"Mercy VS Compassion" - A Biblical Comparison

 

"Mercy VS Compassion" - A Biblical Comparison

Romans 9:15: "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

2 Corinthians 1:3 states: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort."

 

Comparison Items	Mercy (eleos)	Compassion (oiktirmos)
Basic Meaning	External response and action towards people's pitiful conditions	Deep internal emotional response and feelings
Etymology Distinction	Greek 'eleos': refers to a response triggered by seeing others in miserable conditions	Greek 'oiktirmos': derived from a root word referring to internal organs, the center of tender affections
Nature Explanation	- More external manifestation - Focuses on actions - Concrete response to difficulties	- Deeper internal feelings - Focuses on emotional aspects - Love flowing from within
Concrete Examples	- Providing practical help - Meeting specific needs - Performing acts of kindness	- Shedding empathetic tears - Expressing deep sighs - Generating inner tender affection
Practical Application	Extending help and kindness to others externally	Developing deep compassionate feelings internally
Duration	Relatively short-term helping actions	More lasting emotional connection
Expression in God's Nature	God shows mercy externally, demonstrating His kind actions	God feels compassion internally, expressing His heartfelt emotions
Depth Comparison	Relatively surface-level, emphasizing action	Deeper, involving internal emotions
Relationship Between the Two	- Mutually complementary - Compassion is the inner driving force of mercy - Mercy is the external expression of compassion
Related Scripture	Matthew 9:36 "When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them" Luke 10:33 "The Good Samaritan took pity on him"	Romans 9:15 "I will have compassion on whom I have compassion" 2 Cor 1:3 "The Father of compassion" Philippians 2:1 "The affection of Christ"

 

This comparison demonstrates that mercy and compassion are two complementary aspects of God's dealings with people - one originating from within and one expressing outwardly, together manifesting God's complete love.

Some key differences:

1.      Mercy emphasizes understanding people's pitiful conditions and responding with action, so God shows mercy to people externally.

2.      Compassion emphasizes internal feelings, expressed through sighs and tears, so God feels compassion for people internally.

3.      Therefore, compassion is deeper than mercy.

While mercy and compassion are similar, compassion is deeper, more detailed, and richer. Mercy is somewhat external, but compassion is internal. Moreover, compassion tends to last longer than mercy. Therefore, compassion is both deeper and more enduring than mercy.

 

*Please refer to: International Training for Elders and Responsible Ones, October 2024

General Subject: Living in the Reality of the Kingdom of God

Week 5: Living Under God's Sovereign Authority and Living According to God's Mercy