According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, to be kind means to “have a sympathetic or helpful nature.” Kindness is different than niceness. It goes deeper — it’s a genuine reflection of the heart.
When we’re kind, we’re also gentle, compassionate and affectionate toward others, despite how they treat us in return. Jesus set the ultimate example of kindness with his life. And as his followers, we’re called to do the same.
While following his example can be hard, God equips us with his Word. Let’s dive into some Bible verses about kindness.
All Scriptures are written in NIV unless otherwise noted.
8 Bible Verses About God’s Kindness
God shows his kindness throughout the Bible. Let’s look at some examples.
1. Jeremiah 9:24
“But let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.
2. Acts 14:17
Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.
3. Ephesians 2:6-7
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 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.
4. 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?
5. Isaiah 54:8
“In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you,” says the Lord your Redeemer.
6. Nehemiah 9:17
They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them.
7. Isaiah 54:10
“Those the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
8. 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. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
8 Bible Verses About Showing Kindness to Others
We know that God calls us to be kind, but where do we direct our kindness? The short answer is this: Be kind to everyone.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Acts 20:35
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.”
4. Proverbs 11:17
Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.
5. Leviticus 19:34
“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
6. Matthew 7:12
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
7. Luke 6:31
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
8. Hebrews 13:2
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
5 Bible Verses About Being Kind to Those in Poverty
When God tells us to be kind to everyone, that includes those in desperate need around the world. God’s heart is for the impoverished who must often live without essentials like nutritious food and clean water. And he’s given us the opportunity to serve them in kindness. In fact, it’s a command.
1. Proverbs 19:17
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.
2. Zechariah 7:10
Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.
3. Proverbs 14:21
It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
4. Proverbs 21:21
Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
5. 1 John 3:17
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?
8 Ways to Be Kind From the Bible
Did you know: Kindness is one of the ways you can tell someone is a follower of Christ. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “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.”
While kindness should come naturally to us as followers of Jesus, sometimes we need some extra encouragement or ideas to get us started. Here are some examples from the Bible of ways to be kind.
1. Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
2. Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
3. Colossians 3:12-13
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
4. 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.
5. Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
6. 1 Peter 1:5-7
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
7. Luke 6:30
Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.
8. Ephesians 4:29
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
