eleeo -- to have pity or mercy on, to show mercy
... From eleos; to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace) -- have
compassion (pity on), have (obtain, receive, shew) mercy (on). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1653.htm - 8k

7362. rachamani -- compassionate
... 7361, 7362. rachamani. 7363 . compassionate. Transliteration: rachamani Phonetic
Spelling: (rakh-maw-nee') Short Definition: compassionate. ...
/hebrew/7362.htm - 6k

7349. rachum -- compassionate
... 7348b, 7349. rachum. 7350 . compassionate. Transliteration: rachum Phonetic
Spelling: (rakh-oom') Short Definition: compassionate. ...
/hebrew/7349.htm - 6k

3395. Yerocham -- "may He be compassionate," the name of several ...
... "may He be compassionate," the name of several Israelites. Transliteration: Yerocham
Phonetic Spelling: (yer-o-khawm') Short Definition: Jeroham. ...
/hebrew/3395.htm - 6k

5167. Nachamani -- "compassionate," an Israelite of Nehemiah's ...
... Nachamani. 5168 . "compassionate," an Israelite of Nehemiah's time. Transliteration:
Nachamani Phonetic Spelling: (nakh-am-aw-nee') Short Definition: Nahamani ...
/hebrew/5167.htm - 6k

7355. racham -- to love, have compassion
... Word Origin denominative verb from racham Definition to love, have compassion NASB
Word Usage compassion (1), compassionate (1), find compassion (1), finds ...
/hebrew/7355.htm - 6k

2347. chus -- to pity, look upon with compassion
... pity, regard, spare. A primitive root; properly, to cover, ie (figuratively) to
compassionate -- pity, regard, spare. 2346, 2347. chus. 2348 . ...
/hebrew/2347.htm - 6k

8159. shaah -- to gaze
... A primitive root; to gaze at or about (properly, for help); by implication, to inspect,
consider, compassionate, be nonplussed (as looking around in amazement ...
/hebrew/8159.htm - 6k

3396. Yerachmeel -- "may God have compassion," an Israelite name
... Jerahmeel. From racham and 'el; God will compassionate; Jerachmeel, the name of
three Israelites -- Jerahmeel. see HEBREW racham. see HEBREW 'el. 3395, 3396. ...
/hebrew/3396.htm - 6k

Our Compassionate High Priest
... Our Compassionate High Priest. A Sermon ... Come to this compassionate High Priest, and
trust your case in his dear hands; they were pieced because of your sin. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/our compassionate high priest.htm

Disobedient Compassion and Compassionate Disobedience Reprobated. ...
... Book II. Chapter 17."Disobedient Compassion and Compassionate Disobedience
Reprobated. Martyrdom in Lieu of Baptism. The new-fangled ...
/.../anti-pelagian writings/chapter 17 disobedient compassion and compassionate.htm

On Doing Good to the Body of Our Neighbor.
... 53. Hence those who seasonably and wisely supply all the things required for warding
off these evils and distresses are called compassionate, although they may ...
/.../chapter 27 name doing good.htm

The Service Common to the Festivals of the Holy virgin.
... art our strength and stablishment and Thy Son our God is the God-becoming delight,
Whom adoring we say: Jesu all-powerful, save our souls as Compassionate One! ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter ii the service common.htm

What is Philanthropy.
... think, then, that even the stranger-receiver was philanthropic, who did good to
a stranger whom she did not know?" Then Peter said, "Compassionate, indeed, I ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xxvi what is philanthropy.htm

Prayer Born of Compassion
... heart. Prayer belongs to the compassionate man. There ... them. Just in so far as we
are compassionate will we be prayerful for others. Compassion ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/x prayer born of compassion.htm

Christ Our Advocate
... 4. He must be the compassionate friend of the sinner"not of his sins, but
of the sinner himself. This distinction is very plain. ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xvii christ our advocate.htm

Upon Compassion.
... When we rejoice in the prosperity of others, and compassionate their distresses,
we as it were substitute them for ourselves, their interest for our own; and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon v upon compassion.htm

The General Service to Saints Andrew of Constantinople, Isidore of ...
... With compassionate soul, pure thoughts, valiant heart, undoubting faith and love
truly impartial art thou gone from the earth into heaven and dost find thy ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xxvii the general service.htm

Jesus at the Bier
... We have Him here revealed to us as the compassionate Drier of all tears; the
life-giving Antagonist of death; and as the Re-uniter of parted hearts. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/jesus at the bier.htm

Compassionate (22 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Compassionate (22 Occurrences). Matthew 5:7 "Blessed
are the compassionate, for they shall receive compassion. (WEY). ...
/c/compassionate.htm - 12k

Mercy (467 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Forbearance to inflict harm under circumstances of provocation, when one
has the power to inflict it; compassionate treatment of an offender or ...
/m/mercy.htm - 43k

Pity (165 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To feel pity or compassion for; to have sympathy with; to compassionate;
to commiserate; to have tender feelings toward (any one), awakened by a ...
/p/pity.htm - 39k

Merciful (53 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Disposed to pity and spare offenders; unwilling
to punish. 2. (a.) Unwilling to give pain; compassionate. Int. ...
/m/merciful.htm - 28k

Tender (66 Occurrences)
... 12. (superl.) Susceptible of the softer passions, as love, compassion, kindness;
compassionate; pitiful; anxious for another's good; easily excited to pity ...
/t/tender.htm - 33k

Compassion (145 Occurrences)
... etc.; sumpatheo (Hebrews 10:34), "to suffer with (another)"; sumpathes (1 Peter
3:8, the Revised Version (British and American) "compassionate," margin, Greek ...
/c/compassion.htm - 42k

Compassions (17 Occurrences)

/c/compassions.htm - 11k

Nahamani (1 Occurrence)
... na-ha-ma'-ni, na-ham'-a-ni (nachamani "compassionate"): One of the twelve heads
who returned with Zerubbabel (Nehemiah 7:7). The name is wanting in the ...
/n/nahamani.htm - 7k

Unity (9 Occurrences)
... NIV). 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be all like-minded, compassionate, loving as
brothers, tenderhearted, courteous, (See RSV). 2 Chronicles ...
/u/unity.htm - 10k

Jeroham (11 Occurrences)
... je-ro'-ham (yerocham, "may he be compassionate!"): (1) An Ephraimite, the father
of Elkanah, and grandfather of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:1 1 Chronicles 6:27, 34 ...
/j/jeroham.htm - 12k

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