Sympathizing, in the biblical context, refers to the act of sharing in the feelings and experiences of others, particularly in their suffering or distress. This concept is deeply rooted in the Christian ethos of love, compassion, and community, as exemplified by Jesus Christ and taught throughout the Scriptures.

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 encapsulates the call to empathize with others, sharing in both their joys and sorrows.

The ultimate model of sympathy is found in Jesus Christ, who is described as our 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 rooted in His incarnation, where He fully experienced human life and its challenges.

Old Testament Insights

In the Old Testament, the concept of sympathizing is often linked with the idea of loving one's neighbor. Leviticus 19:18 commands, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." This love involves understanding and sharing in the experiences of others, fostering a community where individuals support one another.

The Book of Job provides a narrative exploration of sympathy, as Job's friends initially come to comfort him in his suffering. Although their attempts eventually fall short, their initial actions demonstrate the human inclination to sympathize with those in distress (Job 2:11-13).

Practical Application

Sympathizing with others is a practical outworking of the Christian faith. Believers are called to bear one another's burdens, as Paul instructs in Galatians 6:2 : "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This involves active listening, offering comfort, and providing practical help to those in need.

The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) further illustrates the call to sympathize with others, regardless of social or ethnic boundaries. The Samaritan's actions demonstrate true compassion and mercy, serving as a model for believers to follow.

Sympathy in the Early Church

The early Christian community exemplified the principle of sympathizing through their communal life. 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 sharing of resources and mutual support was a tangible expression of their sympathy and love for one another.

Conclusion

Sympathizing is a vital aspect of Christian living, reflecting the character of Christ and the teachings of Scripture. It calls believers to engage deeply with the lives of others, offering compassion and support in times of need. Through sympathy, Christians fulfill the law of love and bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Sympathize.4835. sumpathes -- sympathetic
... sympathetic. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: sumpathes Phonetic Spelling:
(soom-path-ace') Short Definition: sympathizing, compassionate Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4835.htm - 6k

Whether Pain or Sorrow are Assuaged by the Sympathy of Friends?
... Objection 1: It would seem that the sorrow of sympathizing friends does not
assuage our own sorrow. For contraries have contrary effects. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether pain or sorrow are.htm

Acts of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul.
... And Dioscorus the shipmaster, who brought him to Syracuse, sympathizing with Paul
because he had delivered his son from death, having left his own ship in ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostles peter and paul/acts of the holy apostles.htm

Making the Man.
... man of God was a zealous Methodist Churchman, who made Huddersfield the headquarters
of extensive labors in all the neighboring region, sympathizing with the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/ii making the man.htm

The Christian view of Sorrow
... "Daughters of Jerusalem," said he, to the sympathizing women, "weep not for me,
but weep for yourselves and for your children." As though he had said, "You ...
/.../chapin/the crown of thorns/the christian view of sorrow.htm

Resignation
... I would not have the consoling strength, the sympathizing tenderness, the holy victory
that may be drawn from thence,"I would not have these left out from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapin/the crown of thorns/resignation.htm

Conclusion.
... Or you may remember your soul's peaceful trust in God, as you stood alone, with
no sympathizing kindred; and felt, as you tasted the cup,"the emblem of your ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clark/the faithful steward/conclusion.htm

Luke's Attitude Towards the Roman World
... Before criticizing, we must make sure that we understand rightly; and we shall never
understand rightly, unless we begin by sympathizing with the writer and ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 3 lukes attitude towards.htm

Sebastian Franck: an Apostle of Inward Religion
... Franck, however, though sympathizing with the aspirations of the Anabaptists for
a new age, did not feel confidence in their views or their methods. ...
/.../chapter iv sebastian franck an.htm

Preface
... It needs only to be added, that whilst warmly sympathizing with the earnest spirit
which pervades the book, the translator by no means wishes to be identified ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/preface.htm

Living, Loving, Lasting Union
... The building was crowded with sympathizing friends, who came to testify the affection
they bore to the beloved deacon who had been so suddenly called from ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/living loving lasting union.htm

Sympathizing (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Sympathize. Multi-Version
Concordance Sympathizing (1 Occurrence). John 11:31 So the ...
/s/sympathizing.htm - 6k

Sympathy (15 Occurrences)

/s/sympathy.htm - 12k

Sympathize (3 Occurrences)

/s/sympathize.htm - 7k

Supposing (16 Occurrences)
... John 11:31 So the Jews who were with Mary in the house sympathizing with her, when
they saw that she had risen hastily and had gone out, followed her ...
/s/supposing.htm - 11k

Salutation (6 Occurrences)
... must be some secret ailment or mysterious sorrow oppressing you, which you wished
to conceal, so as to spare the feelings of a dear, sympathizing friend, but ...
/s/salutation.htm - 10k

Aloud (141 Occurrences)
... (WEY). John 11:31 So the Jews who were with Mary in the house sympathizing with
her, when they saw that she had risen hastily and had gone out, followed her ...
/a/aloud.htm - 34k

Risen (169 Occurrences)
... John 11:31 So the Jews who were with Mary in the house sympathizing with her, when
they saw that she had risen hastily and had gone out, followed her ...
/r/risen.htm - 35k

Rise (417 Occurrences)
... John 11:31 So the Jews who were with Mary in the house sympathizing with her, when
they saw that she had risen hastily and had gone out, followed her ...
/r/rise.htm - 39k

Ascension (1 Occurrence)
... on our behalf, interceding by His presence, bestowing the Holy Spirit, governing
and guiding the church, sympathizing, helping and saving His people, we are ...
/a/ascension.htm - 34k

Job (60 Occurrences)
... on whom he had counted for support, are deceitful like a dried-up brook (6:15-20);
he feels, in his sick sensitiveness, that they are not sympathizing with him ...
/j/job.htm - 62k

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