What Is Compassion in the Bible?

Compassion is one of the most beautiful and frequently mentioned attributes in Scripture — the quality that distinguishes God's people and reflects the very heart of God. The Hebrew word rachamim and the Greek splagchnizomai both convey the idea of being moved in the deepest part of one's being — the bowels or womb — with tender affection and a desire to relieve suffering. Compassion is not merely feeling sorry for someone; it is being so moved that one acts to help. God's compassion is the foundation of all human compassion. The psalmist declared, 'The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.' God's compassion is not limited by the worthiness of its object. He is 'gracious unto all' and 'his tender mercies are over all his works.' His compassion led Him to deliver Israel from Egypt, to forgive their repeated rebellions in the wilderness, to send prophets to warn them, and ultimately to send His own Son to die for sinners. When Jesus looked upon the multitudes, He was 'moved with compassion' — the same word used for God's compassion in the Greek Old Testament. He saw them as sheep without a shepherd, harassed and helpless, and He healed their sick, fed their hungry, and taught them the good news of the kingdom. Jesus's compassion was not reserved for the deserving. He had compassion on the leper, the demon-possessed, the widow of Nain, the blind beggar, and even the rich young ruler who walked away sorrowful. His compassion extended to the crowds who crucified Him: 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.' The Bible commands compassion as an obligation, not merely an option. 'Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.' 'Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.' 'Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.' The Good Samaritan is the classic example of compassion in action. He saw a wounded stranger, had compassion on him, bandaged his wounds, transported him to safety, and paid for his care. The priest and Levite, who passed by on the other side, lacked this compassion — they had religion without love. Compassion is the test of genuine faith. '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?' True compassion is costly. It requires time, resources, emotional energy, and sometimes personal risk. It interrupts our plans, confronts our prejudices, and demands action rather than mere sentiment. But it is also the very quality that makes us most like Christ, the One who laid down His life for His enemies out of compassion for our desperate condition.