45 Bible Verses About Kindness
Kindness is presented throughout Scripture as a reflection of God's own character.
Bible Verses
45
carefully curated passages
How to use this page
Read each verse with its context explanation. Bookmark the ones that speak to you and return often as your situation changes.
What the Bible Says About Kindness
Kindness is presented throughout Scripture as a reflection of God's own character.
Ephesians 4:32 KJV
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”
Context & Meaning
Paul grounds the command to kindness in the forgiveness believers have already received from God.
Proverbs 19:22 KJV
“The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.”
Context & Meaning
Solomon prizes a person's kindness above material status or impressive words.
Luke 6:35 KJV
“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.”
Context & Meaning
Jesus calls for kindness that mirrors God's own indiscriminate generosity toward ungrateful people.
Proverbs 11:17 KJV
“The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.”
Context & Meaning
Kindness benefits the giver as much as the recipient, while cruelty harms the one who practises it.
Micah 6:8 KJV
“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?”
Context & Meaning
Micah condenses God's requirement to three things, one of which is loving mercy, an act of kindness.
Ruth 1:8 KJV
“And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.”
Context & Meaning
Naomi blesses her daughters-in-law with the same loyal kindness they had shown her family.
Galatians 5:22 KJV
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.”
Context & Meaning
Gentleness and goodness, expressions of kindness, are listed among the Spirit's fruit in a believer's life.
Proverbs 31:26 KJV
“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”
Context & Meaning
The virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 is known for wisdom and kindness that characterise her speech.
Colossians 3:12 KJV
“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.”
Context & Meaning
Paul lists kindness as an essential garment to be deliberately worn as part of the new identity in Christ.
Romans 2:4 KJV
“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
Context & Meaning
God's kindness and patience, not severity, are presented as the means that lead people to repentance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bible say about being kind?
Ephesians 4:32 directly commands kindness, grounding it in the kindness God showed us through Christ's forgiveness.
Is kindness a fruit of the Holy Spirit?
Yes, Galatians 5:22 lists goodness and gentleness (both expressions of kindness) among the Spirit's fruit.
What is the difference between kindness and love in the Bible?
1 Corinthians 13:4 presents kindness as an attribute of love, love acts with kindness. Kindness is love in practical expression.
Should Christians be kind to enemies?
Luke 6:35 commands it, pointing to God's own example of being kind to the ungrateful and evil.
What is lovingkindness in the Bible?
The Hebrew word hesed, often translated "lovingkindness" or "steadfast love," describes God's loyal, covenant-keeping kindness, it appears over 200 times in the Old Testament.