📖 Biblical Definition
Biblical compassion is the disposition that suffers with another’s suffering — not pity from a distance but visceral, embodied joining. The Greek verb splanchnizomai ("to be moved in the bowels") describes Christ repeatedly: "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; cf. 14:14; 15:32; 20:34; Mark 1:41; Luke 7:13). The Father is the source of "the multitude of his tender mercies" (Psalm 51:1; 119:156). Christian compassion in Scripture is always followed by action — feeding, healing, teaching, lifting. Feeling that does not move the hand has not yet learned the word.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
A suffering with another; pity; commiseration; sympathy of pain or sorrow.
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COMPASSION, n. A suffering with another; pity; that sentiment of the heart which is excited by the suffering or distress of another.
The Greek splanchnizomai (used twelve times in the Synoptic Gospels of Jesus) is more visceral: literally moved in the bowels, an internal stirring that propels the compassionate man toward the suffering one.
📖 Key Scripture
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."
Mark 1:41 — "And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and said unto him, I will; be thou clean."
Luke 7:13 — "And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not."
Colossians 3:12 — "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern compassion is often performative and at distance; Scripture's compassion is visceral and immediate, always producing concrete help.
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Christ's compassion in the Gospels is consistently followed by an action: He healed, He fed, He raised, He taught, He touched the leper. The internal movement always produced an external response. There is no scene of distant Christly pity.
The household's compassion follows the same pattern. If the bowels are moved but no hand goes out, the compassion is incomplete. If a hand goes out without the inner movement, the help is mechanical. Scripture asks for both.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek has the visceral verb; Hebrew uses the related rachamim (womb-mercies).
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Greek splanchnizomai — to be moved in the inward parts; the New Testament's most visceral compassion verb.
Hebrew rachamim — tender mercies, compassions; cognate with rechem (womb).
Usage
"Compassion in Scripture is always followed by action."
"Bowels moved without hand extended is incomplete."
"Hand extended without bowels moved is mechanical."