Compassion displays the innate mankind’s ability to empathize, care, and show kindness to others, especially those encountering suffering or distress. Having compassion is a clear demonstration of God’s love and a call to humanity to extend similar affection to each other. This document encapsulates the essence of compassion as derived from various verses of the Bible, offering insight into some of the key teachings and directives prescribed by this Holy Book regarding empathy and kindness to others.
Who Displays Compassion in the Bible?
God is portrayed as the main source of compassion throughout the Bible. God repeatedly demonstrates this trait in His dealings with humanity. When the human race sins and strays from His teachings, He constantly forgives and offers reprieve instead of punishment. Additionally, Jesus Christ, as God’s embodiment on Earth, is also depicted as a figure of immense compassion. In His earthly ministry, Jesus interacted and empathized with people from different backgrounds, including the poor, the sick, and the sinners. Jesus’ life and teachings provide a clear demonstration of compassion. The apostles and other spiritual leaders in the Bible also exemplify compassion in their teaching and actions.
What Does The Bible Teach About Compassion?
The Bible offers teachings that encourage acts of compassion among people. Followers are urged to love their neighbors as they love themselves. The Bible also emphasizes that it is crucial to alleviate the burdens and sufferings of those in need, whether they are strangers, friends, or enemies. According to biblical teachings, compassion extends beyond the boundaries of kindred or familiarity. Followers are called upon to display compassion by forgiving one another because God forgave their sins first. Compassion, according to Bible teachings, mirrors God’s love, mercy, and grace to humanity.
Why Is Compassion Significant According to the Bible?
The Bible hosts numerous accounts underscoring the significance of being compassionate. First, compassion reflects God’s character and love for his creations. Being compassionate to others is a way of manifesting God’s love on Earth. Second, compassion acts as a vehicle for spiritual and personal development for believers. When one portrays compassion in daily actions, it not only brings them closer to being like Jesus but also nurtures their spiritual growth. Lastly, through compassion, believers can contribute to making the world a better place, a reflection of the kingdom of God.
When Does The Bible Encourage Compassion?
The Bible encourages compassion at all times. It calls for followers to express compassion to everyone, irrespective of who they are or their situation. Compassion, according to the Bible, should be ubiquitous, transcending all societal, racial or religious barriers. Compassionate acts range from comforting those in distress, showing kindness to strangers, caring for the poor and vulnerable, forgiving each other, and assisting those in need. Compassion is encouraged as an enduring principle that believers should exhibit continually in their actions and words.
Where Does Compassion Fit Into The Bible’s Teachings?
Compassion is at the heart of the Bible’s teachings on love, forgiveness, mercy, and brotherhood. It is a cornerstone in teachings about God’s character and His expectation for how humanity should interact. The Bible emphasizes the role of compassion in mirroring the image and likeness of God. In showing compassion, believers emulate God’s kindness. Compassion is, therefore, a crucial aspect of a believer’s walk with God. It is interwoven in the Bible’s narrative and central to the call to love one another, just as God loves humanity. So deeply is compassion interwoven with biblical teachings that it is not just recommended but also seen as a command and requirement for all.
Below is our full list of bible verses on compassion (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Compassion
Ephesians 4:32
“32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Forgiveness Kindness Bitterness Reconciliation
Mark 6:34
“34 And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.”
Colossians 3:12-13
“12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
Related Themes: Humility Patience Criticism Kindness Patience
Galatians 6:2
“2 Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
Related Themes: Suffering Strangers Community Justice Homelessness
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
Related Themes: Suffering Loneliness Comfort Suffering
Genesis 6:6
“6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.”
Related Themes: Repentance
Matthew 14:14
“14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.”
1 Peter 3:8
“8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:”
Related Themes: Humility Empathy Selflessness Judging Others Vindictiveness
1 John 3:17
“17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”
Related Themes: Homelessness Selfishness Money Serving The Poor
Matthew 9:36
“36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”
Related Themes: Empathy
Colossians 3:12
“12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;”
Related Themes: Humility Patience Criticism Kindness Patience
Psalm 86:15
“15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.”
2 Peter 3:9
“9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
Related Themes: Repentance Patience Attitude Suffering Quitting
Isaiah 49:15
“15 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.”
Related Themes: Children Loneliness Rejection Abandonment Love
Matthew 7:1-2
“1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.”
Related Themes: Judging Others Criticism Judging Others Gossip
Romans 12:15
“15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”
Related Themes: Joy Empathy Emotions Friendship Kindness
Lamentations 3:22-23
“22 It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
Related Themes: New Beginnings New Life New Beginnings New Day New Life
Psalm 103:13
“13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.”
Related Themes: Respecting Your Parents Reverence Children Fear Parents
Romans 8:1
“1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Related Themes: Lust Criticism Frustration Trespassing Frustration
Luke 15:20
“20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.”
Isaiah 30:18
“18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.”
Related Themes: Justice Patience Justice Waiting Social Justice
Psalm 78:38
“38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.”
Luke 7:13
“13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.”
Related Themes: Healing
Hebrews 4:15
“15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”
Psalm 103:2-4
“2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;”
Exodus 33:19
“19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.”
Proverbs 19:17
“17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Strangers Business Money Serving The Poor
Romans 12:20
“20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.”
Related Themes: Homelessness Forgiveness Enemies Bitterness Resolving Conflict
James 1:27
“27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
Related Themes: Strangers Homelessness Holiness Benevolence Justice
John 16:33
“33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
Related Themes: Frustration Suffering Peace Homelessness Bitterness
