5541. chrésteuomai

Lexical Summary

chrésteuomai: To be kind, to show oneself useful or benevolent.

Original Word: χρηστεύομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: chrésteuomai
Pronunciation: khray-styoo'-om-ahee
Phonetic Spelling: (khraste-yoo'-om-ahee)
KJV: be kind
NASB: kind
Word Origin: [middle voice from G5543 (χρηστός - good)]

1. to show oneself useful, i.e. act benevolently

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

be kind.

Middle voice from chrestos; to show oneself useful, i.e. Act benevolently -- be kind.

see GREEK chrestos

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from chréstos
Definition
to be kind
NASB Translation
kind (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 5541: χρηστεύομαι

χρηστεύομαι; (χρηστός, which see); to show oneself mild, to be kind, use kindness: 1 Corinthians 13:4. (Ecclesiastical writings, as Eusebius, h. e. 5, 1, 46; τίνι, toward one, Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 13, 2 [ET]; 14, 3 [ET].)

Topical Lexicon

Definition and Conceptual Background

The verb χρηστεύομαι (chresteuomai) expresses active goodness that meets real need with gentle grace. It is more than a pleasant disposition; it is benevolence that takes concrete form. Classical sources use the cognate term for helpfulness in civic life, and the Septuagint often renders Hebrew חֶסֶד (ḥesed, covenant loyalty) with related words, linking kindness to steadfast love. Within the New Testament this single verb crystallizes the moral beauty of love that serves.

Occurrence in Scripture

1 Corinthians 13:4 supplies the term’s sole New Testament appearance: “Love is patient, love is kind”. Paul places χρηστεύομαι second in a chain of fifteen descriptors, setting it beside μακροθυμεῖ (“is patient”) to present a complementary pair—long-suffering that endures provocation and kindness that proactively blesses.

Relationship to Divine Character

Scripture repeatedly portrays God’s own nature as kind. Psalm 145:17 declares, “The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds” (LXX uses χρηστός). Titus 3:4 speaks of “the kindness and love of God our Savior.” By choosing χρηστεύομαι for the profile of agapē, Paul roots Christian love in the character of the Lord who “causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good” (Matthew 5:45). Thus the virtue is not optional courtesy but an imitation of the Creator’s disposition toward His creatures.

Kindness as a Manifestation of Love

Kindness translates love into action:
• It initiates good (Luke 6:35).
• It softens speech (Proverbs 15:1).
• It disarms hostility (Romans 12:20).

In Galatians 5:22 “kindness” (χρηστότης) appears as fruit of the Spirit, demonstrating that the believer’s capacity to practice χρηστεύομαι flows from the indwelling Spirit who reproduces God’s nature in the heart.

Old Testament Parallels and LXX Background

The Septuagint employs χρηστός and cognates for God’s covenant mercy (e.g., Psalm 103:8), providing canonical continuity: the kindness lauded in 1 Corinthians 13 is the kindness that preserved Israel through exile (Isaiah 54:8). Such parallels underscore that the virtue is covenantal, loyal, and steadfast, not sentimental or fleeting.

Theological Implications

1. Christological: Jesus embodies divine kindness in His earthly ministry—touching lepers (Mark 1:41), feeding multitudes (Mark 8:2), inviting children (Mark 10:14).
2. Soteriological: Salvation itself is framed as a revelation of kindness (Ephesians 2:7), making the believer both recipient and agent of grace.
3. Ecclesiological: Congregational life is to be marked by mutual kindness (Ephesians 4:32). Paul corrects Corinthian divisiveness by spotlighting the virtue their fellowship lacked.

Practical Applications for Ministry

• Pastoral Care: Kindness listens before speaking, offering counsel seasoned with grace (Colossians 4:6).
• Evangelism: Acts 28:2 shows that “unusual kindness” opens doors for the gospel; compassionate deeds authenticate proclamation.
• Conflict Resolution: Proverbs 25:15 notes that gentle patience breaks resistance; pairing it with kindness fulfills Paul’s twin virtues.
• Social Outreach: James 1:27 calls for visiting orphans and widows; kindness moves beyond sympathy to tangible service.

Historical Reception and Church Teaching

Patristic writers viewed χρηστεύομαι as essential to agapē. Chrysostom remarks that kindness makes love “a fountain sending forth a thousand streams of benefit.” Medieval theologians counted it among the seven virtues opposing envy. Reformers highlighted kindness as evidence of regenerative faith, and modern evangelical missions regard practical kindness—hospitals, schools, relief work—as integral to gospel witness.

Conclusion

χρηστεύομαι encapsulates love’s outward face: an active, gentle generosity mirroring God’s own heart. Appearing but once in the New Testament, it nonetheless carries rich biblical continuity and practical weight, calling every follower of Christ to manifest benevolence that serves, heals, and draws others to the Savior whose kindness leads to repentance (Romans 2:4).

Forms and Transliterations

χρηστευεται χρηστεύεται chresteuetai chresteúetai chrēsteuetai chrēsteúetai

Englishman's Concordance

1 Corinthians 13:4 V-PIM/P-3S
GRK: ἀγάπη μακροθυμεῖ χρηστεύεται ἡ ἀγάπη
NAS: love is kind [and] is not jealous;
KJV: suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity
INT: Love has patience is kind love

Strong's Greek 5541
1 Occurrence

χρηστεύεται — 1 Occ.