What does the Bible say

What Does the Bible Say About Compassion?

Compassion is woven through the whole Bible as the very heart of God, who is described as full of compassion, slow to anger, and rich in mercy. We are called to put on tender mercies, to weep with those who weep, and to be moved to help those who suffer. Compassion is love that feels another's pain and acts.

What Scripture says

Here are real verses on compassion, each in the King James Version, with a word on what it means.

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;Colossians 3:12 (KJV)

Put on bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.

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

The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, of great mercy.

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.Romans 12:15 (KJV)

Rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

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.Matthew 9:36 (KJV)

Jesus, seeing the crowds, was moved with compassion toward them.

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:1 Peter 3:8 (KJV)

Be of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful.

Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:Zechariah 7:9 (KJV)

Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother.

What this means for you today

Compassion is more than a feeling; it is love that draws near to suffering and does something about it. Jesus repeatedly saw hurting people, was moved, and acted.

We grow in compassion as we receive God's compassion toward us. The more we know how gently he has dealt with us, the more we are able to be gentle with others, especially those the world overlooks.

The deepest answer is Jesus

Jesus was so often moved with compassion that it defined his ministry, and he pours that same mercy into us to give away.

Every one of these Scriptures points beyond itself to a Person. The deepest answer the Bible gives to any human need is not a rule or a technique but Jesus Christ, who came, lived, died, and rose again so that you could be forgiven and brought home to God. He said, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Whatever you are carrying, you do not have to carry it alone, and you do not have to make yourself clean first. You can come to him today, just as you are.

This is the good news the whole Bible is telling. We were made for God, we have all turned from him and gone our own way, and none of us can fix that on our own. But God did not leave us there. Out of love he sent his Son to take our place, bearing our wrong on the cross and rising again to open the way back to the Father. Everyone who turns to Jesus and trusts him is forgiven, given new life, and welcomed as a beloved child of God, held by a love that will never let go. That is why the Bible's answer to every topic on this page finally leads here. You can respond right now, in your own words, simply telling God you need him and asking Jesus to be your Saviour and Lord. He hears the honest prayer of anyone who comes.

Related: Integrity · Gentleness · Meekness · Selfishness · Complaining · All topics