Kindness is a virtue celebrated throughout the Bible, reflecting God’s compassionate nature and urging believers to embody love and goodwill toward others. The following 20 Bible verses for kindness are selected to illuminate the significance of this virtue in the context of faith and living a life aligned with God’s teachings.
Each verse is accompanied by an expanded commentary to delve into the profound meanings and applications they offer.
Best Bible Verses For Kindness
Ephesians 4:32 (NIV):
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
This verse from Ephesians emphasizes the intertwined nature of kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. It sets the tone for a life marked by the grace and forgiveness received through Christ, compelling believers to extend the same to others.
Proverbs 3:3-4 (NLT):
“Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.”
Proverbs underscores the enduring quality of kindness and loyalty. This verse encourages believers to internalize these virtues, expressing them genuinely and consistently to gain favor with both God and humanity, ultimately cultivating a positive reputation.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV):
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.”
Within the context of the fruits of the Spirit, kindness is highlighted as a significant manifestation. This verse emphasizes that kindness, driven by the Spirit, stands as an essential component of a life aligned with God’s transformative work.
Luke 6:35 (NIV):
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”
In Luke, Jesus challenges believers to extend kindness even to enemies. This radical call to love and do good echoes God’s character, who exhibits kindness even to those who may not reciprocate it. It reveals that kindness is a powerful expression of divine love.
Colossians 3:12 (NIV):
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Colossians encourages believers to embody kindness as part of their identity as God’s chosen and beloved. This verse depicts kindness as a virtue to be intentionally embraced and worn, emphasizing its transformative role in shaping the character of God’s people.
Titus 3:4-5 (NLT):
“But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”
Titus highlights God’s kindness and love as foundational to salvation. This verse underscores that God’s kindness, demonstrated through mercy, is the catalyst for a transformative new life in believers, emphasizing the redemptive power of divine kindness.
Matthew 25:35 (NIV):
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.”
In Matthew, Jesus links acts of kindness to compassionate care for others. This verse illustrates that kindness extends beyond words, manifesting in practical deeds that meet the needs of the hungry, thirsty, and strangers—a powerful expression of Christian love.
Romans 12:10 (NIV):
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Romans emphasizes the selfless nature of kindness, calling believers to prioritize the well-being and honor of others. This verse challenges the tendency towards selfishness, promoting a culture of mutual respect and care within the Christian community.
1 Corinthians 13:4 (NLT):
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”
The famous “love chapter” in Corinthians defines love as patient and kind. This verse positions kindness as an integral aspect of genuine love, reinforcing that love’s expression includes acts of kindness that stem from a patient and compassionate heart.
Luke 10:33-34 (NIV):
“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.”
The parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke vividly illustrates kindness in action. This narrative showcases the Samaritan’s compassion and practical care for a stranger in need, offering a timeless example of selfless kindness to inspire believers.
1 Thessalonians 5:15 (NIV):
“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”
1 Thessalonians challenges the retaliatory instinct, urging believers to choose kindness over revenge. This verse emphasizes the overarching principle of doing good to others, promoting a culture of kindness even in the face of wrongdoing.
Proverbs 19:17 (NLT):
“If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD— and he will repay you!”
Proverbs draws a direct connection between kindness to the poor and lending to the Lord. This verse underscores the spiritual significance of acts of kindness, portraying them as investments with divine repayment, highlighting the eternal impact of such deeds.
Luke 11:13 (NIV):
“If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Luke portrays God’s nature as the ultimate source of kindness. This verse contrasts human kindness with God’s benevolence, affirming that God, in His infinite goodness, provides the Holy Spirit to those who seek Him—a profound expression of divine kindness.
Micah 6:8 (NLT):
“No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Micah distills the essence of goodness, emphasizing the requirement to love mercy. This verse positions kindness as an integral aspect of righteous living, calling believers to actively embrace and express mercy in their interactions with others.
Ephesians 2:7 (NIV):
“in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”
Ephesians points to the future revelation of God’s incomparable grace and kindness. This verse highlights that God’s kindness, demonstrated through Christ, is not only a present reality but an eternal testament to the richness of His love and mercy.
2 Samuel 9:3 (NIV):
“The king asked, ‘Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?’ Ziba answered the king, ‘There is still a son of Jonathan; he is lame in both feet.'”
This narrative in 2 Samuel depicts King David’s quest to show kindness to a descendant of Saul. It illustrates the intentional and searching nature of kindness, demonstrating that acts of kindness require awareness and a genuine desire to extend God’s grace to others.
Proverbs 14:21 (NIV):
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
Proverbs draws a contrast between the sin of despising a neighbor and the blessing of generosity to the poor. This verse underscores that kindness, especially to those in need, is a pathway to divine blessing, emphasizing the moral and spiritual implications of our actions.
Romans 2:4 (NLT):
“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?”
Romans highlights God’s kindness as a transformative force. This verse points to the purpose of divine kindness, urging believers to recognize and respond to God’s patient and tolerant love, which seeks to lead them to repentance and a restored relationship with Him.
Matthew 10:42 (NIV):
“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
In Matthew, Jesus emphasizes the value of even small acts of kindness. This verse affirms that seemingly insignificant deeds, like offering a cup of water, hold eternal significance and are rewarded by God, highlighting the profound impact of simple acts of kindness.
1 Peter 3:8-9 (NIV):
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
1 Peter outlines a comprehensive approach to kindness, encompassing like-mindedness, sympathy, love, compassion, and humility. This verse challenges believers to break the cycle of retaliation and instead respond to evil with blessings, emphasizing the transformative power of kindness in both individual lives and relationships.
In exploring these Bible verses for kindness, the overarching theme is the reflection of God’s character in the lives of believers. These verses not only provide guidance on the nature of kindness but also underscore its transformative power in individual lives and communities. Embracing kindness is not just a moral virtue but a deeply spiritual expression of God’s love and grace.
Read: Best Bible Verses For Journey Mercies (With Bible Meaning)