"compassion; kindness, in relieving sorrow and want, Phil. 2:1; Col. 3:12; Heb. 10:28; favor, grace, mercy, Rom. 12:1; 2 Cor. 1:3*"
Definition and meaning
compassion; kindness, in relieving sorrow and want, Phil. 2:1; Col. 3:12; Heb. 10:28; favor, grace, mercy, Rom. 12:1; 2 Cor. 1:3*
In the original Greek the word is written: οἰκτιρμός
Historical context
Paul wrote Romans from Corinth, one of the most important commercial cities in the empire. Rome had a Jewish population of around 50,000. The letter addresses real tensions between Jewish believers with centuries of Torah tradition and Gentile believers with no such background. Emperor Nero was on the throne. Within ten years he would execute both Paul and Peter.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of oiktirmos (G3628) across the King James Bible.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G3628 (oiktirmos) is a Greek word that means: compassion; kindness, in relieving sorrow and want, Phil. 2:1; Col. 3:12; Heb. 10:28; favor, grace, mercy, Rom. 12:1; 2 Cor. 1:3* It appears 5 times in the King James Bible.
The word oiktirmos (G3628) appears 5 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3628 is oiktirmos, a Greek word defined as: compassion; kindness, in relieving sorrow and want, Phil. 2:1; Col. 3:12; Heb. 10:28; favor, grace, mercy, Rom. 12:1; 2 Cor. 1:3*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
oiktirmos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.