Tempted and Tested
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15
Empathize and sympathize are two English words that are sometimes confused. While the Greek word for sympathy occurs in the Greek New Testament twice (Hebrews 4:15; 10:34), the Greek word for empathy does not. In modern terms, sympathize means “to have pity or sorrow towards another,” while empathize means “to understand and share in the feelings of another.” The meaning of Greek sympathize is more like the meaning of our modern empathize: to suffer with.
One of the benefits of Immanuel—“God with us” as a fellow human—is Christ’s ability to identify with our sufferings, to sympathize with us. “Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested” (Hebrews 2:18, NLT). He had to “be made in every respect like us...so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God” (Hebrews 2:17, NLT). Jesus experienced every pain we experience, “yet without sin.”
When you are tempted or tested, you are not alone. God is with you; He has felt what you are feeling.
One Son God hath without sin, but none without sorrow.
John Trapp
Turning Point Ministries
For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15
Empathize and sympathize are two English words that are sometimes confused. While the Greek word for sympathy occurs in the Greek New Testament twice (Hebrews 4:15; 10:34), the Greek word for empathy does not. In modern terms, sympathize means “to have pity or sorrow towards another,” while empathize means “to understand and share in the feelings of another.” The meaning of Greek sympathize is more like the meaning of our modern empathize: to suffer with.
One of the benefits of Immanuel—“God with us” as a fellow human—is Christ’s ability to identify with our sufferings, to sympathize with us. “Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested” (Hebrews 2:18, NLT). He had to “be made in every respect like us...so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God” (Hebrews 2:17, NLT). Jesus experienced every pain we experience, “yet without sin.”
When you are tempted or tested, you are not alone. God is with you; He has felt what you are feeling.
One Son God hath without sin, but none without sorrow.
John Trapp
Turning Point Ministries
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