What Does the Bible Say About Kindness?

Kindness runs right through the Bible, reflecting the very heart of God, who is kind even to the ungrateful. Here's what Scripture teaches about kindness and why it matters so much.

Be kind to one another

The Bible's call is simple and direct: 'Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.' Kindness is love made practical — a gentle word, a helping hand, a forgiving spirit.

Clothed with kindness

Kindness is something we're to 'put on' deliberately: 'Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.' It's a character we cultivate and wear, treating others with warmth and grace.

The golden rule

Jesus gave a simple test for kindness: 'as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.' Treat others the way you'd want to be treated. This one principle, lived out, would transform how we treat everyone.

Kindness reflects God

Our kindness is meant to reflect God's kindness to us — and the Bible says it was God's kindness that led us to repentance. Having received such gracious treatment, we extend it to others. In a harsh world, ordinary kindness is a powerful witness to the God who is kind.

The Bible teaches us to be kind to one another, to clothe ourselves with kindness, to treat others as we'd want to be treated, and to reflect the kindness God has shown us. Kindness is love in action — often found in small, ordinary gestures that mean everything to someone struggling. In a harsh world, choose kindness, and let it point others to the God whose kindness reached you.