What Does the Bible Say About Kindness?
Be ye kind one to another — kindness in Scripture is God's own disposition, passed on. What the Bible teaches about practical goodness.
Kindness in the Bible flows downhill from God: “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). It is a fruit of the Spirit (the KJV’s “gentleness”), the second thing said about love — “charity… is kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4) — and, in Jesus’ parables, the thing that crosses the road.
Kindness is God's style
Scripture attributes kindness to God with startling frequency — his merciful kindness is great toward us; in the ages to come he intends to show “the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” Titus even says our salvation appeared as “the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man.” Human kindness, biblically, is family resemblance.
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.
Kindness with hands
Biblical kindness is concrete: the Samaritan’s oil, wine, donkey, and paid innkeeper’s bill. Proverbs’ woman of valour has “the law of kindness” on her tongue. Ruth’s entire book turns on kindness — hesed, covenant loyalty in work clothes — shown by a foreign widow and a generous farmer. The Bible barely recognises kindness that stays a sentiment.
But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
Put it on daily
Colossians tells believers to dress in kindness — put on, as the elect of God, “bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.” Clothing is chosen each morning; so is this. And Jesus attached weight to its smallest units: a cup of cold water given in his name does not lose its reward. In Scripture’s economy, no kindness is too small to count.
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Quick answers
- What is the best Bible verse about kindness?
- Ephesians 4:32 is the classic, with 1 Corinthians 13:4, Colossians 3:12, and Proverbs 31:26 close behind.
- What is loving-kindness?
- The KJV’s beautiful word (often for the Hebrew hesed) for God’s steadfast covenant love — mercy that keeps showing up: “thy lovingkindness is better than life” (Psalm 63:3).
- Does kindness include people who don't deserve it?
- Especially them — “love ye your enemies… and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil” (Luke 6:35). Undeserved kindness is the family signature.
