Kindness, a virtue deeply embedded in the fabric of Christian ethics, is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. In this compilation, we explore 30 Bible verses about kindness, each accompanied by a commentary.
These verses guide readers to understand the biblical perspective on kindness, revealing it as a reflection of God’s character and a fundamental aspect of Christian living. As we delve into these passages, may the richness of biblical wisdom inspire and encourage a lifestyle marked by kindness towards others.
Bible verses about kindness
Proverbs 19:22 (NKJV):
“What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar.”
Commentary: Proverbs 19:22 highlights the esteemed value of kindness, emphasizing that it is a quality desired in individuals. This verse challenges the allure of deceit by asserting that even a poor person demonstrating kindness holds greater worth than a dishonest person.
Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV):
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
Commentary: Ephesians 4:32 sets a foundational principle for Christian conduct—kindness rooted in the forgiveness extended by God through Christ. This verse challenges believers to exhibit a tenderhearted and forgiving attitude toward others, mirroring the divine kindness they have received.
Colossians 3:12 (NKJV):
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.”
Commentary: Colossians 3:12 frames kindness as an integral aspect of the Christian identity. This verse calls believers the elect of God, urging them to clothe themselves with qualities such as kindness that reflect their holy and beloved status in Christ.
Luke 6:35 (NKJV):
“But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.”
Commentary: Luke 6:35 challenges conventional notions by urging love and kindness even towards enemies. This verse draws a parallel between such kindness and the divine nature, emphasizing that God’s kindness extends to the unthankful and evil, serving as a model for believers.
2 Samuel 9:3 (NKJV):
“Then the king said, ‘Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?’ And Ziba said to the king, ‘There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet.'”
Commentary: 2 Samuel 9:3 narrates King David’s quest to show kindness to a descendant of Saul, highlighting the concept of kindness as an expression of God’s character. This verse illustrates David’s desire to extend God-like kindness, irrespective of societal expectations.
Titus 3:4-5 (NKJV):
“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”
Commentary: Titus 3:4-5 anchors the concept of kindness in the redemptive work of God. This passage underscores that salvation is not earned through human efforts but is a result of God’s kindness and love, manifested through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 2:4 (NKJV):
“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”
Commentary: Romans 2:4 emphasizes that God’s kindness, expressed through His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, is intended to lead humanity to repentance. This verse reveals the transformative power of divine kindness in drawing hearts towards a change of mind and direction.
Matthew 25:35-36 (NKJV):
“for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.”
Commentary: Matthew 25:35-36 portrays acts of kindness as direct expressions of care for Christ Himself. This passage challenges believers to recognize the presence of Jesus in the marginalized and oppressed, prompting acts of kindness as a response to His needs.
1 Corinthians 13:4 (NKJV):
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up.”
Commentary: 1 Corinthians 13:4, often referred to as the “Love Chapter,” places kindness at the heart of genuine love. This verse defines love as patient and kind, setting a high standard for the manner in which believers are called to express love towards others.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV):
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
Commentary: Galatians 5:22-23 identifies kindness as a fruit of the Holy Spirit. This passage highlights that genuine kindness is not a mere human effort but a supernatural outcome of the Spirit’s work within believers, forming part of the multifaceted fruit produced by a Spirit-filled life.
Psalm 117:2 (NKJV):
“For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!”
Commentary: Psalm 117:2 declares the greatness of God’s merciful kindness, underscoring the enduring truth of the Lord. This verse invites believers to praise the Lord for His boundless and enduring kindness, acknowledging it as a central aspect of His character.
Ruth 2:20 (NKJV):
“Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, ‘Blessed be he of the Lord, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!’ And Naomi said to her, ‘This man is a relation of ours, one of our close relatives.'”
Commentary: Ruth 2:20 acknowledges the continuity of divine kindness. Naomi blesses Boaz for not forsaking God’s kindness to the living and the dead, recognizing his role as a relative and an instrument of God’s ongoing benevolence.
Luke 10:37 (NKJV):
“And he said, ‘He who showed mercy on him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.'”
Commentary: In Luke 10:37, Jesus concludes the parable of the Good Samaritan by highlighting the Samaritan’s kindness and mercy. This verse serves as a direct command to imitate such acts of mercy, compelling believers to go and do likewise in demonstrating kindness to others.
Bible verses about kindness
Micah 6:8 (NKJV):
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”
Commentary: Micah 6:8 encapsulates the essence of godly living by emphasizing the importance of mercy. This verse frames kindness as an integral component of righteous living, portraying it as a requirement to love mercy and walk humbly with God.
1 Samuel 15:6 (NKJV):
“Then Saul said to the Kenites, ‘Go, depart, get down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed kindness to all the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt.’ So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.”
Commentary: 1 Samuel 15:6 commends the Kenites for their past kindness to the Israelites. This verse illustrates that acts of kindness, even in the distant past, are recognized and honored, revealing God’s acknowledgment of and reward for benevolent actions.
Psalm 145:17 (NKJV):
“The Lord is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works.”
Commentary: Psalm 145:17 affirms God’s righteousness and grace in all His ways. This verse suggests that divine kindness is inherent in God’s actions, emphasizing that every work of the Lord is marked by His gracious and benevolent nature.
Zechariah 7:9 (NKJV):
“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion Everyone to his brother.'”
Commentary: Zechariah 7:9 pairs justice with mercy and compassion, presenting kindness as a divine expectation. This verse calls believers to actively demonstrate mercy and compassion, portraying kindness as an essential aspect of living in alignment with God’s will.
Psalm 112:5 (NKJV):
“A good man deals graciously and lends; He will guide his affairs with discretion.”
Commentary: Psalm 112:5 depicts the conduct of a good person as gracious and generous. This verse associates kindness with both gracious dealings and lending, suggesting that a person of virtue expresses kindness through benevolent actions and financial generosity.
Proverbs 14:21 (NKJV):
“He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.”
Commentary: Proverbs 14:21 contrasts sin with happiness, linking the latter to showing mercy to the poor. This verse underscores that kindness towards those in need brings happiness and fulfillment, aligning with God’s heart for compassion.
2 Chronicles 10:7 (NKJV):
“And they spoke to him, saying, ‘If you are kind to these people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be your servants forever.'”
Commentary: 2 Chronicles 10:7 offers strategic advice on leadership, emphasizing the impact of kindness in fostering loyalty. This verse suggests that kindness, expressed through pleasing words and actions, establishes enduring relationships and allegiance.
Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV):
“The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: ‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.'”
Commentary: Jeremiah 31:3 unveils God’s everlasting love expressed through lovingkindness. This verse reveals that God’s draw towards His people is characterized by kindness, illustrating a divine pattern that believers are called to emulate in their relationships.
Proverbs 21:21 (NKJV):
“He who follows righteousness and mercy Finds life, righteousness, and honor.”
Commentary: Proverbs 21:21 intertwines righteousness and mercy, portraying them as pathways to life, righteousness, and honor. This verse conveys that a life marked by both righteousness and kindness leads to abundant blessings and favor.
Romans 12:10 (NKJV):
“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.”
Commentary: Romans 12:10 advocates for kindly affection and brotherly love among believers. This verse challenges individuals to prioritize and honor one another through acts of kindness, fostering a sense of familial affection within the Christian community.
1 Kings 3:6 (NKJV):
“And Solomon said: ‘You have shown great mercy to Your servant David my father, because he walked before You in truth, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with You; You have continued this great kindness for him, and You have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.'”
Commentary: 1 Kings 3:6 recounts Solomon’s acknowledgment of God’s great mercy and kindness toward David. This verse highlights divine kindness as a response to a righteous and upright walk before God, affirming that God’s benevolence extends to future generations.
Psalm 103:8 (NKJV):
“The Lord is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.”
Commentary: Psalm 103:8 characterizes the Lord as merciful, gracious, and abounding in mercy. This verse accentuates God’s kindness by emphasizing His compassionate and patient nature, inviting believers to emulate such attributes in their interactions with others.
Proverbs 31:26 (NKJV):
“She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.”
Commentary: Proverbs 31:26 extols the virtues of a wise and virtuous woman, emphasizing the law of kindness on her tongue. This verse underscores that wisdom is accompanied by gracious speech, portraying kindness as a hallmark of genuine wisdom.
Luke 7:47 (NKJV):
“Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”
Commentary: In Luke 7:47, Jesus associates forgiveness with love and kindness. This verse suggests that a deep awareness of one’s forgiven sins leads to a greater capacity for love, emphasizing the transformative power of divine kindness in eliciting love from repentant hearts.
Psalm 141:5 (NKJV):
“Let the righteous strike me; It shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; It shall be as excellent oil; Let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked.”
Commentary: Psalm 141:5 views correction from the righteous as a kindness. This verse recognizes the value of rebuke in refining character, likening it to excellent oil that brings about spiritual growth and transformation.
Jeremiah 9:24 (NKJV):
“But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,’ says the Lord.”
Commentary: Jeremiah 9:24 celebrates understanding and knowing the Lord as a source of glory. This verse highlights that God delights in exercising lovingkindness, presenting it as a reason for believers to boast in their relationship with the Lord.
1 Peter 3:8 (NKJV):
“Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous.”
Commentary: 1 Peter 3:8 encapsulates several aspects of kindness, including compassion, brotherly love, tenderheartedness, and courtesy. This verse sets a comprehensive standard for interpersonal relationships within the Christian community, fostering an environment marked by genuine and multifaceted kindness.
Conclusion: Bible verses about kindness
These 30 Bible verses about kindness provide a robust foundation for understanding the biblical perspective on this virtuous quality. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, kindness is portrayed as an essential expression of God’s character and a defining trait of those who seek to follow His ways.
The accompanying commentaries offer insights into the context, meaning, and application of each verse, inviting readers to cultivate a lifestyle of kindness rooted in the love and grace they have received from God. As believers engage with these passages, may they be inspired to embody the transformative power of kindness in their interactions with others, reflecting the image of a kind and compassionate God.
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