1 John 3:17
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?”
Romans 12:15
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
Colossians 3:12
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Galatians 6:2
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
James 2:15-16
“Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”
Luke 6:31
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Proverbs 3:27
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to act.”
1 Peter 3:8
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”
Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Philippians 2:4
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Hebrews 4:15
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
Isaiah 58:10
“…and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”
Psalm 82:3-4
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
Matthew 25:35-36
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
Romans 15:1
“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.”
Proverbs 31:8-9
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
Acts 20:35
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
1 Corinthians 12:26
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
Lamentations 3:32
“Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.”
Matthew 9:36
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Matthew 7:12
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Psalm 145:9
“The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.”
Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
James 1:27
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Matthew 12:7
“If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.”
Psalm 41:1
“Blessed are those who have regard for the weak; the LORD delivers them in times of trouble.”
Luke 10:33-34
“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.”
Romans 12:20
“On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.'”
Psalm 103:13
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.”
Matthew 14:14
“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.”
Zechariah 7:9
“This is what the LORD Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.”
Proverbs 11:25
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Psalm 112:5
“Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Psalm 130:7
“Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.”
Matthew 23:23
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”
Romans 2:4
“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”
What Does the Bible Say About Empathy?
When we explore the concept of empathy in the Bible, we find that it is a theme woven throughout many scriptures and teachings. Empathy, or the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, is a critical aspect of the Christian life and is often highlighted in God’s instructions to us.
One of the most significant teachings about empathy comes from Jesus Christ himself. Throughout his ministry, Jesus consistently demonstrated compassion and understanding toward others. For instance, when He wept at the tomb of Lazarus (John 11), we see an embodiment of empathy—a deep emotional response to the sorrow of His friends, Mary and Martha. This powerful moment reminds us that even God incarnate was moved by the pain of others and responded with compassion.
Another cornerstone of empathy in the Bible is found in the commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). This directive is more than a call to action; it is a call to feel for others as we would for ourselves. To love our neighbor genuinely, we must first seek to understand their experiences, struggles, and emotions. This level of connectedness goes beyond simple acts of kindness—it requires us to cultivate a sincere emotional bond with those around us.
The Apostle Paul also reinforced the importance of empathy in his letters. In Romans 12:15, Paul instructs us to “rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” This call to share in the emotional highs and lows of others is a clear demonstration of empathy’s role in building a compassionate and connected community. By participating in the full spectrum of human experiences with our brothers and sisters, we fulfill the law of Christ as described in Galatians 6:2: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Empathy is not just a passive feeling but an active pursuit. The story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) exemplifies this. The Samaritan not only felt pity for the injured man but also took concrete steps to help him, despite their cultural differences and potential risks. This parable teaches us that true empathy requires action and often involves personal sacrifice and initiative.
As we reflect on these teachings, it becomes evident that the Bible calls us to a profound and active empathy that transforms our relationships and communities. It’s an empathy that is modeled by Jesus, mandated in His commandments, and echoed by His followers. Through empathy, we reflect God’s love in tangible ways, fostering a world rooted in mutual understanding and compassion.