Romans 12:15

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Romans 12:15 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.

King James Version KJV

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

American Standard Version ASV

Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Take part in the joy of those who are glad, and in the grief of those who are sorrowing.

Free Bible Version FBV

Be happy with those who are happy; cry with those who are crying.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Reioyce with them that reioyce, and weepe with them that weepe.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

to rejoice with the rejoicing, and to weep with the weeping,

World English Bible WEB

Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep.

Translation for Translators T4T

If someone is joyful, you should rejoice also! If someone is sad, you should also be sad!

Plain English Version PEV

If somebody is happy, you be happy with them too. If somebody is sad, you be sad with them too.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Romans 12:15

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Romans 12:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK χαιρειν μετα χαιροντων και κλαιειν μετα κλαιοντων

χαιρειν chairō G5463 to rejoice Verb-PAN

μετα meta G3326 with/after Prep

χαιροντων chairō G5463 to rejoice Verb-PAP-GPM

και kai G2532 and Conj

κλαιειν klaiō G2799 to weep Verb-PAN

μετα meta G3326 with/after Prep

κλαιοντων klaiō G2799 to weep Verb-PAP-GPM

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — Romans 12:15

χαιρειν chairō G5463 "to rejoice" Verb-PAN

To rejoice means to feel happy and glad, like the disciples in Mark 14:11. It can also be used as a greeting, wishing someone well and farewell.

Definition: χαίρω [in LXX for שָׂמַח (Gen.45:16, al.), גִּיל (Pro.2:14, al.), etc.; inf., as greeting (see infr.), Isa.48:22 57:21 שָׁלוֹם), 1Ma.10:18, 2Ma.1:1 and frequently in these books ;] __1. to rejoice, be glad: Mrk.14:11, Luk.15:5, 32 19:6, 37 22:5 23:8, Jhn.8:56 20:20, Act.5:41 8:39 11:23 13:48, 2Co.6:10 7:7 13:9, Php.2:17, 28, Col.2:5, 1Th.5:16, 1Pe.4:13, 3Jn.3; χ. καὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθαι, Mat.5:12; κ. σκιρτᾶν, Luk.6:23; opposite to κλαίειν, Rom.12:15, 1Co.7:30; to κλαίειν κ. θρηνεῖν Jhn.16:20; to λύπην ἔχειν, Jhn.16:22; with cogn. accusative, χ. χαρὰν μεγάλην, Mat.2:10; χαρᾷ χ. (B1., § 38, 3; Dalman, Words, 34 f.), Jhn.3:29; ἡ χαρὰ ᾗ χαίρομεν, 1Th.3:9; with prep. (Bl., 38, 2), ἐπί, with dative (simple dative in cl.), Mat.18:13, Luk.1:14 13:17, Act.15:31, Rom.16:19, 1Co.13:6 16:17, 2Co.7:13, Rev.11:10; διά, Jhn.3:29 11:15, 1Th.3:9; ἐν, Php.1:18; ἀπό, 2Co.2:3; with accusative (Dem.), Php.2:18; before ὅτι, Jhn.14:28, 2Co.7:9 7:16, 2Jn.4; ἐν τούτῳ ὅτι, Luk.10:20; with dative, Rom.12:1; ἐν κυρίῳ, Php.4:10 __2. In salutations, imperat., χαῖρε, χαίρετε, __(a) at meeting, hail: Mat.26:49 27:29, Mrk.15:18, Luk.1:28, Jhn.19:3; pl., Mat.28:9; so χχαίρειν λέγω, to give greeting, II Jn 11; in letters, χαίρειν (sc. λέγει; 81, 1), greeting: Act.15:23 23:26 Jas.1:1; __(b) at parting, farewell: 2Co.13:11; __(with) on other occasions, be of good cheer: ἐν κυρίῳ, Php.3:1 4:4 (cf. συν-χαίρω).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 68 NT verses. KJV: farewell, be glad, God speed, greeting, hall, joy(- fully), rejoice See also: 1 Corinthians 7:30; John 16:22; 1 Peter 4:13.

μετα meta G3326 "with/after" Prep

Means with or after, showing accompaniment, as in being among a group or following someone, like Jesus with his disciples in Mark 1:13. It can also show cause and effect. The KJV translates it as after, among, or with. It is used in many New Testament books, including Matthew and Luke.

Definition: μετά (before vowel μετ᾽; on the neglect of elision in certain cases, V. WH, App., 146 b), prep. with genitive, accusative (in poet, also with dative), [in LXX for אַחַד ,עִם ,אֵת, etc.]. __I. C. genitive, __1. among, amid: Mrk.1:13, Luk.22:37 (LXX, ἐν) 24:5, Jhn.18:5, al.; διωγμῶν, Mrk.10:30. __2. Of association and companionship, with (in which sense it gradually superseded σύν, than which it is much more frequently in NT; cf. Bl., §42, 3): with genitive of person(s), Mat.8:11 20:20 Mrk.1:29 3:7 Luk.5:30, Jhn.3:22, Gal.2:1, al. mult.; εἶναι μετά, Mat.5:25, Mrk.3:14, al.; metaphorically, of divine help and guidance, Jhn.3:2, Act.7:9, Php.4:9, al.; opposite to εἶναι κατά, Mat.12:30, Luk.11:23; in Hellenistic usage (but see M, Pr., 106, 246f.), πολεμεῖν μετά = cl. π., with dative, to wage war against (so LXX for נִלְחַם עִם, 1Ki.17:33), Rev.2:16, al.; with genitive of thing(s), χαρᾶς, Mat.13:20, Mrk.4:16, al.; ὀργῆς, Mrk.3:5, al. __II. C. accusative, __1. of place, behind, after: Heb.9:3. __2. Of time, after: Mat.17:1, Mrk.14:1, Luk.1:24, Act.1:5, Gal.1:18, al.; μετὰ τοῦτο, Jhn.2:12, al.; ταῦτα, Mrk.16:[12], Luk.5:27, Jhn.3:22, al; with inf. artic. (BL, §71, 5; 72, 3), Mat.26:32, Mrk.1:14, al. __III. In composition, __1. of association or community: μεταδίδωμι, μετέχω, etc. __2. Exchange or transference: μεταλλάσσω, μετοικίζω, etc. __3. after: μεταμέλομαι. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 444 NT verses. KJV: after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out) See also: 1 Corinthians 6:6; Acts 25:12; 1 Peter 1:11.

χαιροντων chairō G5463 "to rejoice" Verb-PAP-GPM

To rejoice means to feel happy and glad, like the disciples in Mark 14:11. It can also be used as a greeting, wishing someone well and farewell.

Usage: Occurs in 68 NT verses. KJV: farewell, be glad, God speed, greeting, hall, joy(- fully), rejoice See also: 1 Corinthians 7:30; John 16:22; 1 Peter 4:13.

και kai G2532 "and" Conj

And or also, a connecting word used to join ideas or words, like in Matthew 2:18 and Hebrews 1:1.

Definition: καί, conj., and __I. Copulative. __1. Connecting single words; __(a) in general: Mat.2:18, 16:1, Mrk.2:15, Luk.8:15, Heb.1:1, al. mult.; repeated before each of the terms in a series, Mat.23:23, Luk.14:21, Rom.7:12, 9:4, al. __(b) connecting numerals (WM, §37, 4): Jhn.2:20, Act.13:20; __(with) joining terms which are not mutually exclusive, as the part with the whole: Mat.8:33, 26:59, Mrk.16:17, Act.5:29, al. __2. Connecting clauses and sentences: Mat.3:12, Act.5:21, al. mult.; esp. __(a) where, after the simplicity of the popular language, sentences are paratactically joined (WM, §60, 3; M, Pr., 12; Deiss., LAE, 128ff.): Mat.1:21, 7:25, Mrk.9:5, Jhn.10:3, al.; __(b) joining affirmative to negative sentences: Luk.3:14, Jhn.4:11, IIIJhn.10; __(with) consecutive, and so: Mat.5:1, 23:32, Heb.3:19, al.; after imperatives, Mat.4:19, Luk.7:7, al.; __(d) = καίτοι, and yet: Mat.3:14, 6:26, Mrk.12:12, Luk.18:7 (Field, Notes, 72), 1Co.5:2, al.; __(e) beginning an apodosis (= Heb. וְ; so sometimes δέ in cl.), then: Luk.2:21, 7:12, Act.1:10; beginning a question (WM, §53, 3a): Mrk.10:26, Luk.10:29, Jhn.9:36. __3. Epexegetic, and, and indeed, namely (WM, §53, 3c): Luk.3:18, Jhn.1:16, Act.23:6, Rom.1:5, 1Co.3:5, al. __4. In transition: Mat.4:23, Mrk.5:1, 21, Jhn.1:19, al.; so, Hebraistically, καὶ ἐγένετο (וַי:הִי; also ἐγένετο δέ), Mrk.1:9 (cf. Luk.5:1; V. Burton, §§357-60; M, Pr., 14, 16). __5. καὶ . . . καί, both . . . and (for τε . . . καί, see: τε); __(a) connecting single words: Mat.10:28, Mrk.4:41, Rom.11:33, al.; __(b) clauses and sentences: Mrk.9:13, Jhn.7:28, 1Co.1:22, al. __II. Adjunctive, also, even, still: Mat.5:39, 40; Mrk.2:28, al. mult.; esp. with pron., adv., etc., Mat.20:4, Jhn.7:47, al; ὡς κ., Act.11:17; καθὼς κ., Rom.15:7; οὑτω κ., Rom.6:11; διὸ κ., Luk.1:35; ὁ κ. (Deiss., BS, 313ff.), Act.13:9; pleonastically, μετὰ κ.. (Bl., §77, 7; Deiss., BS, 265f,), Php.4:3; τί κ., 1 Co 15:29; ἀλλὰ κ., Luk.14:22, Jhn.5:18, al.; καίγε (M, Pr., 230; Burton, §437), Act.17:27; καίπερ, Heb.5:8; κ. ἐάν, see: ἐάν. ἐάν, contr. fr. εἰ ἄν, conditional particle, representing something as "under certain circumstances actual or liable to happen," but not so definitely expected as in the case of εἰ with ind. (Bl., §65, 4; cf. Jhn.13:17, 1Co.7:36), if haply, if; __1. with subjc. (cl.); __(a) pres.: Mat.6:22, Luk.10:6, Jhn.7:17, Rom.2:25, 26 al.; { __(b) aor. (= Lat. fut. pf.): Mat.4:9 16:26 (cf. ptcp. in Luk.9:25; M, Pr., 230), Mrk.3:24, Luk.14:34, Jhn.5:43, Rom.7:2, al.; = cl. εἰ, with opt., Jhn.9:22 11:57, Act.9:2; as Heb. אִם = ὅταν, Jhn.12:32 14:3, I Jhn.2:28 3:2, Heb.3:7" (LXX) . __2. C. indic, (as in late writers, fr. Arist. on; see WH, App., 171; VD, MGr. 2, App., §77; Deiss., BS, 201f., LAE, 155, 254; M, Pr., 168, 187; Bl., §65, 4); __(a) fut.: Mat.18:19 T, Luk.19:40, Act.7:7; __(b) pres.: 1Th.3:8 (see Milligan, in l.). __3. With other particles: ἐ. καί (Bl., §65, 6), Gal.6:1; ἐ. μή (M, Pr., 185, 187; Bl., l.with), with subjc. pres., Mat.10:13, 1Co.8:8, Jas.2:17, 1Jn.3:21; aor., Mat.6:15, Mrk.3:27, Jhn.3:3, Rom.10:15, Gal.1:8 2:16 (see Lft., Ellic., in ll.); ἐ. τε . . . ἐ. τε, [in LXX for אִם . . . אִם, Est.19:13, al.,] Rom.14:8. __4. = cl. ἄν (which see) after relat. pronouns and adverbs (Tdf., Pr., 96; WH, App., 173; M, Pr., 42f.; Bl., §26, 4; Mayser, 152f.; Deiss., BS, 202ff.): ὃς ἐ., Mat.5:19, Mrk.6:22, 23 Luk.17:32, 1Co.6:18, al.; ὅπου ἐ., Mat.8:19; ὁσάκις ἐ., Rev.11:6; οὗ ἐ., 1Co.16:6; καθὸ ἐ., 2Co.8:12; ὅστις ἐ., Gal.5:10. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 5212 NT verses. KJV: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 10:4; 1 Corinthians 16:1.

κλαιειν klaiō G2799 "to weep" Verb-PAN

To weep means to cry out loud, like the people who mourned in Mark 5:38-39 after a little girl died.

Definition: κλαίω [in LXX chiefly for בָּכָה ;] of any loud expression of pain or sorrow, esp. for the dead, to weep, lament; __(a) intrans.: Mrk.5:38-39 14:72 (M, Pr., 131) Mrk.16:10, Luk.7:13, 32 7:38 8:52, Jhn.11:31, 33 16:20 20:11, 13 20:15 Act.9:39 21:13, 1Co.7:30, Php.3:18, Jas.4:9 5:1, Rev.5:5 18:15, 19; πολύ, Rev.5:4; πολλά, Act.8:24 (WH, mg.); πικρῶς, Mat.26:75, Luk.22:62; opposite to γελάω, Luk.6:21, 25; χαίρω, Rom.12:15; before ἐπί, with accusative, Luk.19:41 23:28, Rev.18:9; __(b) trans., with accusative of person(s), to weep or lament for, bewail: Mat.2:18.† SYN.: see: δακρύω (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 34 NT verses. KJV: bewail, weep See also: 1 Corinthians 7:30; Luke 19:41; James 4:9.

μετα meta G3326 "with/after" Prep

κλαιοντων klaiō G2799 "to weep" Verb-PAP-GPM

To weep means to cry out loud, like the people who mourned in Mark 5:38-39 after a little girl died.

Usage: Occurs in 34 NT verses. KJV: bewail, weep See also: 1 Corinthians 7:30; Luke 19:41; James 4:9.

Study Notes — Romans 12:15

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Romans 12:15 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Romans 12:15
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 12:15
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Romans 12:15
Trapp's Commentary on Romans 12:15
Ellicott's Commentary on Romans 12:15
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Romans 12:15
Cambridge Bible on Romans 12:15
Barnes' Notes on Romans 12:15
Sermons on Romans 12:15

Context — Forgiveness

13Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.

15Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.

16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	1 Corinthians 12:26	If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
2	Hebrews 13:3	Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them.
3	Psalms 35:13–14	Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting, but my prayers returned unanswered. I paced about as for my friend or brother; I was bowed down with grief, like one mourning for his mother.
4	John 11:33–36	When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you put him?” He asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they answered. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”
5	Job 30:25	Have I not wept for those in trouble? Has my soul not grieved for the needy?
6	Luke 1:58	Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her.
7	Philippians 2:17–18	But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
8	Jeremiah 9:1	Oh, that my head were a spring of water, and my eyes a fountain of tears! I would weep day and night over the slain daughter of my people.
9	Acts 11:23	When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to abide in the Lord with all their hearts.
10	Luke 15:5–10	And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders, comes home, and calls together his friends and neighbors to tell them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep!’ In the same way, I tell you that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need to repent. Or what woman who has ten silver coins and loses one of them does not light a lamp, sweep her house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors to say, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”

Romans 12:15 Summary

[Romans 12:15 is a call to be truly present and engaged with the people around us, whether they are experiencing happiness or sadness. This means being willing to listen, to celebrate, and to mourn with others, just as Jesus did during His time on earth (John 11:35). By doing so, we demonstrate our love and care for one another, and we reflect the heart of God, who is our ultimate example of compassion and empathy (Psalm 103:13). As we seek to live out this verse, we can look to other scriptures, such as Galatians 6:2, for guidance on how to bear one another's burdens and live in harmony with one another.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to rejoice with those who rejoice?

It means to share in the joy and happiness of others, as seen in Psalm 122:1, where the Psalmist expresses his joy in going to the house of the Lord. This demonstrates our care and concern for one another.

Why are we called to weep with those who weep?

Weeping with those who weep shows empathy and compassion, as Jesus did in John 11:35 when He wept with Mary and Martha over the loss of their brother Lazarus. This kind of emotional support is essential in building strong, caring relationships.

Is it really possible to genuinely rejoice with someone who is experiencing something I have never experienced?

While we may not be able to fully understand someone's specific circumstances, we can still show love, care, and support, as Galatians 6:2 encourages us to bear one another's burdens. By doing so, we demonstrate our commitment to one another and to Christ.

How can I balance rejoicing with those who rejoice and weeping with those who weep in my daily life?

This balance can be achieved by being attentive to the needs of those around us, as Romans 12:15 encourages, and by being sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading, as seen in Ephesians 4:32, where we are called to be kind and compassionate towards one another.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways I can show genuine joy and celebration with those around me who are experiencing happy times?
How can I be more empathetic and understanding when someone I care about is going through a difficult time?
What are some practical ways I can put Romans 12:15 into action in my daily life, whether at home, work, or church?
In what ways can I use my own experiences of joy and sorrow to better relate to and support those around me?
How does my response to others' joys and sorrows reflect my relationship with God and my obedience to His Word?

Gill's Exposition on Romans 12:15

Rejoice with them that do rejoice,.... Not in anything sinful and criminal, in a thing of nought, in men's own boastings; all such rejoicing is evil, and not to be joined in; but in things good and

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Romans 12:15

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Rejoice with them that rejoice, [and] weep with them that weep , [ Chairein (G5463) ... klaiein (G2799).

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Romans 12:15

i.e. Be touched with your neighbour’ s good or evil, as if it were your own. The reason of this sympathy, or fellow feeling, is rendered by the apostle, ,27; Because we are members one of another, therefore, if one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; and if one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Examples hereof we have in : see .

Trapp's Commentary on Romans 12:15

15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Ver. 15. Weep with them that weep] St Cyprian’ s compassion is remarkable, Cum singulis pectus meum copulo, maeroris et funeris pondera luctuosa participo: cum plangentibus plango, cum deflentibus defleo, &c. I partake in every man’ s grief, and am as much affected and afflicted as if it were mine own case.

Ellicott's Commentary on Romans 12:15

(15) Rejoice with them that do rejoice.—The feeling of sympathy is perhaps more under the control of the will than might be supposed. It becomes so, however, not so much by isolated efforts as by a conscious direction given to the whole life. The injunction in this verse is one of those that have been perhaps most fully carried out in modern times. It has entered into the social code, and belongs as much to the gentleman as the Christian. The danger, therefore, is that the expression of sympathy should be unreal and insincere. This will be prevented by the presence of the Christian motive.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Romans 12:15

Verse 15. Rejoice with them that do rejoice] Take a lively interest in the prosperity of others. Let it be a matter of rejoicing to you when you hear of the health, prosperity, or happiness of any brother. Weep with them that weep.] Labour after a compassionate or sympathizing mind. Let your heart feel for the distressed; enter into their sorrows, and bear a part of their burdens. It is a fact, attested by universal experience, that by sympathy a man may receive into his own affectionate feelings a measure of the distress of his friend, and that his friend does find himself relieved in the same proportion as the other has entered into his griefs. "But how do you account for this?" I do not account for it at all, it depends upon certain laws of nature, the principles of which have not been as yet duly developed.

Cambridge Bible on Romans 12:15

15. Rejoice, &c.] On this beautiful and precious precept, cp. 1 Corinthians 12:26; and see the Lord’s example, at Cana and at Bethany. St Paul himself knew how to practise his own precept. (2 Corinthians 2:2-4.)

Barnes' Notes on Romans 12:15

Rejoice with them ... - This command grows out of the doctrine stated in Romans 12:4-5, that the church is one; that it has one interest; and therefore that there should be common sympathy in its joys and sorrows.

Sermons on Romans 12:15

	Sermon	Description
	Reading From the Beatitudes by D.L. Moody	D.L. Moody emphasizes the profound blessings found in the Beatitudes, particularly focusing on the comfort promised to those who mourn and the meek. He explains that mourning signi
	(Israel) the Ministry of Refreshing Others by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the pastor shares about the burdens and challenges faced by individuals and families. He mentions a man who lost his wife in a car accident and had sons who ended u
	Justification by Works by J. Vernon McGee	In this sermon, Dr. J. Vernon McGee explores the topic of faith and works in the book of James. He begins by highlighting James' unique method of presenting an illustration before
	Human Rights by Brother Andrew	In this sermon, the speaker shares a powerful encounter with a street child who wandered into their church service. The child, barefoot and filthy, mistakenly believed he was the c
	Why Do the Righteous Suffer by David Wilkerson	In this sermon, the speaker begins by sharing a personal story about a doctor friend who gained sympathy for those in pain after experiencing kidney stones himself. The speaker the
	(Basics) 38. Jesus Valued People More Than Things by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the preacher highlights the upside-down values of the world, where money is often prioritized over God and people. He emphasizes that Christians should believe and
	Live Expressed by Art Katz	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of understanding and demonstrating true love, as exemplified by Jesus in his interaction with the rich young ruler in Mark chap