FAQ: What is Mercy?
What is Mercy?
That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant. In this sense, there is perhaps no word in our language precisely synonymous with mercy. That which comes nearest to it is grace. It implies benevolence, tenderness, mildness, pity or compassion, and clemency, but exercised only towards offenders. Mercy is a distinguishing attribute of the Supreme Being.
Mercy means to bow (the neck only) – a refraining from harming or punishing offenders, enemies. The power to forgive or be kind.
The mercy of Yahweh is shown to everyone…
“…for He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45)
Although mercy and grace are used interchangeably they are not the same…