Compassion
Compassion
See Pity.
Fuente: Dictionary of the Apostolic Church
COMPASSION
Is that species of affection which is excited either by the actual distress of its object, or by some impending calamity which appears inevitable. It is a benevolent sorrow for the sufferings or approaching misery of another. The etymology of the word expresses this idea with strict propriety, as it signifies suffering with the object. Hobbes makes this a mere selfish passion, and defines it as “being fear for ourselves.” Hutcheson resolves it into instinct; but Dr. Butler much more properly considers it as an original distinct particular affection in human nature. It may be considered as a generic name, comprehending several other affections; as mercy, commiseration, pity. This affection, (as well as every other of our nature, ) no doubt, was wisely given us by our Creator. “Ideas of fitness, ” as Saurin observes, “seldom make much impression on the bulk of mankind; it was necessary therefore to make sensibility supply the want of reflection; and by a counter-blow with which the miseries of a neighbour strike our feeling, produce a disposition in us to relieve him.”
Fuente: Theological Dictionary
COMPASSION
See MERCY.
Fuente: Bridgeway Bible Dictionary
Compassion
COMPASSION.See Pity.
Fuente: A Dictionary Of Christ And The Gospels
Compassion
COMPASSION.See Pity.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Compassion
kom-pashun: Compassion is the translation of , raham, to love, pity, be merciful (Deu 13:17; Deu 30:3); of rahamm, mercies (1Ki 8:50); of , hamal, to pity, spare (Exo 2:6; 1Sa 23:21); , rahum (Psa 78:38; Psa 86:15; Psa 111:4; Psa 112:4; Psa 145:8), is rendered by the American Standard Revised Version merciful. We have , splagchnzomai, to have the bowels yearning, in Mat 9:36; Mat 14:14, etc.; sumpatheo (Heb 10:34), to suffer with (another); sumpathes (1Pe 3:8, the Revised Version (British and American) compassionate, margin, Greek, sympathetic); metriopatheo (Heb 5:2, the Revised Version (British and American) who can bear gently with); eleeo, to show mildness, kindness (Mat 18:33; Mar 5:19; Jud 1:22, the Revised Version (British and American) mercy); oiktero, to have pity or mercy (Rom 9:15 bis).
Both raham and splagchnizomai are examples of the physical origin of spiritual terms, the bowels being regarded as the seat of the warm, tender emotions or feelings. But, while raham applied to the lower viscera as well as the higher, splagchnon denoted chiefly the higher viscera, the heart, lungs, liver.
The Revised Version (British and American) gives compassion for mercy (Isa 9:17; Isa 14:1; Isa 27:11; Isa 49:13; Jer 13:14; Jer 30:18; Dan 1:9 the King James Version tender love with; for bowels of compassion, 1Jo 3:17); for mercy (Heb 10:28); full of compassion for merciful (the American Standard Revised Version merciful in all cases) (Ex Exo 34:6; Neh 9:17; Psa 103:8; Joe 2:13; Jon 4:2); compassions for mercies (Isa 63:15; Phi 2:1), for repentings (Hos 11:8).
Compassion, literally a feeling with and for others, is a fundamental and distinctive quality of the Biblical conception of God, and to its prominence the world owes more than words can express. (1) It lay at the foundation of Israel’s faith in Yahweh. For it was out of His compassion that He, by a marvelous act of power, delivered them from Egyptian bondage and called them to be His own people. Nothing, therefore, is more prominent in the Old Testament than the ascription of compassion, pity, mercy, etc., to God; the people may be said to have gloried in it. It is summed up in such sayings as that of the great declaration in Exo 34:6 : Yahweh – a God full of compassion (the American Standard Revised Version merciful) and gracious (compare Psa 78:38; Psa 86:15; Psa 111:4; Psa 112:4; Psa 145:8; Lam 3:22, His compassions fail not). And, because this was the character of their God, the prophets declared that compassion was an essential requirement on the part of members of the community (Hos 6:6; Mic 6:8; compare Pro 19:17). (2) In Jesus Christ, in whom God was manifest in the flesh, compassion was an outstanding feature (Mat 9:36; Mat 14:14, etc.) and He taught that it ought to be extended, not to friends and neighbors only, but to all without exception, even to enemies (Mat 5:43-48; Luk 10:30-37).
The God of the New Testament, the Father of men, is most clearly revealed as a God full of compassion. It extends to the whole human race, for which He effected not merely a temporal, but a spiritual and eternal, deliverance, giving up His own Son to the death of the cross in order to save us from the worst bondage of sin, with its consequences; seeking thereby to gain a new, wider people for Himself, still more devoted, more filled with and expressive of His own Spirit. Therefore all who know the God and Father of Christ, and who call themselves His children, must necessarily cultivate compassion and show mercy, even as he is merciful. Hence, the many apostolic injunctions to that effect (Eph 4:32; Col 3:12; Jam 1:27; 1Jo 3:17, etc.). Christianity may be said to be distinctively the religion of Compassion.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Compassion
Of God
God, Mercy of
Of Christ
Jesus, The Christ, Compassion of