Scriptures for Empathy
We’ve recently been discussing empathy…the decline of empathy in the present culture, the importance of empathy and how it’s integral to our relationships, examples of how both God and Jesus have empathy, defining what empathy is, some of the reasons for using empathy, some examples in scripture of using empathy, and learning how to have and improve empathy. To further enhance those discussions, I’ve put together this resource page of scriptures for empathy.
This list of scriptures for empathy provides a compilation of verses about various facets or components of empathy.
Sharing others’ emotions
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” 1 Corinthians 12:26 (NIV)
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Romans 12:15 (NIV)
“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (NLT)
“When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NLT)
“Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.” Philippians 4:14 (NLT)
Showing compassion
“You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” Luke 6:36 (NLT)
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.” Philippians 2:1-2 (NLT)
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” 1 Peter 3:8 (NIV)
Comforting, encouraging, and building up others
“Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (AMP)
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
Showing empathy with kindness and gentleness (more scriptures on kindness here)
“Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you.” Proverbs 11:17 (NLT)
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
“Kindness makes a man attractive.” Proverbs 19:22a (TLB)
“Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.” 2 Timothy 2:25
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
Genuinely listen to others
“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” James 1:19 (NLT)
“To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.” Proverbs 18:13 (NIV)
“Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.” Proverbs 18:2 (NLT)
Think before speaking
“The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.” Proverbs 15:28 (NLT)
“The lips of the godly speak helpful words, but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words.” Proverbs 10:32 (NLT)
“A wise person’s heart controls his speech, and what he says helps others learn.” Proverbs 16:23 (GWT)
Putting self-interest and perspective aside and looking out for and being considerate of others’ interests
“Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Philippians 2:2-4 (NLT)
“We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves.” Romans 15:1 (NLT)
“Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.” 1 Corinthians 10:24 (NLT)
“Just as I please everyone in all things [as much as possible adapting myself to the interests of others], not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, so that they [will be open to the message of salvation and] may be saved.” 1 Corinthians 10:33 (AMP)
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10 (NIV)
“Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.” Proverbs 18:2 (NLT)
“Do everything without complaining and arguing” Philippians 2:14 (NLT)
Loving others as God loves
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 (NLT)
“A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:39 (NLT)
“The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:31 (NLT)
“For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”” Galatians 5:14 (NLT)
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 (NLT)
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
Empathy in action
“Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].” Galatians 6:2 (AMP)
“But whoever has the world’s goods (adequate resources), and sees his brother in need, but has no compassion for him, how does the love of God live in him?” 1 John 3:17 (AMP)
“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” 1 John 3:18 (NLT)
“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” James 2:14-17 (NLT)
“But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:8 (NLT)
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35 (NIV)
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12 (NLT)
“Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” Luke 6:31 (NLT)
Warnings of a decrease in empathy
“Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.” Matthew 24:12 (NLT)
“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NLT)
“Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.” 2 Peter 3:3 (NLT)
“They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.” Jude 1:18-19 (NLT)
See scriptures examples of how both God and Jesus have empathy in this post here.
Take Some Practical Steps to Use Scriptures For Empathy:
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First, find a few scriptures for empathy that inspire you to show empathy or to grow and improve in this area.
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Then, write them on index cards or post-it notes. Post them where you can see them to help you and remind you.
For example put them on the bathroom mirror, the nightstand, on doors, over light switches, on cabinet doors, on your car console, or anywhere where you might need encouragement. You can also save them on your phone as a wallpaper or home screen for a visible reminder when you use your phone.
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Finally, consider memorizing one or more of the scriptures.
Speaking God’s Word will comfort you and encourage you.
You might also find it helpful to read these posts relevant to empathy:
Empathy…The Filter We ALL Need
Using Empathy: The Practical and the Scriptural
Be Kind and Gentle to Gain Respect
Be Kind: Put On Your Kindness Hat!
Are You Creating Unity or Division?
Make Others Feel Taller NOT Smaller
Which scriptures for empathy are most helpful for you? Share with us by leaving a comment below!
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If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward! Share this post via the sharing links below. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)
