Definition and Meaning:
To sympathize means to share in the feelings or experiences of another, particularly in times of suffering or distress. It involves understanding, compassion, and a desire to provide comfort and support. In the biblical context, sympathy is an expression of love and unity within the body of Christ.

Biblical References and Examples:

1. Jesus as the Sympathetic High Priest:
The ultimate example of sympathy in the Bible is found in Jesus Christ, who is described as our High Priest. Hebrews 4:15 states, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin." This passage highlights Jesus' ability to understand human frailty and suffering, having experienced temptation and hardship Himself.

2. Bearing One Another's Burdens:
The Apostle Paul encourages believers to sympathize with one another by bearing each other's burdens. Galatians 6:2 instructs, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This directive emphasizes the importance of empathy and support within the Christian community, reflecting the love of Christ.

3. Rejoicing and Mourning Together:
Romans 12:15 calls believers to "Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep." This verse underscores the call to share in both the joys and sorrows of others, demonstrating a deep sense of empathy and connection within the body of Christ.

4. Compassion as a Christian Virtue:
Sympathy is closely related to compassion, a key Christian virtue. Colossians 3:12 exhorts believers, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Compassionate sympathy is a reflection of the character of Christ and a vital aspect of Christian living.

5. The Good Samaritan:
The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) illustrates the practical application of sympathy. The Samaritan's actions demonstrate true sympathy as he tends to the wounds of a stranger, showing mercy and compassion without regard for social or ethnic boundaries.

Theological Significance:

Sympathy is an essential aspect of Christian love and community. It reflects the heart of God, who is described as compassionate and gracious (Psalm 103:8). Through sympathy, believers are called to mirror the love and empathy of Christ, fostering unity and support within the church. Sympathy is not merely an emotional response but an active engagement in the lives of others, seeking to alleviate suffering and promote healing.

Practical Application:

Christians are encouraged to cultivate a sympathetic heart by being attentive to the needs and struggles of those around them. This can be achieved through active listening, offering prayer and support, and being present in times of need. By embodying the sympathy of Christ, believers can be a source of comfort and strength to others, fulfilling the law of love that Jesus exemplified.1. (v. i.) To feel in consequence of what another feels; to be affected by feelings similar to those of another, in consequence of knowing the person to be thus affected.

2. (v. i.) To have a common feeling, as of bodily pleasure or pain.

3. (v. i.) To agree; to be in accord; to harmonize.

4. (v. t.) To experience together.

5. (v. t.) To answer to; to correspond to.

4834. sumpatheo -- to have a fellow feeling with, ie sympathize ...
... to have a fellow feeling with, ie sympathize with. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
sumpatheo Phonetic Spelling: (soom-path-eh'-o) Short Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4834.htm - 6k

4841. sumpascho -- to suffer with
... Verb Transliteration: sumpascho Phonetic Spelling: (soom-pas'-kho) Short Definition:
I suffer together with Definition: I suffer together with, sympathize. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4841.htm - 6k

4944. sunodino -- to be in travail together
... From sun and odino; to have (parturition) pangs in company (concert, simultaneously)
with, ie (figuratively) to sympathize (in expectation of relief from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4944.htm - 6k

4796. sugchairo -- to rejoice with
... rejoice with. From sun and chairo; to sympathize in gladness, congratulate -- rejoice
in (with). see GREEK sun. see GREEK chairo. (sunchairei) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4796.htm - 7k

5110. nud -- to move to and fro, wander, flutter, show grief
... Usage console (1), consoled (1), drive away (1), flee (2), flitting (1), grieve
(1), grieving (1), mourn (4), shake (2), shaken (1), sympathize (1), sympathy (1 ...
/hebrew/5110.htm - 6k

For those who First, when the Persecution Waxed Warm...
... For to sympathize with the sorrow and affliction of those who sorrow and mourn for
those who in the contest have been overcome by the great strength of the evil ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon xi for those who.htm

The Answer Concerning the Trampling Down of Shame, and the Danger ...
... human weakness, turn the assault from the young man upon the old one, that he may
learn to condescend to the weakness of sufferers, and to sympathize even in ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xiii the answer concerning 2.htm

Letter xi (Circa AD 1120) the Abbot of Saint Nicasius at Rheims
... to patience. 1. How much I sympathize with your trouble only He knows
who bore the griefs of all in His own body. How willingly ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter xi circa a d 1120.htm

There is one Thing at Least of which There is Never So Much as A.. ...
... does it appear at all? Is the child taught to sympathize at all with his
father's admirable cheerfulness and slang? I do not expect ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 40 there is one.htm

The Perat?? Derive their System from the Astrologers; this Proved ...
... And (their doctrine is), that as in the same way as in a man, the subjacent parts
sympathize with the head, and the head likewise sympathizes with the ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter viii the peratae derive their.htm

Virtue must Never be Given up for the Sake of a Friend. ...
... support? Let us aid by giving counsel, let us offer our best endeavours,
let us sympathize with them with all our heart. 129. If ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxii virtue must never.htm

To the Romans
... Sympathize with me, my brothers! ... If anyone has Him in him, let him appreciate what
I am longing for, and sympathize with me, realizing what I am going through. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/to the romans.htm

The Gospel of Luke
... Should it be asked further: But does not this rob the Saviour of the capacity to
sympathize with me when I am tempted? The answer is, A thousand times No! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/the gospel of luke.htm

The Betrayal
... Moreover, we feel persuaded that by thus suffering at the hand of a traitor the
Lord became a faithful High Priest, able to sympathize with us when we fall ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the betrayal.htm

Special Practices of Uniformity.
... It often happens that some, on the occasion of a slight illness, or even a slight
indisposition, want the whole world to stand still and sympathize with them ...
/.../de liguori/uniformity with gods will/5 special practices of uniformity.htm

Sympathize (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To experience together. 5. (vt) To answer to; to correspond to.
Multi-Version Concordance Sympathize (3 Occurrences). Hebrews ...
/s/sympathize.htm - 7k

Ascension (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 9:5); He makes intercession for His people (Romans 8:26 Hebrews 7:25); He is
able to succor the tempted (Hebrews 2:18); He is able to sympathize (Hebrews 4 ...
/a/ascension.htm - 34k

Zophar (4 Occurrences)
... from his own place: Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite,
and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him ...
/z/zophar.htm - 10k

Kindhearted (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Peter 3:8 In conclusion, all of you should be of one mind, quick to sympathize,
kind to the brethren, tenderhearted, lowly-minded, (See NAS). ...
/k/kindhearted.htm - 6k

Naamathite (4 Occurrences)
... from his own place: Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite,
and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him ...
/n/naamathite.htm - 8k

Job's (11 Occurrences)
... from his own place: Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite,
and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him ...
/j/job's.htm - 9k

Lowly-minded (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Peter 3:8 In conclusion, all of you should be of one mind, quick to sympathize,
kind to the brethren, tenderhearted, lowly-minded, (WEY). ...
/l/lowly-minded.htm - 6k

Gentiles (150 Occurrences)
... The Gentile stranger enjoyed the hospitality of the Israelite who was commanded
to love him (Deuteronomy 10:19), to sympathize with him, "For ye know the heart ...
/g/gentiles.htm - 45k

Temanite (8 Occurrences)
... from his own place: Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite,
and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him ...
/t/temanite.htm - 8k

Bildad (5 Occurrences)
... from his own place: Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite,
and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him ...
/b/bildad.htm - 11k

Why is the humanity of Jesus important? | GotQuestions.org

What was the meaning and purpose of Jesus' temptations? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Tamar in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Sympathize: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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