What is sympathy?

2 Samuel 10:2David said, “I am going to show loyalty to Hanun just as his father, Nahash, was always loyal to me.” So David sent ambassadors to express sympathy to Hanun about his father’s death.

Job 2:11When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite.

Job 16:4-5“I could say the same things if you were in my place. I could spout off criticism and shake my head at you. But if it were me, I would encourage you. I would try to take away your grief.”

Job 30:25“Did I not weep for those in trouble? Was I not deeply grieved for the needy?”

Ecclesiastes 4:10If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

Isaiah 58:7Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help.

John 11:18-19Bethany was only a few miles down the road from Jerusalem, and many of the people had come to console Martha and Mary in their loss.

Romans 12:15Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.

1 Corinthians 12:26If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.

Galatians 6:2Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Hebrews 13:3Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

Showing sympathy for others involves putting ourselves in their shoes. We allow whatever affects them to affect us; whatever they feel, we also come to feel. This enables us to show compassion toward others when they are hurting and to rejoice with them when they are happy.