The Greek word eúsplanchnos, represented by G2155, means to be well compassioned or sympathetic. It appears 2 times in 2 unique verses in the Bible and is translated as pitiful or tender-hearted. The term is derived from εὖ (well) and σπλάγχνον, referring to the inward parts, signifying a deep, internal compassion.
In its biblical usage, G2155 describes a core Christian virtue. In Ephesians, believers are commanded to be "kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" Ephesians 4:32. Here, a tender heart is presented as the foundation for granting forgiveness within the community. In 1 Peter 3:8, the word, translated as pitiful, is included in a list of unifying characteristics for believers: "be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous."
Several related words help clarify the meaning of G2155 by appearing alongside it in scripture:
- G5543 chrēstós (kind): This word means useful, gracious, or kind. It is used directly before tenderhearted in Ephesians 4:32, indicating that kindness is an outward expression of this inner compassion.
- G5483 charízomai (forgiving): Defined as to grant as a favor, pardon, or forgive, this action is presented as the direct outcome of being tenderhearted Ephesians 4:32.
- G4835 sympathḗs (having compassion one of another): Meaning to have a fellow-feeling or be mutually commiserative, this term appears with pitiful in 1 Peter 3:8, highlighting a shared emotional and sympathetic bond.
- G5361 philádelphos (love as brethren): This term for being fond of brethren, or fraternal, is also listed in 1 Peter 3:8, connecting the quality of being pitiful with brotherly love in the church.
The theological importance of G2155 is demonstrated in its direct application to the life of a believer.
- A Mandated Virtue: Both occurrences of eúsplanchnos are part of a direct command to believers, establishing it not as an optional feeling but as a required element of Christian character (Ephesians 4:32, 1 Peter 3:8).
- Foundation for Forgiveness: The word is explicitly linked to the act of forgiveness. Ephesians 4:32 shows that a tenderhearted disposition is what enables believers to forgive one another.
- Reflection of God's Character: The call to be tenderhearted is modeled after God Himself. The basis for forgiving others is that "God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" Ephesians 4:32, framing human compassion as an imitation of divine grace.
In summary, G2155 is not merely a word for sympathy but a key descriptor of a transformed heart. It is a foundational virtue that is paired with kindness, brotherly love, and compassion. As seen in scripture, being tender-hearted or pitiful is a required Christian characteristic that enables forgiveness and reflects the compassionate nature of God toward humanity.
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