Compassion

Compassion is a gift that God gives to his children even as babies. Think back to your childhood and the puppies, kittens and baby birds that you wanted to adopt. This gift is challenged over and over as we grow older, so that by the time we are adults, it has gotten lost amid the struggles of just living. Below are verses on compassion that I have researched to try to learn more about this powerful gift.

COMPASSION IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. In these verses the Hebrew word châmal is translated as compassion – châmal: to commiserate, to spare, to have compassion, to have pity (from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, Hebrew lexicon 2550)

And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children. Exodus 2:6

And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me. 1 Samuel 23:21

And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place… 2 Chronicles 36:15

Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand. 2 Chronicles 36:17

None eye pitied thee, to do any of these unto thee, to have compassion upon thee; but thou wast cast out in the open field, to the lothing of thy person, in the day that thou wast born. Ezekiel 16:5

2. In these verses the Hebrew word rachûwm is translated as compassion – rachûwm: compassionate, full of compassion. (from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, Hebrew lexicon 7349)

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. Psalm 78:38

But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. Psalm 86:15

He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion. Psalm 111:4

Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. Psalm 112:4

The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. Psalm 145:8

3. In these verses the Hebrew word râcham is translated as compassion – râcham: to love, to caress, to love, find, have, obtain or show mercy, to have pity. (from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, Hebrew lexicon 7355)

And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers… Deuteronomy 13:17

That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee. Dueteronomy 30:3

And the LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them, and had respect unto them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet. 2 Kings 13:23

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. Isaiah 49:15

And it shall come to pass, after that I have plucked them out I will return, and have compassion on them, and will bring them again, every man to his heritage, and every man to his land. Jeremiah 12:15

It is of the Lord‘s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. Lamentations 3:22

But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. Lamentations 3:32

He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19

4. In these verses the Hebrew word racham is translated as compassion – racham: compassion (in the plural) the womb (as in cherishing the fetus), implying a maiden, bowels of compassion, damsel, tender love, great tender mercy, pity, womb. (from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, Hebrew lexicon 2556)

And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them… 1 Kings 8:50

For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him. 2 Chr 30:9

Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother… Zechariah 7:9

COMPASSION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

1. In these verses the Greek word eleeo is translated as compassion – eleeo: compassionate by word or deed, specifically by divine grace, to have compassion or pity on to have, obtain, receive or shew mercy. (from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, Greek lexicon 1653)

Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? Matthew 18:33

And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. Mark 5:18-19

Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Jude 21-23

2. In this verse the Greek word oyktiro is translated as compassion – oyktiro: compassionate by word or deed, specifically by divine grace, to have compassion or pity on to have, obtain, receive or shew mercy. (from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, Greek lexicon 3627)

For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. Romans 9:15

3. In this verse the Greek word metriopatheo is translated as compassion – metriopatheo: to be moderate in passion, that is, gentle (to treat indulgently); have compassion. (from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, Greek lexicon 3356)

For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. Hebrews 5:1

4. In this verse the Greek word sumpatheo is translated as compassion – sumpatheo: to feel sympathy, that is, by implication, to commiserate – have compassion, be touched with a feeling of. (from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, Greek lexicon 4834)

For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. Hebrews 10:34-35

5. In these verses the Greek word sympathes is translated as compassion – sympathes: having a fellow-feeling (sympathetic), that is, by implication, mutually commiserative; having compassion one of another. (from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, Greek lexicon 4835)

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9

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? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:17-18

6. In these verses the Greek word splagchnizomal is translated as compassion – splagchnizomal: to have the bowels yearn, feel sympathy, to pity, have compassion, be moved with compassion. (from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, Greek lexicon 4697). NOTE: This is the only translation of compassion that includes ‘moved with compassion.’ This seems to be the kind of compassion that Jesus worked through. Does ‘moved with compassion’ imply that there is more to this than just a feeling-sorry-for? Since each of these instances was accompanied by supernatural power, perhaps there is a God-connection with this type of compassion. Could it be that this type of compassion is a part of God’s character? And if we are made ‘in His likeness’ (Genesis 1:26) could it be that we also have this latent power gift?

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. Matthew 14:14-16

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. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest…. Matt 9:36-38

Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. Matthew 15:32-34

Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. Matthew 18:27

And, behold, two blind men sitting by the way side, when they heard that Jesus passed by, cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. And the multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace: but they cried the more, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. Matthew 20:30-34

And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. Mark 1:40

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. Mark 6:34

I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. Mark 8:2-5

And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Mark 9:20-24

And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother. Luke 7:13-15

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. Luke 10:33-34

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. Luke 15:20

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