### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek verb συμπαθέω (sympathéō, `{{G4834}}`) is a compound word derived from σύν (syn), meaning "with" or "together," and πάθος (pathos), meaning "suffering," "emotion," or "experience." Its core meaning is to "suffer with," "feel with," or "experience together." The semantic range of συμπαθέω extends from a general sense of sharing an emotion or experience to a more profound and active commiseration. It implies an empathetic connection, not merely an intellectual understanding of another's state, but an emotional resonance and solidarity. The English term "sympathy" directly derives from this Greek root, encapsulating the idea of feeling alongside another.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The verb συμπαθέω appears only twice in the New Testament, both times in the Epistle to the Hebrews, highlighting its specific theological significance within this book's Christology and exhortations to the community.
1. **[[Hebrews 4:15]]**: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathéō with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin."
* **Context:** This verse is central to the author's argument for the superiority and efficacy of Jesus' high priesthood. The ability of Jesus to sympathéō with human weaknesses is presented as a crucial qualification. His shared humanity, specifically His experience of temptation, allows Him to genuinely "feel with" or "be touched with a feeling of" our struggles. This is not a detached, intellectual understanding, but an intimate, lived experience. The implication is that because Jesus Himself underwent the trials of human existence, He can offer perfect understanding, compassion, and intercession for those who are struggling. This truth provides immense comfort and confidence for believers approaching God's throne of grace.
2. **[[Hebrews 10:34]]**: "For you had sympathéō with those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one."
* **Context:** Here, συμπαθέω describes the actions of the early Christian community addressed by the author. Their sympathéō for those imprisoned (likely for their faith) was not passive pity but led to active solidarity. They shared in the suffering of their persecuted brethren, even to the point of accepting personal loss (plundering of property) with joy, due to their eschatological hope. This demonstrates the practical, active dimension of sympathéō – it moves from internal feeling to external, costly action, embodying the call to bear one another's burdens.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **συμπαθής (sympathēs, `{{G4835}}`):** The adjective form, meaning "sympathetic" or "fellow-feeling." It appears in [[1 Peter 3:8]], where believers are exhorted to be "sympathetic" (sympatheis) towards one another, alongside other virtues like brotherly love and compassion. This reinforces the idea of shared feeling as a foundational aspect of Christian community.
* **πάσχω (paschō, `{{G3958}}`):** The root verb for "to suffer" or "to experience." This connection highlights that συμπαθέω is about sharing in the *experience* or *suffering* of another, not just observing it.
* **σπλαγχνίζομαι (splagchnizomai, `{{G4697}}`):** To be moved with compassion, often a visceral, gut-level pity. While related in expressing compassion, σπλαγχνίζομαι often emphasizes a profound, almost overwhelming pity for someone in distress (frequently used of Jesus' compassion for the crowds or individuals), whereas συμπαθέω emphasizes the shared experience and feeling *with* someone.
* **ἐλεέω (eleeō, `{{G1653}}`):** To have mercy, to show pity. This term often focuses on the *act* of showing kindness or aid stemming from compassion, rather than primarily the shared feeling itself.
* **Solidarity:** The concept of συμπαθέω is deeply intertwined with the theological and ethical concept of solidarity, where individuals or groups stand together, share burdens, and actively support one another, particularly in times of adversity.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of συμπαθέω is profound, particularly in its application to Christ and the Christian community.
1. **The Incarnational Empathy of Christ:** The most significant theological insight comes from [[Hebrews 4:15]]. It underscores the vital importance of the Incarnation. Because Jesus truly became human, experiencing the full range of human temptation and weakness (though without sin), He is uniquely qualified to be a compassionate and understanding High Priest. His sympathéō is not theoretical but deeply experiential, providing absolute assurance that our prayers, struggles, and weaknesses are met with perfect understanding and empathetic intercession. This truth is foundational for Christian confidence in approaching God's throne of grace, knowing that our advocate fully comprehends our plight.
2. **The Nature of Christian Community:** [[Hebrews 10:34]] illustrates that συμπαθέω is also a characteristic expected of believers. It calls for active empathy and solidarity within the body of Christ. Members are not merely to pity one another but to genuinely "feel with" and share in each other's joys and sorrows, especially during persecution or hardship. This active sympathéō is crucial for the unity, resilience, and mutual support of the church, reflecting the New Testament's consistent call for believers to bear one another's burdens and suffer alongside their brethren.
3. **Foundation for Divine Mercy and Grace:** The divine sympathéō of Christ is the bedrock upon which God's mercy and grace are extended to humanity. Because He intimately understands our frailties and temptations, His intercession is perfectly attuned to our needs, enabling us to "receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" [[Hebrews 4:16]]. It highlights a God who is not distant or indifferent, but one who has personally entered into the human condition and understands its depths.
### Summary
συμπαθέω (sympathéō, `{{G4834}}`) is a potent Greek verb signifying a deep, experiential "feeling with" another, extending beyond mere pity to genuine commiseration and shared suffering. Its two New Testament occurrences, both in Hebrews, offer profound theological insights. In [[Hebrews 4:15]], it reveals Christ's perfect, incarnational empathy as our High Priest, who, having been tempted in every way, truly understands our weaknesses, thereby providing the basis for His compassionate intercession. In [[Hebrews 10:34]], it describes the active solidarity and shared burden of early Christians towards those suffering persecution, demonstrating that sympathéō is not just an internal feeling but a call to practical, sacrificial love within the community. This word underscores both the divine understanding of human frailty and the imperative for empathetic unity among believers, forming a cornerstone of Christian compassion and intercession.
TRV