God’s love and grace for others are reflected in the powerful energy of kindness. Numerous scriptures in the Bible exhort believers to be kind, patient, generous, and compassionate. Scripture emphasizes the value of treating people with love and respect, whether it means being kind in your interactions, deeds, or words.
You can be inspired to follow Jesus Christ’s example and develop a kind heart in all facets of your life by reading these 30 of the best Bible verses about kindness. Allow these scriptures to serve as a guide for showing others kindness as a way to demonstrate God’s love.
The Essence and Benefits of Kindness
According to the Bible, kindness is more than simply a simple deed; it is a manifestation of God’s compassion and love for people. It entails treating people with kindness, compassion, tolerance, and love—even when they don’t deserve it. Since it originates from a place of humility, empathy, and grace, kindness is fundamentally rooted in the heart. By practicing kindness, we adhere to Jesus’ teachings, which placed a strong emphasis on treating our neighbors with respect.
Kindness has several significant advantages. Since kindness is in line with God’s heart, it promotes inner peace, joy, and fulfillment for the giver. It fosters harmony, lessens conflict, and strengthens bonds between people.
How to Use Bible Verses about Being Kind
You may change your relationships and everyday life by applying Bible texts on kindness. By considering verses like Ephesians 4:32, which states, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you,” you can develop a compassionate heart that influences how you interact with other people.
You can have long-lasting, beneficial effects on your spiritual and personal lives by incorporating these scriptures into your behavior, whether it be by serving others (Matthew 25:40) or using loving words (Proverbs 16:24). The more you absorb these lessons, the more you will naturally be nice to others and show God’s love in all that you do.
30 Best Bible Verses about Being Kind
Here are 30 of the best Bible verses about being kind, each with a meaningful message to inspire kindness in your life:
Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Message: Kindness goes hand in hand with forgiveness. Just as God forgives us, we are called to extend that same kindness to others.
Colossians 3:12 – “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Message: Kindness is a part of our identity as God’s people, and it should be reflected in how we treat others.
Proverbs 16:24 – “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Message: Our words have the power to heal. Use kind words to uplift others and bring sweetness to their lives.
Luke 6:31—”Do”to others as you would have them do to you.”
Message: The Golden Rule calls us to treat others with kindness and respect, just as we desire to be treated.
Proverbs “11:17—”Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.”
Message: Kindness is not only a blessing to others but also to ourselves, bringing peace and blessings into our own lives.
Matthew “5:7—”Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Message: Kindness involves showing mercy. When we extend mercy to others, we too will receive it from God.
Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Message: Kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. As we grow in the Spirit, kindness will naturally overflow from our hearts.
Romans 12:10 – “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Message: True kindness comes from a place of love and humility, honoring others before ourselves.
1 Corinthians 13:4 – “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy; it does not boast; it is not proud.”
Message: Kindness is an essential aspect of love. It is patient, humble, and selfless, demonstrating God’s love to others.
1 Thessalonians 5:15 – “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”
Message: We are called to respond to wrongdoings with kindness, choosing goodness over retaliation.
Proverbs 3:3-4 – “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
Message: Let kindness and faithfulness be the foundation of your character, leading to favor with both God and others.
Romans 2:4 – “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?”
Message: God’s kindness leads us to repentance, showing us the way to a changed life. We should offer the same kindness to others.
Ephesians 2:7 – “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.”
Message: God’s kindness toward us through Christ is immeasurable. We are called to reflect that same kindness to others.
Titus 3:4-5 – “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”
Message: God’s kindness is shown through His mercy, and it is through His kindness that we are saved.
Matthew 25:40 – “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'”
Message: Acts of kindness, even toward the least of these, are acts of service to Christ Himself.
2 Samuel 9:7 – “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan.”
Message: Kindness is shown not only because of what others have done for us, but as a way to honor relationships and promises.
Proverbs 19:22 – “What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.”
Message: True kindness is born from genuine love, which is more valuable than material wealth.
Luke 6:35 – “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.”
Message: God’s kindness extends even to those who do not deserve it. We are called to love and be kind even to our enemies.
Proverbs 31:26 – “She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”
Message: Kindness and wisdom go hand in hand. True kindness is often expressed through wise words and thoughtful actions.
1 Peter 3:8-9 – “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.”
Message: Kindness involves compassion and humility, even when faced with evil or insult.
Psalm 145:17 – “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.”
Message: God’s kindness is shown through His righteousness and faithfulness, which we are called to reflect in our lives.
Proverbs 4:7 – “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”
Message: A wise person understands the importance of kindness, as it comes from a heart of humility and understanding.
Romans 12:20 – “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Message: Kindness can transform even the hardest hearts. By responding to enemies with kindness, we may soften their hearts.
Proverbs 12:25 – “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”
Message: Kindness has the power to uplift and comfort, offering relief and encouragement to those who are burdened.
1 John 4:7 – “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”
Message: Kindness is rooted in love, which comes from God. When we practice kindness, we reflect God’s love to the world.
Galatians 6:10 – “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Message: Kindness is to be shown to all people, especially fellow believers. Take every opportunity to do good and spread kindness.
Proverbs 14:21 – “It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.”
Message: Kindness to those in need is a sign of righteousness, and it brings blessing from God.
James 2:8 – “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.”
Message: Kindness is closely linked to loving others as ourselves, which is a central command in Scripture.
2 Corinthians 6:6 – “We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.”
Message: Kindness is a testimony of the Holy Spirit working in us and a reflection of God’s love.
Hebrews 13:1-2 – “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
Message: Kindness to others, including strangers, is an act of love that can have surprising, God-ordained results.
Summary
These 30 Bible passages about kindness offer insightful advice on leading a life that is characterized by love, humility, and compassion. God’s character is characterized by kindness, and we are obligated to emulate that kindness in our day-to-day relationships.
Kindness is about elevating others and being selfless, which includes loving enemies and providing forgiveness and mercy. Kindness can change, heal, and enrich people’s lives—our own and others’—as these scriptures demonstrate. By being kind, we not only follow God’s instructions but also feel the happiness and tranquility that come from living according to His desire.
