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What does the Bible say about compassion to others?

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The Bible calls believers to reflect God’s mercy by showing sincere, practical compassion to others, especially those in need. Because God has forgiven us in Christ, Ephesians 4:32 urges us to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. Colossians 3:12 and 1 Peter 3:8 describe compassion as part of the character God forms in His people, while Galatians 6:2 calls us to bear one another’s burdens. Jesus’ parable in Luke 10:30-35 teaches that neighbor-love crosses social boundaries and acts at personal cost. Such mercy is the fruit of the Spirit, not a means of earning salvation, and 1 John 3:17 warns against love that remains only in words.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Ephesians 4:32 6 votes

    And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.

  • Colossians 3:12 5 votes

    Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;

  • Galatians 6:2 4 votes

    Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

  • 1 Peter 3:8 3 votes

    Finally, all of you be like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous,

  • Matthew 7:12 3 votes

    Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

  • Luke 10:30-35 3 votes

    Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’

  • Galatians 5:22-23 2 votes

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

  • Matthew 9:36-38 2 votes

    But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest.”

  • 1 Peter 4:10 2 votes

    As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms.

  • 1 John 3:17 2 votes

    But whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, then closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him?

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