Showing empathy and assistance to others in their needs.
1. The Biblical Definition of Compassion and Support
In Scripture, compassion is not mere sentiment; it is a God-breathed, action-producing love toward those in need.
Key Biblical Words
Hebrew (OT)
רַחֲמִים (rachamim) – Often translated “compassion,” “mercy,” or “tender mercies.” It comes from a root related to the womb, picturing deep, parental, covenantal affection (e.g., “As a father has compassion on his children…” – Psalm 103:13).
חֶסֶד (chesed) – Frequently rendered “lovingkindness,” “steadfast love,” or “mercy.” It is covenant love that acts—loyal, committed, and practical (Micah 6:8; Psalm 136).
Greek (NT)
σπλαγχνίζομαι (splagchnizomai) – “To be moved with compassion” (literally, a movement in the inward parts, the “bowels”). Used repeatedly of Jesus (e.g., Matthew 9:36; 14:14). It is not cold pity; it is love that stirs you so deeply you must act.
ἔλεος (eleos) – “Mercy,” compassion expressed in help (Luke 1:50, 58).
παρακαλέω (parakaleō) – “To encourage, comfort, exhort, support” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). This word is related to Paraklētos, the “Helper/Comforter” (John 14:16), showing that to support others is to reflect the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Biblical definition:
Compassion and support, biblically, is Spirit-inspired, covenant love that feels the pain of others, is moved inwardly, and expresses itself in concrete actions of mercy, encouragement, and practical help.
It is not optional. It is a mark of true discipleship:
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
And this love is not in word only:
“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:18)
2. Old Testament Foundation
Compassion and support are not New Testament innovations; they are rooted in the very character of God revealed in the Old Testament.
2.1 God’s Compassionate Nature
God reveals Himself as “compassionate and gracious”:
“The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.” (Exodus 34:6)
The word “merciful” here is from rachum, related to rachamim—deep, tender compassion. This is foundational:
God’s actions toward Israel are consistently motivated by compassion.
Psalm 103:13–14 – “As a father pities (racham) his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”
Lamentations 3:22–23 – “Through the LORD’s mercies (chesed) we are not consumed, because His compassions (rachamim) fail not. They are new every morning.”
2.2 Compassion Embedded in the Law
The Law is not merely legal; it is compassionate. God commands Israel to reflect His heart:
Care for the poor and vulnerable
“If there is among you a poor man… you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand… but you shall open your hand wide to him…” (Deuteronomy 15:7–8).
“You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child.” (Exodus 22:22).
Justice with mercy
“You shall not pervert the justice due the stranger or the fatherless, nor take a widow’s garment as a pledge.” (Deuteronomy 24:17).
Practical provision
Gleaning laws: “You shall not wholly reap the corners of your field… you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger: I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:9–10).
The Law trains Israel to institutionalize compassion—to build systems that protect and support the weak.
2.3 Compassion in the Prophets and Writings
The prophets repeatedly rebuke Israel for religious activity without compassion:
Isaiah 58:6–7 – True fasting is “to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out…”
Micah 6:8 – “What does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy (chesed), and to walk humbly with your God?”
The Psalms celebrate God’s compassion and call His people to imitate it:
Psalm 146:7–9 – God “executes justice for the oppressed… gives food to the hungry… watches over the strangers… relieves the fatherless and widow.”
In short, the Old Testament reveals a God who feels, acts, and commands His people to do likewise.
3. The Fulfillment in Christ
Jesus is the perfect revelation of the Father’s compassionate heart (John 14:9; Hebrews 1:3). The Gospels repeatedly highlight that His miracles, teachings, and interactions flow from compassion.
3.1 Jesus “Moved with Compassion”
For the sick
“And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion (splagchnizomai) toward them, and He healed their sick.” (Matthew 14:14).
To the leper: “Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him… ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’” (Mark 1:41).
For the hungry
“I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat.” (Mark 8:2). He then multiplies the loaves.
For the spiritually lost and harassed
“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36).
Jesus’ compassion is not passive. It produces healing, deliverance, provision, and teaching. Compassion is a power conduit—it releases the anointing to meet needs.
3.2 Parables of Compassion
Jesus’ parables reveal God’s heart and the standard for His people:
The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37)
The Samaritan “had compassion” (v. 33), drew near, bound wounds, poured oil and wine, carried the man, paid for his care. Jesus ends with, “Go and do likewise” (v. 37). Compassion is costly, practical, and cross-boundary.
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:20)
The father “saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.” This is the Father’s heart toward repentant sinners—eager, embracing, restoring.
3.3 The Cross as the Ultimate Act of Compassion
At the cross, Christ bears our sins, sorrows, and pains:
“Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows…” (Isaiah 53:4).
“God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8).
The cross is compassion incarnate—God entering our suffering, taking our place, and providing eternal support: forgiveness, healing, deliverance, and reconciliation.
4. The Power for Today: Compassion in the Holy Spirit
This is critical: compassion is not just a moral ideal; it is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in and through the believer. The same Jesus who was moved with compassion now lives in us by His Spirit (Galatians 2:20).
4.1 The Holy Spirit, the Paraklētos
Jesus calls the Spirit the Paraklētos—Helper, Comforter, Advocate (John 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7). The root parakaleō means “to come alongside to help, comfort, encourage.”
When you support and encourage others in the Spirit, you are participating in the very ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 5:5 – “The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
This love is not human-level kindness; it is God’s own love operating in us.
4.2 Compassion as a Fruit and a Gift
Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23): Love, kindness, goodness, gentleness. These are compassionate qualities produced by the Spirit in a surrendered life.
Gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7–11): Words of knowledge, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment—all can be vehicles of compassion. The gifts are not for show; they are for serving and supporting people in need (1 Corinthians 12:7; 14:3).
When you feel a Spirit-given burden for someone—an inner stirring to pray, speak, give, or help—that may be the compassion of Christ rising within you, often accompanied by a gift of the Spirit to meet that need.
4.3 Authority of the Believer in Compassion
Compassion is not weakness; it is kingdom authority expressed in love.
Jesus gave His disciples authority over demons and disease (Luke 9:1–2; 10:19).
He then commanded them to preach the kingdom and heal the sick (Matthew 10:7–8).
When we see suffering, we are not helpless observers. In Christ, we are authorized agents of His compassion:
To lay hands on the sick and expect healing (Mark 16:17–18; James 5:14–15).
To cast out demons in Jesus’ name (Mark 16:17; Acts 16:18).
To speak words of life, encouragement, and prophecy that strengthen and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3).
Compassion, joined with faith, releases the power of God into impossible situations.
4.4 Expecting God to Move
A continuationist, Spirit-filled perspective insists: God still moves today as He did in the Gospels and Acts. Compassion should lead us to expect His intervention.
Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Acts 10:38 – Jesus “went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
Now, Jesus continues His ministry through His Body:
John 14:12 – “He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do…”
When you are moved with compassion, do not stop at human sympathy. Ask the Holy Spirit: “How do You want to move here?” Then act in faith—pray, command, minister, give—expecting God to confirm His Word (Mark 16:20).
5. Practical Application: Walking in Compassion and Support
Here are concrete steps to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and walk in true, powerful compassion.
Step 1: Receive God’s Compassion for You
You cannot give what you have not received. Many struggle to show compassion because they secretly believe God is harsh toward them.
Meditate on Scriptures about God’s compassion (Psalm 103; Lamentations 3:22–23; Luke 15:11–32).
Pray: “Father, by Your Spirit, reveal Your heart of compassion toward me. Heal my image of You.”
Let the Holy Spirit apply the cross personally: Jesus carried your sorrows (Isaiah 53:4). As you receive His comfort, you are equipped to comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).
Step 2: Ask for the Heart of Jesus
Compassion is not self-generated; it is Christ’s heart formed in you.
Pray daily: “Lord Jesus, give me Your eyes for people. Let me be moved with Your compassion. Holy Spirit, sensitize my heart.”
Yield to the Spirit when He nudges you—an unusual concern for someone, a burden to pray, a sense of another’s pain. Don’t ignore these; they are often invitations to minister.
Step 3: Combine Compassion with Faith and Obedience
When you sense compassion, act:
Pray for the sick, expecting healing (Mark 16:18). Lay hands, speak in Jesus’ name, command sickness to go.
Minister deliverance when the Spirit leads. In love, command unclean spirits to leave in Jesus’ name (Mark 16:17).
Speak encouragement and prophecy. Ask, “Lord, what are You saying to this person?” Share words that edify, exhort, and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3).
Give practically—time, money, presence, skills (James 2:15–17). Compassion without action is dead.
Faith says, “God, You are compassionate and powerful. As I step out, You will move.”
Step 4: Build a Lifestyle of Support in Community
Compassion is not just occasional; it is a culture in the Body of Christ.
Join or help form small groups where needs are known and met (Acts 2:44–45; 4:32–35).
Practice bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2): listening, praying, visiting, helping with practical tasks.
Make encouragement a habit: “Exhort one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13). A simple word of hope can rescue someone from despair.
Ask the Lord: “Who have You placed in my life to support consistently?” Then be intentional.
Step 5: Guard Your Heart and Stay Filled with the Spirit
Compassionate ministry can be draining if you try to carry it in your own strength.
Stay filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) through worship, the Word, prayer, and obedience.
Learn healthy boundaries—Jesus often withdrew to pray (Luke 5:16). Being led by the Spirit includes knowing when to rest.
Cast cares on the Lord (1 Peter 5:7). You are not the Savior; you are His servant. Keep releasing people and situations back to Him.
As you stay connected to the Vine (John 15:5), compassion will flow like a river, not a forced effort.
6. Key Scriptures with Brief Commentary
Psalm 103:13–14
“As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”
– Reveals God’s tender, understanding compassion. He knows our weakness and responds as a loving Father, not a harsh judge.
Isaiah 58:6–7
“Is this not the fast that I have chosen… Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out…”
– True spirituality expresses itself in practical compassion. God rejects religious performance without care for the oppressed.
Matthew 9:36
“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.”
– Shows Jesus’ heart for the spiritually lost and harassed. Compassion leads to prayer for laborers (v. 37–38) and to ministry.
Mark 1:41
“Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’”
– Compassion leads to healing power. Jesus’ willingness reveals God’s heart toward the outcast and afflicted.
Luke 10:33–37 (Good Samaritan)
“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion…”
– Defines neighbor-love as active, costly compassion that crosses social and ethnic boundaries. Jesus’ command: “Go and do likewise.”
2 Corinthians 1:3–4
“The Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble…”
– God’s comfort to us becomes the source of our comfort to others. Ministry flows from what we have personally received.
1 John 3:16–18
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren… let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”
– The cross is the pattern. Real love sacrifices and meets practical needs. Anything less is incomplete.
Closing Exhortation
Compassion and support are not side issues; they are central to the gospel and to Spirit-filled living. The same Jesus who was moved with compassion now lives in you by His Spirit. As you yield to Him, He will:
Fill you with the Father’s heart,
Move you to act in love,
Confirm His Word with power,
And build a community where His compassion is visible and tangible.
Ask Him today: “Lord, make me an instrument of Your compassion. Use my hands, my words, my resources, and my faith to reveal Your heart to those in need.” Then step out, expecting the Holy Spirit to move.