Mercy, human

Believers are urged to show the same qualities of mercy and compassion towards one another as God demonstrates to them. A lack of mercy is regarded as characteristic of godless people.

The need for human mercy

Proverbs 18:23 See also Deuteronomy 28:49–50; 2 Samuel 12:6; 1 Kings 3:26; Job 19:21; Proverbs 21:10; Isaiah 47:6, Isaiah 49:15; Zechariah 7:9–11

The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.

Believers should be merciful

Micah 6:8; Matthew 5:7; Luke 6:36 See also Zechariah 7:9; James 2:12–13; 1 Peter 3:9; Jude 1:22

He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Lack of mercy characterises the godless

Isaiah 13:18 See also Jeremiah 6:23, Jeremiah 21:7, Jeremiah 50:42; Amos 1:11–12; Habakkuk 1:13–17; Matthew 23:23

Their bows will dash young men to pieces; they will have no mercy on the fruit of the womb; they will not look with pity on the children.

Lack of mercy on Israel's part was sometimes obedience to God

Deuteronomy 7:2 Concerning the peoples they were to displace in the promised land. See also Deuteronomy 13:6–9, Deuteronomy 19:11–13, Deuteronomy 19:21, Deuteronomy 28:53–54; Joshua 6:17–19; 1 Samuel 15:18–19

and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy.

Mercy as a greeting and a blessing

As a greeting

1 Timothy 1:2 See also 2 Timothy 1:2; 2 John 1:3; Jude 1:2

To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

As a blessing

Galatians 6:16 See also 2 Timothy 1:16–18; Jude 1:21

Peace and mercy to all who walk by this rule, even to the Israel of God.