The Greek word oikteírō, represented by G3627, means to exercise pity or to have compassion on someone. According to its base definition, it is derived from a word meaning pity. It is a very specific term, appearing only 2 times within 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, making its single context highly significant.
The sole appearance of G3627 is in Romans 9:15, where the Apostle Paul quotes God's words to Moses. The verse states, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." In this passage, G3627 is used twice to emphasize God's sovereign and absolute prerogative in showing compassion. It is not an action prompted by external merit but an expression of God's own will.
The context of G3627 directly links it to a closely related term:
- G1653 eleéō: This word means "to compassionate (by word or deed, specially, by divine grace)." It is used for showing mercy and is often paired with G3627. In Romans 9:15, God's declaration "I will have mercy" uses G1653, immediately before He says "I will have compassion" with G3627. This parallel structure highlights two facets of the same divine attribute. The broader use of G1653 is seen in pleas for help, such as when two blind men cry out, "have mercy on us" Matthew 9:27.
The theological weight of G3627 is concentrated in its single, powerful usage.
- Divine Sovereignty: The primary point of its use in Romans 9:15 is to establish that God's compassion is not earned or owed. It is an extension of His sovereign will, a truth reinforced by the next verse, which states that salvation "is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy" Romans 9:16.
- A Statement of Character: By using both eleéō (mercy) and oikteírō (compassion), the passage portrays a complete picture of God's nature. His mercy is not a cold, legal action but is accompanied by a deep, personal pity or compassion for its object.
- Foundation of Grace: This declaration to Moses forms a foundational Old Testament principle for understanding New Testament grace. Paul uses it to explain that God's choice is the ultimate basis for salvation, demonstrated through His unmerited compassion.
In summary, G3627 oikteírō is a rare word whose significance is amplified by its specific context. Its appearance in Romans 9:15 serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of God. It defines divine compassion as a sovereign choice, independent of human action, and forms a critical part of the biblical argument for God's absolute freedom in granting mercy and grace.
TRV