Mercy is simply defined this way, “the withholding of deserved punishment and relieving distress.” The Greek eleos (G1656) articulates “compassion, pity.” It has also been described as, “Kindness or good will towards the miserable and afflicted, joined with a desire to relieve them.” Pity was also felt by the pagans of Greece. According to Aristotle, that tragedy stirred up pity and also a lingering fear that similar tragedy might happen to them.
We see this in Matt. 23:23 where the Pharisees are called hypocrites by Jesus because of how meticulously calculated their tithes of seeds and herbs to the very tenth, yet ignored matters of mercy and faith which were more important. After teaching His disciples the parable of the Good Samaritan as a graphic example of mercy. (Luke 10:25-37), He then challenged them to “Go, and do thou likewise.”
Often in his letters Paul would use this word as a simple reminder of God’s mercy. Its a reminder that we all cannot hear enough (Rom. 9:23; Rom. 11:31; Gal. 6:16). In one of sharpest verses in Scripture about salvation having nothing to do with works, Paul wrote this to Titus: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Tit. 3:5). This word mercy was so rooted in Paul’s thinking that he used it regularly in salutations (1 Tim.1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2; Tit. 1:4).
So clearly, mercy is constant to the vulnerable. Eph.2:1-3 points out very clearly that we deserve whatever, affliction, despair, misery, sorrow, tragedy as well as any and all pains that come to pass us, but God by His undeserved mercy eases it. In other words, the full impact of God’s we wrath is what we truly deserve, but because He is merciful, His incomprehensible compassion gives us relief.
It is most essential that we note the vital difference between mercy and grace:
• Mercy - Withholding of what (death and hell) is truly deserved.
• Grace - Bestowing of what (life and heaven)is not deserved
“Mercy pities. Grace pardons,” is another way of looking at it.
Review and Meditation: According to Luke 1:50 who is the recipient of God’s mercy? Where is mercy constantly found by the Christians according to Heb. 4:16?
We see this in Matt. 23:23 where the Pharisees are called hypocrites by Jesus because of how meticulously calculated their tithes of seeds and herbs to the very tenth, yet ignored matters of mercy and faith which were more important. After teaching His disciples the parable of the Good Samaritan as a graphic example of mercy. (Luke 10:25-37), He then challenged them to “Go, and do thou likewise.”
Often in his letters Paul would use this word as a simple reminder of God’s mercy. Its a reminder that we all cannot hear enough (Rom. 9:23; Rom. 11:31; Gal. 6:16). In one of sharpest verses in Scripture about salvation having nothing to do with works, Paul wrote this to Titus: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Tit. 3:5). This word mercy was so rooted in Paul’s thinking that he used it regularly in salutations (1 Tim.1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2; Tit. 1:4).
So clearly, mercy is constant to the vulnerable. Eph.2:1-3 points out very clearly that we deserve whatever, affliction, despair, misery, sorrow, tragedy as well as any and all pains that come to pass us, but God by His undeserved mercy eases it. In other words, the full impact of God’s we wrath is what we truly deserve, but because He is merciful, His incomprehensible compassion gives us relief.
It is most essential that we note the vital difference between mercy and grace:
• Mercy - Withholding of what (death and hell) is truly deserved.
• Grace - Bestowing of what (life and heaven)is not deserved
“Mercy pities. Grace pardons,” is another way of looking at it.
Review and Meditation: According to Luke 1:50 who is the recipient of God’s mercy? Where is mercy constantly found by the Christians according to Heb. 4:16?
Mercy - (Greek Eleos)
Pronounced - el’-eh-os
Pronounced - el’-eh-os
ΑΒΓΔΕΖΗΘΙΚΛΜΝΞΟΠΡΣΤΥΦΧΨΩ
"It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" - Jesus Matt. 4:4
Glorifying the Triune God by creatively declaring the relevancy and practicality of His timeless Word.