“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Bible Verses About Empathy for Others
Understanding Others’ Pain
Romans 12:15
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
Hebrews 13:3
“Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”
1 Peter 3:8
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”
Galatians 6:2
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Philippians 2:4
“Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Colossians 3:12
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
James 1:27
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Luke 6:36
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Job 30:25
“Did not I weep for those in trouble? Was not my soul grieved for the needy?”
Showing Love and Kindness
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Matthew 22:39
“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
1 John 3:18
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
Romans 13:10
“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
Luke 10:33-34
“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine.”
Galatians 5:13
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
Proverbs 21:21
“Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor.”
Practicing Active Compassion
Matthew 9:36
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Mark 1:41
“Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.”
Luke 10:30-31
“In reply Jesus said: ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers…'”
Acts 20:35
“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.’”
1 John 4:20
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”
Matthew 7:12
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Luke 6:31
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Titus 3:2
“To slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.”
Romans 15:1
“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.”
Matthew 25:45
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”
The Importance of Listening
James 1:19
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
Proverbs 18:13
“To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.”
Proverbs 12:15
“The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.”
Ecclesiastes 3:7
“A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak.”
Colossians 4:6
“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
Proverbs 15:22
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
Proverbs 1:5
“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.”
Proverbs 16:21
“The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.”
Psalm 32:8
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
Job 12:11
“Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?”
Responding to Needs
Isaiah 58:7
“Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”
Proverbs 31:20
“She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.”
Matthew 7:11
“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
2 Corinthians 9:7
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Proverbs 22:9
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
Lamentations 3:32-33
“Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.”
Matthew 6:3-4
“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Isaiah 61:1
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”
Luke 14:13
“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
James 2:14
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?”
Building Community
Acts 2:44
“All the believers were together and had everything in common.”
Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
1 Corinthians 12:26
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
Romans 12:10
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Galatians 6:10
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
1 Corinthians 1:10
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”
Philippians 1:27
“Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absent, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.”
Colossians 3:14
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
Ephesians 2:19
“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.”
Final Thoughts
Understanding empathy for others is essential in our walk with Christ. The virtues of kindness, compassion, and love guide us to respond to those in need. As we learn from these scriptures, we are reminded how critical it is to support, listen, and care for one another. We all have the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life through our actions.
In striving to embody these teachings, we reflect God’s love in our communities. This carries the responsibility to uplift those around us and listen when someone needs our help. As we work together, we realize that we are stronger and can be a beacon of hope for others.
If you want to explore more teachings, consider checking out these bible verses about communicating with each other and bible verses about perspective. Together, we can grow in our faith and understanding.