A BRIEF WORD STUDY OF COMPASSION IN THE NEW TESTAMENT (3)

Victor M. Eskew

 

            In our last two articles, we have looked at seven Greek words that are translated “compassion” in our New Testament.  These seven words are translated compassion 21 times in the New Testament.  These words carry the following meanings:  pity, sympathy, to have sympathy for, to yearn for out of love, to have mercy, to bring help, to have compassion, to have passion for, to bear with one gently, to feel for, to suffer or feel like another, and to have feelings of kindness, tender affection, and benevolence for another.

            In this article, we want to briefly look at the passages that contain the word compassion.  First, three of them command us to have compassion on others.  In his first epistle, Peter writes:  “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another; love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous” (I Pet. 3:8).  Notice that the compassion commanded here is mutual.  All Christians are to manifest compassion between themselves.  It is a give and take command.  In I John 3:17, John notes that our love should include the quality of compassion.  “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?” (I John 3:17).  Then, Jude tells us that some individuals will have to be rescued from false teachers.  Some can be influenced with an expression of compassion, he says.  “And of some have compassion, making a difference” (Jude 22).

            Second, we find that compassion is an important teaching in three parables.  In Matthew 18:32-35 Jesus sets forth “The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant.”  A servant received the blessing of compassion from his lord and was forgiven a massive debt that he could not pay (Matt. 18:27).  Sadly, he did not have the same compassion in his heart.  Thus, he refused to forgive his fellowservant.  His lord rebuked him saying:  “Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?” (Matt. 18:33).  In Luke 10, compassion is the quality that distinguishes the Good Samaritan from the priest and Levite.  “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion on him” (v. 33).  It was this compassion that caused the Samaritan to act on the man’s behalf.  We also see compassion as part of the story in “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.”  “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).

            Third, God is said to be a God of compassion.  We have seen this in two of the parables mentioned above.  Romans 9:15 also confirms that God is a God of compassion.  “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.”

            Fourth, nine of the passages that refer to compassion involve the compassion of Jesus displayed during His earthly ministry.  The first verse that mentions the compassion of the Christ is Matthew 9:36.  “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.”  It was Jesus pity for others that oftentimes moved Him to perform miracles on their behalf.  “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick” (Matt. 14:14; see also Matt. 20:34; Mark 1:41; 5:19; Luke 7:13). 

            Fifth, one time during the ministry of Jesus, a man requested compassion for his son.  His son was demon possessed.  He had been this way since he was a small child.  The possession cause horrible things to happen to the child.  The father explained:  “And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him…” (Mark 9:22).  It was at that point the father asked for compassion.  “…but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us” (v. 22).  Fortunately for this man, he had come in contact with a man of deep compassion.  Jesus rebuked the spirit and it came forth from the lad.  Again, Jesus’ compassion healed an individual.

            Sixth, the Hebrew writer mentions the compassion of the high priest under the Mosaic Law in Hebrews 5:1-2.  “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.”  A man who stood as a go-between man and God desperately needed to feel compassion for his fellowman.  This compassion would allow him to effectively approach God on the sinner’s behalf.  Notice that the Hebrew writer reveals that this compassion sprang from the sinfulness of the high priest himself.  Because he was a sinner, he could understand the plight of the ignorant and of them that are out of the way.

            Seventh, the author of Hebrews acknowledges the compassion of his readers on his behalf in Hebrews 10:34.  He writes:  “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.”  Their compassion led to their sacrifice and service on the author’s behalf.  This is what compassion does.  It moves individuals to help and assist others in their affliction. 

            Compassion is definitely a very important Bible topic.  It is a quality that all Christians need to develop.  It is easy in our world to let our hearts become selfish and cold and uncaring.  When this happens, we become like the priest and Levite in “The Parable of the Good Samaritan” who passed by on the other side and left a man on the side of the road wounded and half dead.  That kind of a response to the hurting is tragic.  A heart like unto the heart of Christ, on the other hand, will respond with compassion.  It will love and manifest mercy in numerous ways.  “Father help each one of us to develop hearts of compassion that take joy in helping those in need.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.”