What does the Bible say about Kindness? - Scriptures on Being Compassionate and Loving toward Others
First, it is important to clarify what is meant by kindness in the Bible. Biblical kindness is not what some people may think of as being "nice" or "polite." The kindness in scripture is akin to what Jesus said: "love your neighbor as yourself."
True kindness is loving others as yourself and forgiving their trespasses against us as God forgives us. "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." (Ephesians 4:32) Find inspirational scriptures about kindness in this collection of Bible verses. May these scriptures encourage you to love others as God loves you.
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32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
35 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.
17 Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.
8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
35 In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh ; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. 24 Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.