Splagchnizomai: The Heart of Ministry

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36).

The Gospels say Jesus “had compassion” for the crowds. The Greek word here is splagchnizomai (SPLANGKH-nee-zo-my). It literally means to be moved in the bowels—the seat of our deepest emotions. This was a gut-level compassion that shook Christ, pulled Him close, and made Him suffer with people.

From this place of splagchnizomai, His ministry flowed: proclaiming the Kingdom, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, touching lepers, and raising the dead (see Matthew 14:14; 15:32; 20:34; Mark 1:41; Luke 7:13; 15:20).

And this is the heart of all true ministry.

Without splagchnizomai, ministry becomes detached, dry, and distant. With splagchnizomai, ministry becomes passionate, pure, and powerful—Christ Himself loving through us.

Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis says it well: “When we allow ourselves to be moved in this way, we are already hopelessly involved with the object of our pity: no possibility here of a distanced display of ‘charity’ that refuses to become tainted by contact with the stench of human misery” (Commentary on Matthew 9:36, p. 515).

St. Paul’s Splagchnizomai

St. Paul carried this same splagchnizomai. To the Philippians, he wrote: “I yearn for you all with the compassion (splanchna) of Christ Jesus” (Phil 1:8). To Philemon, he called Onesimus “my own heart” (splanchna) (Phlm 12). To the Corinthians, he contrasted their narrowness with his wide-open guts (splanchna) of love (2 Cor 6:11–12).

Paul not only felt Christ’s compassion—he was compelled by it: “The love of Christ compels us” (2 Cor 5:14). Splagchnizomai doesn’t just soften the heart; it ignites mission. Moreover, St. Paul calls us to live from the same deep interior wellspring that moved Jesus, stating: “As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion (splancha), kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” (Col 3:12).

St. Vincent Ferrer’s Splagchnizomai

Another saint who allowed himself to be moved in the way was St. Vincent Ferrer. Before entering a city, he would drop to his knees, raise his eyes to heaven, and pray until he felt Christ’s Heart beating for the people. Often, he was moved to tears during prayer before he preached a mission. Only when he carried Jesus’ splagchnizomai in his own heart did he stand up and preach. His words carried power because they were born of splagchnizomai.

👉 Fun fact: the blood vessels in our gut are called the splanchnic circulation. It’s striking how even our biology mirrors this mystery—our language of “gut feelings” points to the very place where Jesus’ compassion is described. Body and soul are united: the seat of our emotions is literally tied to the word Scripture uses for His compassion.

An Invitation to Splagchnizomai

Here’s the call: before you minister—before you teach, counsel, or pray—pause and pray:

“Jesus, give me Your Heart for Your people!”

Keep repeating this prayer—or adapt your own—until you feel Christ’s Heart beating for His people. Because the power of ministry does not come from our plans or strength. It flows from splagchnizomai—gut-level, Christ-shaped compassion.