mercy

An attribute of God and a virtue commended for human beings. In the OT mercy is associated with the covenant obligation between God and humans. In the NT God’s merciful faithfulness results in sending Jesus to save people (Luke 1:58; Eph 2:4; Rom 11:30-32). God’s mercy toward the faithful will manifest itself at the final judgment (2Tim 1:18; Luke 16:24; Jas 2:13). Mercy is also recommended in human relationships through reference to the OT (Matt 9:13), the promise of divine mercy (Matt 5:7), and human example (Luke 10:37). Jesus shows mercy to the needy (Luke 17:13; Luke 18:38), and mercy was incorporated into early Christian benedictions (1Tim 1:2).