Romans 12:15

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Rejoice {G5463} with {G3326} them that do rejoice {G5463}, and {G2532} weep {G2799} with {G3326} them that weep {G2799}.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.

Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep.

Romans 12:15 is a concise yet profound instruction from the Apostle Paul, encapsulating a vital aspect of genuine Christian love (agape) and community. It calls believers to a deep, active form of empathy, sharing in both the joys and sorrows of others within the body of Christ.

Context

This verse is situated within Romans 12:9-21, a section of Paul's letter to the church in Rome that shifts from profound theological exposition (Romans 1-11) to practical exhortations for Christian living. After urging believers to present their bodies as a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1), Paul outlines various marks of a transformed life, including the proper use of spiritual gifts, humility, and expressions of sincere love. Verse 15 specifically addresses how believers should interact emotionally with one another, fostering unity and mutual support in the early Christian community.

Key Themes

  • Active Empathy and Sympathy: The primary message is to actively participate in the emotional experiences of others. This is not merely intellectual understanding but a willingness to feel with them, whether in their triumphs or their tribulations.
  • Community and Unity: By sharing in each other's emotions, believers strengthen their bonds and foster a sense of belonging and solidarity. This mutual bearing of burdens and joys helps to build up the body of Christ, as emphasized in passages like 1 Corinthians 12:26: "And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it."
  • Genuine Love: This command is a practical demonstration of the selfless, unconditional love that Paul has been describing. It moves beyond mere sentiment to tangible action and emotional connection.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek verbs used are synchairō (to rejoice with) and synklaiō (to weep with). The prefix syn- (or sym- before a 'p' or 'b') literally means "with" or "together." This linguistic emphasis underscores the communal nature of the command – it's about shared experience, not just observation. It calls for an emotional fusion, a deep connection that transcends individual circumstances.

Practical Application

For Christians today, Romans 12:15 provides a timeless blueprint for authentic relationships and a thriving church community:

  • Celebrate Others' Successes: It challenges us to genuinely rejoice in the blessings and achievements of others, free from envy or competition.
  • Be Present in Suffering: It calls us to be present and compassionate when others are hurting, offering comfort, listening ears, and practical support without judgment or cliché. This mirrors the example of Jesus weeping with Mary and Martha at Lazarus's tomb.
  • Build Stronger Bonds: Practicing this empathy cultivates deeper trust and strengthens the fabric of Christian fellowship, enabling believers to bear one another's burdens more effectively.

In essence, this verse encourages believers to live out their faith by actively engaging with the full spectrum of human emotions, reflecting the compassionate heart of Christ to a world in need of genuine connection and understanding.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:26

    And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

  • Hebrews 13:3

    Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; [and] them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

  • Psalms 35:13

    But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing [was] sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.

  • Psalms 35:14

    I behaved myself as though [he had been] my friend [or] brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth [for his] mother.

  • John 11:33

    ¶ When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

  • John 11:36

    Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

  • Job 30:25

    Did not I weep for him that was in trouble? was [not] my soul grieved for the poor?

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