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What does the Bible say about helping those who hurt?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that God draws near to the hurting and calls His people to comfort, serve, forgive, and patiently bear one another's burdens through the strength He supplies. God is the Father of mercies, who comforts believers in their troubles so they may comfort others, as 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 teaches. Galatians 6:2 calls the church to share burdens, while Psalm 34:18 assures the brokenhearted that the Lord is near. We help not with empty optimism, but with compassionate presence, prayer, practical care, and the hope of Christ, who was despised and acquainted with grief (Isaiah 53:3). God gives strength to the weary (Isaiah 40:29-31) and works even suffering for His people's ultimate good (Romans 8:28).

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

    [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. [5] For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ.

  • Galatians 6:2

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

  • Psalms 34:18

    Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves those who have a crushed spirit.

  • 1 Peter 4:19

    Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.

  • Isaiah 40:29-31

    [29] He gives power to the faint; and to him who has no might he increases strength. [30] Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: [31] but those who wait for Yahweh shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.

  • Romans 8:28

    We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.

  • Galatians 5:22

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

  • Isaiah 53:3

    He was despised, and rejected by men; a man of suffering, and acquainted with disease: and as one from whom men hide their face he was despised; and we didn't respect him.

  • Matthew 6:14-15

    [14] "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

  • Jeremiah 29:11

    For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.

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