Study of Romans 12 – Verse 15

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15 NKJV)

    This simply-stated verse tells us that compassion is a needed characteristic for members of the body of Christ.

    Compassion is not just a feeling of pity for a person and their situation; it involves empathy. Where sympathy understands the emotion felt by another, empathy experiences the emotion alongside the other person. Sympathy may stand a bit apart and offer the expected words for the occasion, but empathy sits down with those hurting and offers comfort and help through action – it walks the rough road with them – and rejoices with the other when resolution is found and when strength is renewed.

Rejoice (Strong’s Greek #5463 ‘chairo’) means be glad, be joyful

Weep (Strong’s Greek #2799 ‘klaio’) means to cry, to mourn. It is an emotional outpouring due to either personal grief or compassion for others.

    Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be involved. Help them lift the load and be diligent in your desire to help carry the burden down the road (Galatians 6:2), however long the road may be. Let your love be in deed (action) and in truth (sincerity, 1 John 3:18).

“…there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it.” (1 Corinthians 12:25-26 NKJV)

    The body of Christ needs deep connection among its members, not arm’s length understanding and empty words spoken in the moment; a congregation of believers needs to be there for each other to help carry the burden – weep with those who weep – walking the road together, so that when a time for rejoicing comes, you can heartily rejoice with each other! 

    Be a bondservant (a servant who chooses to stay and serve, Deuteronomy 15:12-18) – bonded first to God, and then to each other for His sake – because “a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12)! Take the time to sit together, pray together, study together, stand together, encourage each other, and praise God for His blessed provisions throughout it all!

    Are you ready to be a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) and give of your time so you can walk alongside your brethren in their troubles and their triumphs?

You can do it! So can I!!