Sympathy is the ability to feel or express pity or compassion for another. Being a combination of two Greek words (syn - "together" and pathos - "feeling") the word literally means "to feel with." It carries with it the idea of putting ourselves in the place of another and feeling as they feel.
Sympathy is a much needed virtue, but it is missing from the hearts and lives of some Christians. Let's consider some specific individuals who are in need of our sympathy and how we can express this sympathy towards them.
1. Those who have lost a loved one. Paul tells us to "weep with those who weep" (Rom. 12:15). The most obvious category of those who are weeping are those who are experiencing the pain and sorrow of losing a loved one. Jesus showed sympathy for those who were mourning such a loss. He "wept" with those who were mourning the death of Lazarus (John 11:35) and had compassion on a mother who had lost her son (Luke 7:13).
Some will confess that they do not know what to say to those who have lost a loved one. It is hard to know what to say, but the truth is that you don't really have to say anything. Just being there for them is an expression of your love and concern. Job's friends comforted him by traveling to him, weeping with him, and sitting quietly with him (Job 2:11-13). It is important to remember that sympathy and comfort will need to be continued in the weeks and months following such a loss.
2. Those who are lonely. This world is filled with people who are lonely. While there are some people who prefer to be loners, others would love to have a circle of friends with whom to share their lives, but have not been able to develop such friendships. Unfortunately, such people sometimes get lost in the crowd and fall through the cracks. We need to get to know the members of the local church and make sure no one among us is "feeling alone" in our assemblies. We need to learn how to be friends to people.
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; but how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken" (Eccl. 4:9-12).
3. Those who are sick. Sickness is a constant problem in this world. Illness and injury affect all people, and such people are deserving of our sympathy. While doctors, hospitals and nursing care provide for many needs, there are other ways we can help those who are sick or recovering. Perhaps they need someone to sit with them, prepare food for them or their family, clean their house, take them to appointments or help them rehabilitate. We can give them a quick visit (Matt. 25:36) and pray with them and their loved ones (James 5:15).
4. Those who are in financial need. While we are quick to quote 2 Thessalonians 3:10, "If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat," there are times when good people need financial help. Such people need sympathy... and help!
"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble..." (James 1:27). Many commentators have correctly pointed out that the word "visit" in this passage means more than making a social call. It means to care for or supply the needs of those who are in trouble or distress. In the First Century, "orphans and widows" often did not have people who were caring for them financially. The exercise of "pure and undefiled religion" will help to meet the needs of those who are experiencing trouble.
Jesus said we are to do good for those who are poor (Mark 14:7) and Paul wrote, "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need" (Eph. 4:28).
5. Those who are in sin. While we often have sympathy towards those who are suffering physically and emotionally, how often are we moved with the same sympathy towards those who are struggling with sin? The Lord did not dismiss and avoid those who were struggling in sin. When criticized for associating with sinners, Jesus proclaimed that those who are sick are in need of a physician (Matt. 9:9-13).
We are to have sympathy for those who are in religious error. Consider Paul's instructions to Timothy: "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will" (2 Tim. 2:24-26, emphasis mine - HR).
We must have sympathy for our brethren who have wandered away in sin. "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted" (Gal. 6:1). "Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:19-20). If we don't help them, who will? Also, we must show sympathy when they return to the Lord. Paul instructed the Corinthians how to properly treat a repenting brother: "So that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him" (2 Cor. 2:7-8).
Conclusion: It is important that we develop the ability and desire to show sympathy towards others. The reason is because this virtue has first been shown to us by God, and as such He expects us to show it towards others (Matt. 18:33; 1 John 4:10-11).