The term "kind-hearted" refers to a disposition characterized by benevolence, compassion, and a genuine concern for the well-being of others. In the biblical context, being kind-hearted is often associated with the virtues of love, mercy, and grace, reflecting the character of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of kindness is deeply rooted in Scripture, where it is frequently highlighted as a fruit of the Spirit and a hallmark of a life transformed by faith. In Galatians 5:22-23 , the Apostle Paul lists kindness as one of the fruits of the Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." This passage underscores the idea that kindness is a divine attribute imparted to believers through the Holy Spirit.

Old Testament Insights

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "kindness" is "chesed," which conveys a sense of steadfast love and mercy. This term is frequently used to describe God's covenantal love for His people. For example, in Psalm 136:1 , the psalmist declares, "Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His loving devotion endures forever." Here, God's enduring kindness is celebrated as a central aspect of His nature.

The account of Ruth provides a vivid illustration of human kindness. Ruth's loyalty and care for her mother-in-law Naomi exemplify a kind-hearted spirit. In Ruth 1:16-17 , Ruth famously pledges, "Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD punish me, and ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me."

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ embodies the ultimate example of kindness. His ministry was marked by acts of compassion and mercy, reaching out to the marginalized and offering healing and hope. In Matthew 9:36 , it is written, "When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."

The Apostle Paul frequently exhorts believers to emulate Christ's kindness. In Ephesians 4:32 , he instructs, "Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." This call to kindness is not merely a suggestion but a command that reflects the transformative power of the Gospel in the life of a believer.

Practical Application

Being kind-hearted involves more than mere sentiment; it requires action. The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) illustrates this principle vividly. The Samaritan's willingness to help a wounded stranger, despite cultural animosities, demonstrates the kind of selfless love and compassion that Jesus calls His followers to exhibit.

In daily life, believers are encouraged to practice kindness in their interactions with others, reflecting the love of Christ in tangible ways. Acts of kindness, whether small or large, serve as a testimony to the transformative power of God's love and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life.

Conclusion

The biblical call to be kind-hearted is a profound invitation to reflect God's character in our relationships and interactions. Through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit, believers are equipped to live out this virtue, bringing glory to God and blessing to others.(a.) Having kindness of nature; sympathetic; characterized by a humane disposition; as, a kind-hearted landlord.2155. eusplagchnos -- tenderhearted, compassionate
... Word Origin from eu and splagchnon Definition tenderhearted, compassionate NASB
Word Usage kindhearted (1), tender-hearted (1). pitiful, tender-hearted. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2155.htm - 7k

3675. homophron -- agreeing
... 3675 ("of the same perspective") is used only in 1 Pet 3:8: "To sum up, all of you
be ['of one mind,' 3675 ], sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3675.htm - 7k

Faith (Preached Before the Queen at Windsor, December 5, 1865)
... Meanwhile, we are sorry (for the English are a kindhearted people) for the victims
of our ... for half an hour; and glad too (for we are a kind-hearted people) to ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon xiii faith preached before.htm

Introduction.
... a great variety of persons"the apostles Peter, Philip, and Andrew, an ass-driver,
the Jewess Rebecca, a wicked prefect and his kind-hearted son, and finally ...
/.../unknown/the acts of xanthippe and polyxena/introduction.htm

The Church Staff
... SB Halliday had seen considerable service in mission work in New York City, was
a man of genial character, great sympathy, kindhearted, and painstaking in the ...
/.../griswold/sixty years with plymouth church/the church staff.htm

Jeroboam
... he was preparing the instrument of his son's ruin, and that this Ephraimite would
prove to be like the viper Aesop tells of, which a kind-hearted man took in ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/jeroboam.htm

Jacob and Esau
... Esau, we read, was a hunter"a man of the field; a bold, fierce, active man; generous,
brave, and kind-hearted, as the end of his story shows: but with just ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon vi jacob and esau.htm

The Jewish Rebellions
... luxurious man. He wrote one of the foulest books which ever disgraced the pen
of man. But he was kind-hearted, humane, rational. He had ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xv the jewish rebellions.htm

How John Became a Man
... The kind-hearted man had never forgotten the boy who had endeavored to make his
escape to the barn rather than to come into the sitting-room at the worship hour ...
/.../byrum/how john became a man/chapter xi how john became.htm

The Secret of Success.
... son. She was a good kind-hearted woman, who had shown much hospitality
to the prophet Elijah [Transcriber's note: Elisha?]. One ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xlii the secret of success.htm

The Primitive Church.
... He was a very kind-hearted man, and used to say he had lost a day whenever he had
spent one without doing a good action; but he was soon poisoned by his wicked ...
/.../yonge/the chosen people/lesson xxiv the primitive church.htm

The Converted Infidel
... Strictly moral, intelligent and well read, kind-hearted and naturally benevolent,
he attracted all classes of community to himself and wielded great influence ...
/.../touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/the converted infidel.htm

Kindhearted (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Kindhearted (1 Occurrence). 1 Peter 3:8 In conclusion,
all of you should be of one mind, quick to sympathize ...
/k/kindhearted.htm - 6k

Kind-hearted (3 Occurrences)
Kind-hearted. Kindhearted, Kind-hearted. Kindle . Noah Webster's Dictionary ...
(BBE). Kindhearted, Kind-hearted. Kindle . Reference Bible.
/k/kind-hearted.htm - 7k

Kindle (25 Occurrences)

/k/kindle.htm - 15k

Kindest (1 Occurrence)

/k/kindest.htm - 6k

Unwilling (30 Occurrences)
... Matthew 1:19 But Joseph her husband, being a kind-hearted man and unwilling publicly
to disgrace her, had determined to release her privately from the betrothal ...
/u/unwilling.htm - 14k

Release (61 Occurrences)
... Matthew 1:19 But Joseph her husband, being a kind-hearted man and unwilling publicly
to disgrace her, had determined to release her privately from the betrothal ...
/r/release.htm - 26k

Disgrace (73 Occurrences)
... Matthew 1:19 But Joseph her husband, being a kind-hearted man and unwilling publicly
to disgrace her, had determined to release her privately from the betrothal ...
/d/disgrace.htm - 27k

Determined (89 Occurrences)
... Matthew 1:19 But Joseph her husband, being a kind-hearted man and unwilling publicly
to disgrace her, had determined to release her privately from the betrothal ...
/d/determined.htm - 33k

Privately (29 Occurrences)
... Matthew 1:19 But Joseph her husband, being a kind-hearted man and unwilling publicly
to disgrace her, had determined to release her privately from the betrothal ...
/p/privately.htm - 15k

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