Sympathizing, in the biblical context, refers to the act of sharing in the feelings and sufferings of others, demonstrating compassion and understanding. This concept is deeply rooted in the teachings of Scripture, where believers are encouraged to empathize with one another, reflecting the love and compassion of Christ.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on the importance of sympathizing with others. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul exhorts believers to "Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15). This verse highlights the call for Christians to engage emotionally with others, sharing in both their joys and sorrows.

The ultimate example of sympathy is found in Jesus Christ, who is described as a compassionate high priest. Hebrews 4:15 states, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin." Jesus' ability to sympathize with human frailty is a cornerstone of His ministry, as He fully understands the human condition and offers grace and mercy.

Old Testament Insights

In the Old Testament, the concept of sympathizing is often expressed through acts of kindness and mercy. The book of Job provides a narrative where Job's friends initially come to sympathize with him in his suffering. Job 2:11 notes, "Now when Job’s three friends heard about all this adversity that had come upon him, each of them came from his own country... They met together to go and sympathize with Job and comfort him." Although their subsequent actions were flawed, their initial intent reflects the biblical call to support those in distress.

Practical Application

Sympathizing is not merely an emotional response but involves practical actions. The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) illustrates this principle vividly. The Samaritan not only felt compassion for the injured man but also took concrete steps to care for him, demonstrating that true sympathy involves both feeling and action.

The Apostle Paul further instructs the church in Galatians 6:2 , "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This directive emphasizes that sympathizing involves actively helping others bear their burdens, reflecting the love and care that Christ has for His people.

Sympathy in the Early Church

The early church exemplified the practice of sympathizing through communal living and mutual support. Acts 2:44-45 describes how "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This passage illustrates the early Christians' commitment to meeting the needs

1877-1879. "They Helped Every one his Neighbour" --Miss Child, a ...
... Some of these are also teachers in our Sunday-school, sympathising with us in our
East-end trials, teaching to others what they have learned of Jesus through ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter vii 1877-1879 they helped.htm

From the End of the Third Continental Journey, in 1834, to the ...
... and faithfulness to the divine call, and the diffusion of clear and comprehensive
views of Scriptural truth; and when the hour came for sympathising with those ...
/.../chapter xiv from the end.htm

Not Servants, but Friends.
... but they do feel degraded when they are used as weapons of offence, as if they had
no intelligence to appreciate a worthy aim, no power of sympathising with a ...
/.../xiii not servants but friends.htm

Deaf Ears and Stammering Tongues.
... of labour in the workshop of Joseph the carpenter; or as the Friend of Sinners,
teaching the fallen woman at the well; or as the sympathising Brother of ...
/.../the life of duty a years plain sermons v 2/sermon xlvii deaf ears and.htm

Psalm 41. 1 2 3. Charity to the Poor; Or, Pity to the Afflicted.
... 1 Blest is the man whose bowels move, And melt with pity to the poor, Whose soul,
by sympathising love, Feels what his fellow-saints endure. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 41 1 2 3.htm

Letter clxxxiv. To Eustathius, Bishop of Himmeria.
... But every grief finds consolation in communication with sympathising friends.
Do then, I beg you, as often as you can, write to me. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter clxxxiv to eustathius bishop.htm

Prayer Born of Compassion
... To form in our obedient souls. The image of Thy love. "O may our sympathising breasts.
That generous pleasure know; Kindly to share in others' joy,. ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/x prayer born of compassion.htm

Influence of the Lxx. On Christian Biblical Literature.
... Augustine, while sympathising with Jerome's purpose, thought it a doubtful policy
to unsettle the laity by lowering the authority of the LXX. [941]. ...
/.../chapter v influence of the.htm

The Healing Christ
... That sigh proves that His cures were the works, not without cost to the doer, of
a sympathising heart, and not the mere passionless acts of a miracle-monger. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the healing christ.htm

Rahab's Faith
... This woman's faith was saving faith, singular faith, stable faith,
self-denying faith, sympathising faith, and sanctifying faith. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/rahabs faith.htm

Sympathising (1 Occurrence)
...Sympathising (1 Occurrence). 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be all of one mind, sympathising,
full of brotherly love, tender hearted, humble minded; (DBY). ...
/s/sympathising.htm - 6k

Sympathize (3 Occurrences)

/s/sympathize.htm - 7k

Sympathised (1 Occurrence)

/s/sympathised.htm - 6k

Brotherly (8 Occurrences)
... YLT). 1 Peter 3:8 Finally, be all of one mind, sympathising, full of brotherly
love, tender hearted, humble minded; (DBY NAS). 2 Peter ...
/b/brotherly.htm - 15k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus