The Gut-Level Compassion of God

A few years ago, I began to study the Hebrew word for heart. Fascinating study, 5 stars.

Recently, I started noticing the word heart in the New Testament—not that I hadn’t read it before, just that it’s been on my radar. That happens when the Lord is getting my attention.

Not being a huge fan of Greek, I am often reluctant to look at Greek words in Scripture. The Hebrew translations are like a warm, cozy hug for me.

But this word for heart has me shooketh, as the kids say.

The Greek Word σπλάγχνον (Splagchnon)

The word σπλάγχνον (splagchnon) literally means “inward parts,” “entrails,” or “bowels.”

So, as I was reading Colossians and it says to put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, I saw it actually means to “put on inward parts/bowels of compassion etc.”

That kinda hits different than heart, doesn’t it?

In Greek thought, the inner organs—especially the heart, lungs, liver, and intestines—were believed to be the seat of intense emotions like compassion, love, or pity.

Seeing the Greeks are quite intense folks causes me to give a second look at Greek as a whole. 🫶🏼🫶🏼

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Feeling It in the Gut

While you and I might say, “I feel it in my gut” or “it broke my heart,” these passionate ancient people actually located their feelings viscerally.

They quite literally felt the feels.

We would too—‘xcept societal norms dictate stuffing emotions rather than carrying on loudly. Ridiculous IMO.

In those times, emotions weren’t abstract. They were embodied.

When someone felt compassion, grief, or affection, it was believed that these feelings arose from the innermost organs.

To be moved in the inward parts wasn’t a light sentiment—it described a gut-level stirring of empathy, the kind of emotion that demanded action toward mercy or kindness.

Now we’re getting somewhere.

Yeshua Felt It Deeply

So when Scripture says, “Yeshua was moved with compassion” (Mark 1:41, Luke 7:13), the Greek is ἐσπλαγχνίσθη—He was moved in His guts. 😳

Our Messiah felt so deeply that it twisted His insides.

The Hebrew Connection

Of course, the Hebrew mirrors this.

In Hebrew, רַחֲמִים (rachamim)—compassion—comes from a root that means womb.

So, both Hebrew and Greek connect compassion to the deep internal organs of life, namely the womb, the bowels, the seat of empathy and mercy.

So What Does This Mean?

When Scripture says God’s splagchnon are toward His people, it shows us something astounding.

God’s mercy, love, and compassion aren’t aloof, distant, or clinical—they’re visceral, emotional, and deeply personal.

It moves Him toward us with the tenderness of a parent and the urgency of love that aches to restore.

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He Is Moved by You

Over the years, I hear a saying that makes my eye twitch—God wink.

My dear friend, God doesn’t wink at you like some sugar daddy, nor does He give you a nod as if to throw you a crumb of goodness.

He is gutturally moved to the core over you—He sings love songs over you. Can’t you hear it?

Maybe it’s time you allowed the Lord to demonstrate His passionate, urgent, aching love toward you.