In the biblical narrative, compassion and sympathy are virtues that are deeply rooted in the character of God and are expected to be reflected in the lives of His followers. These attributes are not only to be extended towards fellow believers but also towards those who are considered wicked or outside the covenant community. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that illustrate how the wicked are made to feel compassion and sympathy, often as a means of drawing them towards repentance and transformation.

Divine Compassion and Human Response

The Bible consistently portrays God as compassionate and merciful, even towards those who are rebellious or wicked. In the Old Testament, God’s compassion is evident in His dealings with the people of Nineveh. Despite their wickedness, God sends Jonah to warn them, and upon their repentance, He shows them mercy (Jonah 3:10). This narrative underscores the idea that God’s compassion is not limited to the righteous but extends to all who turn from their evil ways.

In the New Testament, Jesus exemplifies divine compassion through His interactions with sinners and outcasts. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus is moved with compassion for the crowds because they are "harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (Matthew 9:36). His compassion leads Him to teach, heal, and ultimately offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of the world.

The Role of Saints in Extending Compassion

Believers are called to imitate God’s compassion and extend it to others, including the wicked. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, exhorts the saints to "bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse" (Romans 12:14). This instruction highlights the transformative power of compassion and sympathy, which can lead even the hardest hearts to reconsider their ways.

The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) further illustrates the call for believers to show compassion indiscriminately. The Samaritan, despite cultural enmity, shows mercy to a wounded Jew, demonstrating that true compassion transcends social and moral boundaries.

Compassion as a Tool for Evangelism

Compassion and sympathy are powerful tools in the evangelistic mission of the church. By showing love and kindness to the wicked, believers can reflect the heart of God and open doors for the Gospel. The Apostle Peter encourages believers to "live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us" (1 Peter 2:12).

The Impact of Compassion on the Wicked

The Bible provides examples of how acts of compassion can lead to the repentance and conversion of the wicked. The account of Zacchaeus, a tax collector despised for his corruption, illustrates this truth. Jesus’ willingness to dine with Zacchaeus leads to his repentance and restitution (Luke 19:1-10). This encounter demonstrates that compassion can break down barriers and lead to genuine transformation.

Conclusion

In summary, the biblical call to compassion and sympathy extends beyond the community of believers to include the wicked. By embodying these virtues, saints can participate in God’s redemptive work, offering a glimpse of His love and mercy to a world in need.Psalm 106:46
He made them also to be pitied of all those that carried them captives.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

God's Love for a Sinning World
... have unfortunate children"poor objects of compassion"they can ... children, but are
intensely wicked"intelligently wicked. ... on in a common sympathy, there is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/sermons on gospel themes/i gods love for a.htm

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... seat was showed, not only that God had compassion for men ... of their lusts, and from
the fury of the wicked. ... tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

God's Love Commended to Us.
... they were not even righteous, but were utterly wicked. ... and you come under its powerful
sympathy, then you ... complacency of his parents, but not their compassion. ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/xviii gods love commended to.htm

A Stanza of Deliverance
... we should repeat that senseless and wicked trust in ... a man to be able to exhibit sympathy
towards sufferers ... buried his dearest ones, and has compassion for the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/a stanza of deliverance.htm

The First Great Deception.
... as a being of love and compassion, and they ... the world, God blotted out its wicked
inhabitants in ... Satan, the workers of iniquity obtain sympathy and admiration ...
/.../33 the first great deception.htm

The First Great Deception
... as a being of love and compassion, and they ... to the world, God blotted out its wicked
inhabitants in ... Satan the workers of iniquity obtain sympathy and admiration ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 33 the first great.htm

Christ
... Compassion, sympathy, beneficence, the tenderness of a mother for her ... not God, he
was the most wantonly wicked man of ... it is in itself, for what it made him, my ...
//christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/christ.htm

False Comforts for Sinners.
... going no farther than a constitutional sympathy, or compassion ... they have so much
more compassion for their ... upon himself, needlessly, by his wicked resistance to ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xvii false comforts for.htm

Travailing for Souls
... A man with no sensibility or compassion for other men's ... degree of the earnest anxiety
and sympathy, which marked ... Alas for the transgressions of this wicked city ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/travailing for souls.htm

The Martyrdom of Stephen.
... who is cheered with that hope of sympathy and aid ... firmness of a philosopher, he melts
with compassion towards his ... to death, by the wanton cruelty of the wicked? ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture ix the martyrdom of.htm

How should Christians respond to global poverty and hunger? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about caregiving? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Prodigal Son? | GotQuestions.org

Compassion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus