How does Christianity view compassion?

Question

How does Christianity view compassion?

According to Christianity, does compassion mean to "suffer together", as in this Google search result?

What is the true meaning of compassion? Compassion literally means “to suffer together.” Among emotion researchers, it is defined as the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another's suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering. Compassion is not the same as empathy or altruism, though the concepts are related.

Does the Bible also teach that compassion mean to "suffer together" or does compassion also have another implicit meaning?

EDITED and this section moved to answer as below

Answer 1

The Bible is (or, should be!) the most authoritative source for Christians. Using as my 'reputable source' Robert Young's "Analytical Concordance" for the Authorised Version, I have learned the following:

The Old Testament has 22 verses using several different Hebrew words for 'compassion'. Two of them include the meaning of "to pity" and "to spare". One means "tender mercies". One means being full of "compassionate mercies". Another means to "love, pity, be merciful". Christians would learn a lot about compassion from studying those 22 verses, for God also shows such compassion. Such an understanding would follow on in to the New Testament.

There are 20 instances of compassion being written in the New Testament.

One Greek word is spla, meaning "deepest yearning" ('bowels' being the old-fashioned English word implying deepest feeling). Matthew 9:36; 14:14; 18:27. Mark 1:41; 6:34

A very similar meaning, having deepest yearning, occurs in Matthew 15:32; 20:34. Mark 8:2; 9:22. Luke 7:13; 10:33; 15:20.

Another meaning is with the Greek word eleeo, to "show mildness, kindness", and is found in Matthew 18:33 and Mark 5:19, then Jude vs. 22.

The word that has the sense of suffering compassionately with others is in 1 Peter 3:8. It is also in Hebrews 10:34. This is the word sumpatheo.

Undoubtedly, for Christians to suffer together in love will build them up in faith. It goes beyond mere theory, or mere feelings, and entails living out this quality.

EDIT in response to comment: A fulsome answer would go into all 42 verses where compassion is involved, and, yes, the Hebrew word rachum is powerful in showing what is involved in God's compassions, but I do not see that word used in Psalm 103:8, A.V. It reads, "The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." Reading on to verse 14 gives the full measure of God's wonderful dealings with sinful humanity, so I would suggest all those verses need to be grasped to see how high above the heavens are God's mercies to us. I would never single out 'compassion' as "one of the most essential of God's characteristics". They are all on a par.

And, as another answer has succinctly pointed out, the greatest proof of God's compassion towards sinners was in sending his beloved, only-begotten Son to suffer and die for sinners. Of course, that supreme example involves all of God's characteristics, not just one. Christ entered compassionately into our desperate, doomed situation, to deliver us. And that should be the uppermost view Christians have of God's compassion.

Answer 2

During my early years as a Christian, I listened to the four gospel accounts being read out on cassette tapes (yes, that was a long time ago) and what impressed me the most was the number of times I heard “and Jesus had compassion on them.” Jesus Christ, the Son of God exemplified all the Father’s attributes, including His compassion. Compassion is a deep empathy for those who are in need. To be compassionate is to have mercy towards others, to feel sympathy, and to have pity. It moves us to action, to show love for others in a Christ-like way.

When Jesus saw His friends weeping at the grave of Lazarus, He felt compassion for them and wept alongside them (John 11:33-35). Moved with compassion for the suffering of others, Jesus healed the large crowds who came to Him (Matthew 14:14), as well as individuals who sought His healing (Mark 1:40-41). When He saw the large crowds as sheep without a shepherd, His compassion led Him to teach them the things the false shepherds of Israel had abandoned. The priests and scribes were proud and corrupt; they despised the common people and neglected them, but Jesus had compassion on them, and He taught and loved them.

“The Lord is gracious and full of compassion” (Psalm 111:4, NKJV). By nature, He is imbued with tenderness, kindness, and compassion (Psalm 119:156; Joel 2:13; 2 Corinthians 1:3; James 5:11). God’s compassion is closely related to His love and mercy. Compassion is a deep empathy for those who are in need. Source

Because we are helpless Christ Jesus became one of us so that He could rescue us (John 1:14; Philippians 2:6–7). He experienced human sorrow, pain, and temptation (Hebrews 4:15). He is the physical embodiment of compassion.

The most profound and extravagant expression of God’s compassion is in Jesus Christ, His Son, whom He sent to be our Savior (Luke 1:78–79). Jesus’ ministry was filled with compassion: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36, NLT). Moved by compassion, Jesus healed the sick (Matthew 14:14; 20:34; Mark 8:2), comforted the grieving (Luke 7:13; 8:50; John 11:33–35), fed the hungry (Matthew 15:32), offered rest to the weary and burdened (Matthew 11:28–29), and ministered salvation to the lost (Matthew 9:36; John 8:10–11).

Because our God is gracious, righteous, and full of compassion (Psalm 116:5), He calls His chosen children to clothe themselves “with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” toward one another (Colossians 3:12). The apostle Paul urged believers to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). Jesus is our perfect model to follow (Luke 10:36–37; John 13:34; 17:18; Philippians 2:1), and is our ever-present helper, equipping and filling us with the divine power and inspiration to love others with His compassion. Source

Christian compassion is more than simply feeling sorry for others. The principle is that not only must we love God will our whole being, but we must also love our neighbour. And who is our neighbour? It is more than our Christian brothers and sisters. It is more than our family and friends. Our neighbour embraces every person we come into contact with. Christian compassion will motivate us to action to help others, materially or physically and also spiritually, both within the Church and beyond.

These three Bible verses give us the Christian view of compassion:

Colossians 3:12-13 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Yes, Christians can expect to suffer together, just as our Lord and Saviour suffered. And Christians are called to help one another so we will be built up in the faith. As we talk about the love of God, we must practice what we preach, regardless of personal cost.

Answer 3

Compassion isn't a term that either scriptures or any major sects of Christianity defines in a unique way as far as I am aware. That said, you can review the words in the original Hebrew and Greek to see the range of meaning these words can convey.

In Hebrew, the word רַחֲמִים (ra-cha-mim) can be translated as: mercy, compassion, or womb. The connection between compassion and the womb evokes the image of the love of a mother concerned for her child; it is action motivated by deep emotion and concern for another.

In Greek, the word σπλαγχνίζομαι (splagchnizomai) can be translated as: to be moved in the inward parts, to feel compassion.

Strong's Dictionary (linked above) provides this additional bit of information:

Cognate: 4697 splagxnízomai – "from splanxna, 'the inward parts,' especially the nobler entrails – the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. These gradually came to denote the seat of the affections" (WS, 111). See 4698 (splangxnon).

Once more, the word being translated as compassion from the Greek communicates this idea of being moved by the "seat of the affections" - by something internal. Compassion is an emotional response reflecting our affections for another.

Answer 4

For the most fundamental answer to this question I would look to the Lord Jesus himself. He did not merely suffer with us but He also suffered for us.

Though he was not subject to death, He took on flesh in order to suffer death for all men, thus freeing them by His own suffering.

Given this greatest show of compassion we should not shy away from the thought of suffering with our brothers nor of rejoicing with them.

Answer 5

James 1:2-4 (ESV) has this to say about Suffering:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

The Suffering,

> When you meet trials of various kinds --> (Implies) Testing from God

> for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. --> (Implies) Learning or Putting Faith into Action rather than Sola Fide

> that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. --> (Implies) Growth in a Christian together with bonding of love

In other words, would Christians conceive "compassion" to also include the implicit meaning of "learning and growing together" instead of "suffering together". Challenges make you stronger everyday. God wants you to be stronger

or as per @Anne answer "Christians to suffer together in love will build them up in faith. It goes beyond mere theory, or mere feelings, and entails living out this quality."