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Bible verses
Bible Verses About Kindness
What does the Bible say about kindness? That we are to be tenderhearted toward one another, reflecting the God who has been so kind to us. Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:12, Proverbs 11:17 are among the clearest passages.
Bible verses about kindness
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another.”
Ephesians 4:32 · King James Version (public domain)
“Put on therefore... kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.”
Colossians 3:12 · King James Version (public domain)
“The merciful man doeth good to his own soul.”
Proverbs 11:17 · King James Version (public domain)
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men.”
Galatians 6:10 · King James Version (public domain)
“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,”
Titus 3:4 · King James Version (public domain)
The whole gospel flows from the kindness and love of God our Saviour appearing to us.
“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”
Luke 6:35 · King James Version (public domain)
Jesus calls us to be kind even to the unthankful, because that is exactly how God treats us.
“And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”
2 Peter 1:7 · King James Version (public domain)
Brotherly kindness is named as a grace we are to add and grow into as we mature.
“The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.”
Proverbs 19:22 · King James Version (public domain)
The thing most desired in a person is kindness, worth more than any riches.
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
Micah 6:8 · King James Version (public domain)
God's ask is simple and searching: do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him.
“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”
Proverbs 31:26 · King James Version (public domain)
The honored woman opens her mouth with wisdom, and the law of kindness governs her tongue.
“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians 2:7 · King James Version (public domain)
God will forever display His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
“Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:”
Zechariah 7:9 · King James Version (public domain)
The Lord commands us to execute true judgment and show mercy and compassion to one another.
“And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.”
Ruth 2:20 · King James Version (public domain)
Boaz's kindness to a poor widow becomes a picture of God's steadfast care that never leaves us.
How these verses point to Christ
These verses are not slogans to prop yourself up. Every true word the Bible speaks about kindness finds its yes in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). He is where kindness, rightly understood, was always leading; come to Him and receive what no verse alone can give.
You do not have to carry this alone
On The Living Bread you can read these passages in full, ask Simon what they mean, hear how Christ has met others in the same place, and pray them with a community that will pray for you by name. You are welcome exactly as you are.
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