The Bible has a lot to say about kindness. God is portrayed as kind and merciful, and His people are called to reflect His character by being kind to others. Here are some key Bible verses about kindness:
Old Testament Verses on Kindness
The Old Testament often speaks of God’s kindness towards His people. For example:
“But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15).
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8).
God’s people are called to follow His example of kindness. For instance:
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).
“And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8 NIV).
Ruth showed great kindness to her mother-in-law Naomi when her husband died:
“But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you” (Ruth 1:16-17).
Naomi recognized this kindness from Ruth:
“And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law Ruth, “Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead!” And Naomi said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.” (Ruth 2:20).
New Testament Verses on Kindness
Jesus perfectly displayed God’s kindness during His earthly ministry. For example, He had compassion on the hungry crowds and healed the sick (Matthew 14:14, Mark 6:34). He defended the vulnerable and welcomed society’s outcasts (John 8:1-11).
Followers of Christ are called to show the same kindness as their Master. As Paul wrote:
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12).
The fruit of the Spirit includes kindness (Galatians 5:22-23). Kindness should characterize the lives of believers.
Jesus used stories illustrating kindness to teach vital spiritual truths. The Parable of the Good Samaritan told how a man showed exceeding kindness to a stranger in need (Luke 10:25-37). This exemplified the second greatest commandment – to love your neighbor as yourself.
In one of His last prayers before going to the cross, Jesus prayed for God to watch over His disciples in the world. He prayed:
“I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world… Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one” (John 17:15-18, 11b).
Even while facing betrayal and death, Jesus’ prayer revealed His tender care and kindness for His followers.
Examples of Biblical Kindness
The Bible provides many stories that reveal what true kindness looks like in action:
- The Good Samaritan caring for the robbed and beaten man (Luke 10:30-37)
- Rahab protecting the Israelite spies at risk to herself (Joshua 2)
- Abigail intervening to calm David’s anger against her husband Nabal (1 Samuel 25:2-35)
- The people of the island of Malta showing unusual kindness to shipwrecked Paul and his companions (Acts 28:1-2)
- Tabitha (Dorcas) always doing good works and acts of charity for others (Acts 9:36)
True kindness is not merely surface level niceness. It stems from a heart of compassion that motivates concrete actions to meet pressing needs.
Blessings from Practicing Kindness
The Bible notes multiple blessings that come from showing kindness to others:
- It brings joy to the giver (Proverbs 14:21, Acts 20:35).
- It positively impacts others and makes their lives better (Proverbs 11:17, Ephesians 4:32).
- It pleases God (Colossians 3:12, Micah 6:8).
- It stores up eternal rewards (Matthew 25:34-40, Hebrews 6:10).
- It reflects God’s own character (Luke 6:35-36, Ephesians 5:1-2).
In short, kindness brings multiplied blessings circling back to the giver. As Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).
How to Grow in Kindness
Since kindness does not always come naturally, believers must intentionally pursue growth in this area. Here are some tips for cultivating greater kindness:
- Look to God – Only through an understanding of God’s kindness toward us can we find the power to live kindly. Keep your eyes on His mercy and grace (Psalm 117:2, Luke 6:36).
- Pray for help – Ask God to give you a heart of compassion and empathy toward others (Psalm 119:132, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5).
- Study kindness – Meditate on what the Bible teaches about kindness so it shapes your thoughts and desires (Philippians 4:8).
- Change your mindset – Commit to seeing people through God’s eyes of unconditional love (Luke 15:20, Romans 12:10).
- Look for opportunities – Actively look for ways to show kindness in your everyday life (Galatians 6:10).
- Start small – Begin with simple acts of kindness, and your capacity will increase (Hebrews 13:16, 2 Peter 1:5-7).
God’s plan is that His kindness would flow to the world through the lives of His people. As we grow in showing grace and compassion to the people around us, His kingdom advances.
Kindness Leads to Salvation
The Bible indicates that it is ultimately the kindness of God that leads people to repentance and salvation. Paul asked:
“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4).
When believers reflect God’s heart of kindness to others, it softens hearts and open doors to share the gospel. People are drawn to a God who demonstrates such selfless compassion through His children (1 Peter 3:15). Just as God’s kindness led us to salvation, so our kindness can lead others to Christ.
Kindness within the Church
It is important that kindness characterize relationships within the Christian church. As fellow recipients of God’s grace, believers should always be gentle, tenderhearted, and gracious toward one another (Ephesians 4:32). Even corrective discipline should be done in a spirit of kindness (2 Timothy 2:24-26).
The church is designed by God to be an environment where the weak and vulnerable find compassion and mercy rather than condemnation (Romans 15:1, Galatians 6:1-2). When the world sees genuine kindness and care practiced within the church, it catches a glimpse of God’s heart.
Kindness Endures
The Bible tells us that love and kindness are eternal virtues that will outlast even faith and hope. The apostle Paul emphasized:
“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).
As we pursue growth in kindness, we align ourselves with God’s character and priorities. Though cultures and customs may change, showing undeserved favor and compassion to others will always remain central to the heart of God.