εὔσπλαγχνος (eusplagchnos)
eusplagchnos
compassionate
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek adjective eusplagchnos describes a person who is tenderhearted or compassionate. It combines a word for "good" with a term for the inner organs, specifically the bowels or heart, which ancient writers viewed as the seat of deep emotion. This literal connection highlights that compassion is not merely an intellectual decision but a visceral, gut-level response to the suffering of others.
In the New Testament, this word appears only twice, in Ephesians 4:32 and 1 Peter 3:8. In both instances, it serves as a key characteristic for Christian community life. Paul urges believers to be kind and forgiving, while Peter lists it alongside humility and love as essential traits for those living together in unity.
Translators typically render eusplagchnos as "compassionate" or "tenderhearted." The choice of these terms captures the warmth and empathy inherent in the original Greek. By using this specific vocabulary, the biblical authors emphasize that true mercy involves a deep, personal sensitivity to the needs of fellow believers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word eusplagchnos points to a compassion that goes beyond polite sympathy. It describes a gut-level response to the pain of others, rooted in the deep inner organs where ancient writers believed true emotion lived. This means Christian kindness is not just an intellectual choice or a social duty. It is a visceral sensitivity to the needs of those around us.
In Ephesians 4:32 and 1 Peter 3:8, this trait is central to how believers live together. Paul and Peter urge us to be tenderhearted because God has shown such mercy to us in Christ. When we respond to others with this deep empathy, we reflect the character of our Father. It invites us to see suffering not as a distant problem, but as something that touches our own hearts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- tender-hearted,2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- εὔσπλαγχνοι,2×
Key Verses
-
Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
Paul links this visceral compassion directly to the forgiveness believers have received from God in Christ.
-
I Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you be like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous,
Peter places tenderheartedness alongside being like-minded as a foundation for unity within the Christian community.