Instead, love leads to mercy. Because of God's compassion for the helpless, He takes action to provide relief for them. This same classical Greek word eleos that is translated mercy can be used regarding human beings; but in the New Testament, it has a special reference to what God does in Christ. There is an inexhaustible abundance of such mercy available in God, as we just read in verses 4 and 5. This side of God's character is expressed in the description Father of mercies.
Mercy comes according to God's will. Among Paul's several images of mercy we find an emphasis on God's freedom in dispensing mercy to whom He wills. God Himself decides to whom He will extend that mercy. Here we see the direct comparison of Israel's rejection and God's justice:
The same Greek word eleos in classical Greek that is translated mercy can be used regarding human beings. But in the New Testament, it has a special reference to what God does in Christ. There is an inexhaustible abundance of such mercy available in God, as we just read in verses 4 and 5. So this side of God's character is expressed in the description Father of mercies. It is an intimate term. We should think warmly and we should think highly when the name of the Father is applied (except when it is in the Catholic religion because that is breaking the Scriptures).
Mercy comes according to God's will. Among Paul's several themes of mercy, we find an emphasis on God's freedom and dispensing mercy to whom He wills.
Compassion and mercy are an intrinsic part of the character of God and He expects us to be learning the same in the things that we suffer as living sacrifices.
As Paul showed here, this is the circle of growth that expands from Christ through all called to Him by the Father. This is an awesome plan that God is perfectly working out. Presenting ourselves as living sacrifices is another important piece that Paul has given here in God's carefully woven plan.
This side of God's character is captured in the description, Father of mercies.
The primary facets of God's mercy are forgiveness, deliverance, and restoration. In light of these verses, it is clear that Paul is appealing to our experience of mercy from God. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then you have experienced God's compassion.
Please turn to II Corinthians 1:3. What is mercy? This is not the first time mercy is mentioned in Romans. Mercy is one of the three words that often are found together in Scripture - goodness, grace, and mercy. So God is the Father of mercies.
His compassion is over all He has made, and we are saved by grace because of His merciful love.
