οἰκτιρμός (oiktirmos)
oiktirmos
compassion
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun oiktirmos refers to a deep, visceral pity or compassion that moves a person to act. It describes an internal emotional response to suffering, often translated as "mercy" or "pity." The word carries the weight of genuine sympathy rather than distant charity, capturing the feeling of being moved by another’s distress.
Its etymology links it directly to the verb oiktireō, meaning "to pity," which itself derives from a root associated with the bowels or inner organs. In ancient thought, these were seen as the seat of deep emotion. This physical connection explains why Paul uses the phrase "bowels of mercies" (splagchna oiktirmou) in Colossians 3:12 and Philippians 2:1 to describe the Christian character.
While often used in the singular, the word frequently appears in the plural in the Septuagint to translate the Hebrew rachamim, emphasizing God’s abundant, overflowing compassion. In the New Testament, it highlights the source of divine comfort, as seen when Paul calls God the "Father of mercies" (2 Corinthians 1:3). Translators typically render it as "compassion" or "mercy," preserving the sense of heartfelt empathy that defines its biblical usage.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word oiktirmos describes a compassion that is deeply felt, almost physically visceral. It is not a distant pity but an internal stirring that moves us to act on behalf of those who suffer. This understanding reminds us that true empathy involves the whole person, engaging our deepest emotions rather than offering only superficial help.
In our daily lives, this word invites us to mirror the character of God, who is described as the 'Father of mercies' in 2 Corinthians 1:3. When we encounter others in distress, we are called to respond with genuine sympathy that seeks to comfort and restore. This kind of compassion reflects the heart of Christ, who was moved by the needs of those around Him.
As you navigate your relationships this week, consider how you might embody this deep, active love. Let your actions flow from a place of heartfelt concern for others, just as God’s mercy flows toward us. May you find strength in knowing that you are loved with this same profound compassion.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of compassions1×
- of compassion,1×
- mercies1×
- compassions,1×
- compassions1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- οἰκτιρμῶν3×
- οἰκτιρμοῦ,1×
- οἰκτιρμοί,1×
Key Verses
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II Corinthians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
This verse identifies God as the 'Father of mercies,' establishing oiktirmos as the fundamental nature of His character and the source of all comfort for believers.
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Colossians 3:12
Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;
Paul instructs believers to actively 'put on' a heart of compassion, treating it as essential clothing that reflects their identity as God’s chosen ones.
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Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
Here, the plural form refers to the collective acts of mercy God has shown, serving as the logical basis for offering our lives as living sacrifices in response.