Empathy is about understanding and sharing in the feelings of others, and the Bible encourages us to develop this quality. Through empathy, we can better reflect God’s love and compassion to those around us. Let’s explore verses that inspire us to put ourselves in others’ shoes and offer support, understanding, and kindness.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Being Mean
Bible Verses About Empathy For Others
1 Peter 3:8 – Show empathy and compassion for one another
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” – 1 Peter 3:8
Colossians 3:12 – Clothe yourselves with compassion
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” – Colossians 3:12
Romans 12:15 – Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” – Romans 12:15
Galatians 6:2 – Bear one another’s burdens
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
Philippians 2:4 – Look out for the interests of others
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:4
Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind and compassionate to one another
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Proverbs 19:17 – Show empathy to the poor
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.” – Proverbs 19:17
James 1:19 – Be quick to listen and slow to anger
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” – James 1:19
Romans 15:1 – Bear with the failings of the weak
“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” – Romans 15:1
1 John 3:17 – Show empathy through acts of love and compassion
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” – 1 John 3:17
Matthew 5:7 – Blessed are the merciful
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” – Matthew 5:7
Luke 6:31 – Treat others the way you want to be treated
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” – Luke 6:31
Hebrews 13:16 – Share with others in need
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” – Hebrews 13:16
Proverbs 14:21 – Show empathy to the poor
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.” – Proverbs 14:21
1 Corinthians 12:26 – If one suffers, all suffer together
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” – 1 Corinthians 12:26
Luke 10:33-34 – Show empathy through acts of kindness
“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. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” – Luke 10:33-34
Psalm 86:15 – God is gracious and full of compassion
“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” – Psalm 86:15
Proverbs 21:13 – Showing empathy to the poor is pleasing to God
“Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.” – Proverbs 21:13
Isaiah 58:10 – Share your food with the hungry
“And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” – Isaiah 58:10
Matthew 25:40 – Whatever you do for the least, you do for Christ
“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.”” – Matthew 25:40
Isaiah 58:7 – Share your provisions with the hungry
“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?” – Isaiah 58:7
Luke 10:27 – Love your neighbor as yourself
“He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’’” – Luke 10:27
Matthew 7:12 – Treat others the way you want to be treated
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12
Philippians 2:3 – Consider others more important than yourself
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
Matthew 14:14 – Jesus had compassion and healed the sick
“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” – Matthew 14:14
Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – Encourage and build up one another
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Proverbs 3:27 – Do not withhold good from those who deserve it
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.” – Proverbs 3:27
John 13:34 – Love one another as Jesus loved us
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34
Proverbs 19:1 – Showing empathy to the poor is lending to the LORD
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.” – Proverbs 19:17
Hebrews 10:24 – Consider how to stir up love and good works
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24
Galatians 5:22-23 – The fruit of the Spirit includes kindness and gentleness
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23
Acts 20:35 – It is more blessed to give than to receive
“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
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 – God comforts us so we can comfort others
“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
Luke 6:36 – Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful
“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” – Luke 6:36
Proverbs 11:17 – Show empathy and kindness to others
“Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.” – Proverbs 11:17
Matthew 6:14-15 – Forgive others so that you may be forgiven
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:14-15
Psalm 103:13 – As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on us
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.” – Psalm 103:13
1 Peter 5:7 – Cast all your anxieties on God because He cares for you
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
Matthew 10:8 – Freely you have received, freely give
“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.” – Matthew 10:8
Proverbs 22:9 – Show empathy to the generous, for they share their bread with the poor
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” – Proverbs 22:9
Leviticus 19:18 – Love your neighbor as yourself
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” – Leviticus 19:18