Definition and Meaning:
To sympathize means to share in the feelings or experiences of another, particularly in times of sorrow or distress. It involves understanding and compassionately responding to the suffering or needs of others. In the biblical context, sympathy is closely related to the concepts of love, compassion, and mercy.

Biblical References and Context:
The Bible encourages believers to exhibit sympathy as a reflection of God's love and compassion. Sympathy is an essential aspect of Christian conduct, as it demonstrates the love of Christ to others.

1. Jesus as the Ultimate Example:
Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of sympathy. He demonstrated profound compassion and empathy throughout His ministry. In the Gospels, Jesus is often moved with compassion for those who are suffering. For instance, in Matthew 9:36 , it is written, "When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

2. Sympathy in the Body of Christ:
The Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of sympathy within the Christian community. In Romans 12:15 , Paul instructs believers to "Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep." This verse highlights the call for Christians to share in both the joys and sorrows of others, fostering a sense of unity and mutual care.

3. Bearing One Another's Burdens:
Sympathy is also expressed through bearing one another's burdens. Galatians 6:2 states, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This passage underscores the responsibility of believers to support and empathize with each other, reflecting the love and compassion of Christ.

4. The Role of Sympathy in Forgiveness and Restoration:
Sympathy plays a crucial role in the process of forgiveness and restoration. In 2 Corinthians 2:7 , Paul advises the church to "forgive and comfort" a repentant sinner, "so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow." This demonstrates how sympathy can aid in healing and reconciliation within the community.

5. Sympathy as a Reflection of God's Character:
God is described as compassionate and merciful throughout Scripture. Psalm 103:13 states, "As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him." Believers are called to mirror this divine compassion in their interactions with others.

Practical Application:
Christians are encouraged to cultivate a heart of sympathy by actively listening, offering comfort, and providing practical assistance to those in need. This can be achieved through prayer, acts of kindness, and being present with those who are suffering. By doing so, believers not only fulfill the law of Christ but also become conduits of His love and grace in a hurting world.

Men Chosen --Fallen Angels Rejected
... not have sympathised with us. In order to sympathise with our fellow-creatures
we must be something like them. Suppose a man made ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/men chosenfallen angels rejected.htm

The Great High-Priest.
... Every high-priest was taken from among men that he might sympathise, and was appointed
by God that he might have authority to act on behalf of men. ...
/.../chapter iv the great high-priest.htm

The Mystery of the Cross. A Good Friday Sermon.
... the brain, but to that far deeper and diviner faculty within us all"our moral sense;
that God-given instinct which makes us discern and sympathise with all ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon i the mystery of.htm

How to Dwell in the Fire of God
... I respect and sympathise with the motive altogether; and I neither respect nor
sympathise with the many ferocious pictures of that which is called the wrath of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/how to dwell in the.htm

How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, that we May Get Our Case ...
... (1.) Look out to Christ, as a feeling High Priest, faithful and merciful, who, being
like us in all things, except sin, doth sympathise with, and succour such ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xvii how to make.htm

The Lord's Prayer
... He can sympathise utterly; He can make all just allowances; He will judge
not by outward results, but by the inward will and desire. ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxviii the lords prayer.htm

Christ on the Road to the Cross
... 'By the way they had disputed amongst themselves which of them should be
the greatest.' So far did they sympathise with the Master! ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/christ on the road to.htm

The Second Continental Journey.
... The manner in which JY mentions the event evinces his tenderness of mind in commencing
a long journey, in which his vocation was to be to sympathise with the ...
/.../chapter viii the second continental.htm

Out of the Deep of Doubt, Darkness, and Hell.
... Thou canst not suffer more than the Son of God. Dost thou sympathise with thy
fellow-sufferers? Thou canst not sympathise more than the Son of God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/out of the deep/v out of the deep.htm

The New Testament Definitely Protected the Old Testament as a Book ...
... Almost all "heretics" of the second century rejected it, and this of itself shows
how difficult it was for many Gentile Christians to sympathise with it. ...
/.../harnack/the origin of the new testament/ 3 the new testament.htm

Sympathise (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sympathise (1 Occurrence). Hebrews 4:15 For we have
not a high priest not able to sympathise with our infirmities ...
/s/sympathise.htm - 6k

Sympathetic (1 Occurrence)

/s/sympathetic.htm - 7k

Sympathize (3 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 4:15 for we have not a chief priest unable to sympathise with our infirmities,
but 'one' tempted in all things in like manner -- apart from sin; (See ...
/s/sympathize.htm - 7k

Sympathised (1 Occurrence)

/s/sympathised.htm - 6k

Apart (228 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 4:15 For we have not a high priest not able to sympathise with our infirmities,
but tempted in all things in like manner, sin apart. (DBY YLT). ...
/a/apart.htm - 36k

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