Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 12:15

"Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep." — Romans 12:15 (ASV)

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.

Alternatively, enter into the welfare of your fellow Christians and show your attachment to them by rejoicing that they are made happy. (Compare to 1 Corinthians 12:26): And whether—one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

In this way, happiness diffuses and multiplies itself. It becomes expanded over the face of the whole society, and the union of the Christian body tends to enlarge the sphere of happiness and to prolong the joy conferred by religion.

God has bound the family of man together by these sympathies, and it is one of the happiest of all devices to perpetuate and extend human enjoyments.

Weep with them. (See the notes on John 11:35).

At the grave of Lazarus, our Savior demonstrated this in a most tender and affecting manner. The design of this direction is to produce mutual kindness and affection and to divide our sorrows by the sympathies of friends.

Nothing is so well suited to do this as the sympathy of those we love. All who are afflicted know how much it diminishes their sorrow to see others sympathizing with them, and especially those who demonstrate in their sympathies the Christian spirit.

How sad would a suffering world be if there were no one who regarded our griefs with interest or with tears! How sad if every sufferer were left to bear his sorrows unpitied and alone! And how sad if all the ties of human sympathy were rudely cut at once, and people were left to suffer in solitude and without friends!

It may be added that it is the special duty of Christians to sympathize in each other's griefs:

1. because their Savior set them the example;
2. because they belong to the same family;
3. because they are subject to similar trials and afflictions; and
4. because they cannot expect the sympathy of a cold and unfeeling world.