Be kind and compassionate to one another …
Summary: Why does Paul tell us to be both kind and compassionate? They are very different and both are necessary, if we are to successfully share God’s love.
Someone who is kind is generally courteous, gentle, and pleasant. Such people are easy to be around. They are not abrasive or antagonistic. Kindness is being patient with other people. Compassion is something that happens in the heart. Another word often used to translate this passage into English is “tender-hearted.”
Why does Paul tell us to do both?
People can be kind without being compassionate, and they can be compassionate without being kind. Neither of these situations is loving. True love, agapē love, is both kind and compassionate.
This passage in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians could have been summed up in three words; “Love one another.” Jesus himself, gives this command to his disciples during their final Passover meal together. (John 13: 34-35) The words “kind and compassionate” both describe the meaning of love.
Just before Paul tells us to be kind and compassionate, he tells us to get rid of a whole bunch of nasty human reactions to the people around us. He says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” What’s left when we let go of those things is love for our neighbor.
The other day I witnessed a car pulling into traffic from a stop sign and another car blaring its horn because the driver thought the first car should have waited for them. The first car did nothing wrong. The offense was all in the mind of the second car. The driver of that car acted insane. Everything Paul tells us to get rid of appeared to well up in him at once.
His rage and anger were obvious as he blared his horn at them. When he pulled up next to the first car at the stop light, he slandered them repeatedly with foul language. He tried to start a brawl by pulling in front of them and slamming on his brakes. It was clear that his heart was full of malice towards them.
The drivers of the first car were retirees. A husband and wife, quietly going about their business. Their response reflected Christ, or at least the wisdom not to provoke more abuse. They patiently waited until the offensive person turned off and went another way.
In a way, they were kind. They didn’t return abuse with more abuse. I can’t speak to whether or not they were compassionate, but I was. It is hard to imagine what brings a person to a point where they are offended by imaginary slights that were never intended and don’t really exist. Was he on drugs? Had he been abused? Was his life totally in the toilet? I will probably never know, but I found myself praying that God would enter his life and heal his heart.
Application: Practice the power of both kindness and compassion.
Food for Thought: What are some things we can do to help develop a more compassionate heart within ourselves?
What are some things we can do to help develop a more compassionate heart within ourselves?
Colossians 3:12 ESV Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
I like how Paul wrote that thought. Keep Christ in the forethought of your mind. Remember that we too are human and in need of love, and that we receive the love of God and Christ through the sacrifice of Christ. That we can show the love of Christ through our words and actions. Compassionate, kind, humble, meek, and patient. These describe Jesus to a “T.”
Hebrews 4:15 ESV For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
How did Jesus accomplish this? Jesus prayed often; He knew scripture. I say this to point out that when Jesus interacted with people His heart was prepared to meet them in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. His heart was already full. He was able to move past personal slight or inconvenience and focus on God’s Will.
Matthew 5:41 ESV And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
I think there are two ways to think about that verse: take them a mile farther than where they thought they wanted to be, or take them out and back again. Either way it speaks to giving of yourself to fill a need. Help people find peace.
Matthew 9:36 ESV When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Thank you, Chris!
Well said! The better we understand these words, “compassionate, kind, humble, meek, and patient,” the better our lives will be.
07-27-2023, What are some things we can do to help develop a more compassionate heart within ourselves?
A general definition of compassion is sympathy and concern for the sufferings of others and a desire to alleviate such suffering, having mercy or being moved with sympathetic pity.
We see the source of all compassion in our bibles.
God the Father:
John 3:16, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Jesus Christ:
Matthew 14:13-14, 20:30-34, Mark 6:34, Jesus had compassion on them, touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight, Jesus had compassion on them and healed their sick, Jesus had compassion on them so he began teaching them many things
Luke 23:34, On the cross, Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
Dedicate our lives to time with our Lord as we study and apply His word to our lives, and allow Him to serve others through each of us as we grow in Him..
Feel like a real Nimrod,
Please add,
The Holy Spirit:
Romans 15:13, Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
So Ron …
You think that having more Jesus in us will make us more compassionate???
I think so, too! 🙂
Focus on what the kindness and compassion of Christ did for us. We can focus on the cross and our own need for a Savior that was kindly and compassionately provided for each of us.
Romans 2: 4
Amen!