Topical Bible: Kindness: General Scriptures Concerning

◄ Kindness: General Scriptures Concerning ►

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Kindness is a fundamental virtue in Christian theology, reflecting the character of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is an expression of love and compassion towards others, often manifesting in acts of generosity, forgiveness, and understanding. The Bible provides numerous references to kindness, emphasizing its importance in the life of a believer.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, kindness is often associated with God's covenantal love and mercy. The Hebrew word "chesed" is frequently used to describe God's steadfast love and kindness towards His people. In Micah 6:8, the prophet summarizes what the Lord requires of His people: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" . Here, "mercy" can be understood as kindness, highlighting its significance in righteous living.

Proverbs 11:17 states, "A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself" . This verse underscores the reciprocal nature of kindness, suggesting that those who practice kindness will experience personal blessings.

New Testament References

The New Testament further develops the theme of kindness, particularly through the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them, demonstrating a radical form of kindness (Matthew 5:44).

The Apostle Paul frequently exhorts believers to embody kindness as a fruit of the Spirit. In Galatians 5:22-23, he lists kindness among the fruits of the Spirit, indicating that it is a natural outgrowth of a life led by the Holy Spirit. Additionally, in Ephesians 4:32, Paul writes, "Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you" . This passage connects kindness with forgiveness, reflecting the grace believers have received through Christ.

In Colossians 3:12, Paul encourages the church to "clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience" . This metaphor of clothing suggests that kindness should be an integral and visible part of a Christian's character.

The Example of Jesus

Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of kindness. His interactions with the marginalized, such as the healing of the lepers (Luke 17:11-19) and the forgiveness of the adulterous woman (John 8:1-11), illustrate His compassionate nature. Jesus' life and ministry consistently demonstrated kindness, serving as a model for His followers.

Practical Application

Believers are called to practice kindness in their daily lives, reflecting the love of Christ to the world. This includes acts of service, speaking words of encouragement, and showing empathy and understanding to others. Kindness is not merely an emotion but an active choice to treat others with love and respect, regardless of their actions or status.

In summary, kindness is a central theme in Scripture, deeply rooted in the character of God and the teachings of Jesus. It is a virtue that believers are encouraged to cultivate, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel in their lives.

Nave's Topical Index

Leviticus 19:34
But the stranger that dwells with you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
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Deuteronomy 22:1-4
You shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide yourself from them: you shall in any case bring them again to your brother.
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Psalm 112:5
A good man shows favor, and lends: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
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Proverbs 14:21
He that despises his neighbor sins: but he that has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
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Proverbs 19:22
The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.
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Proverbs 31:26
She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
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Isaiah 11:13
The envy also of Ephraim shall depart, and the adversaries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim.
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Zechariah 7:9,10
Thus speaks the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassions every man to his brother:
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Matthew 5:7,42
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
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Matthew 25:34-36
Then shall the King say to them on his right hand, Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
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Luke 6:30,34,35
Give to every man that asks of you; and of him that takes away your goods ask them not again.
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Acts 20:35
I have showed you all things, how that so laboring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
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Romans 12:15
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
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Romans 15:1,2,5
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
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1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity braggs not itself, is not puffed up,
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Galatians 6:1,2,10
Brothers, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.
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Ephesians 4:32
And be you kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.
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Colossians 3:12,14
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;
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1 Timothy 5:9,10
Let not a widow be taken into the number under three score years old, having been the wife of one man.
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Hebrews 5:2
Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.
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1 Peter 3:8,9
Finally, be you all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brothers, be pitiful, be courteous:
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1 Peter 4:8
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
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2 Peter 1:7
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
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1 John 3:17,18
But whoever has this world's good, and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwells the love of God in him?
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Library

Eusebius: Constantine. General Index.
... mildness, mercifulness, and forbearance, kindness, generosity, prodigality ... father,
friend, as general, legislator, statesman ... copies of the Scriptures, [3533]548 ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/eusebius constantine general index.htm

Concerning "Peace" and what is Meant by "Very Being" Itself, "Very ...
... Peace and of all Peace, both in general and in ... no need to tell how the loving-kindness
of Christ ... confirmation drawn from the holy testimony of the Scriptures. ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter xi concerning peace and.htm

On Divine Predestination
... Things receive from the Apostle the general appellation of ... by the gratuitous and
peculiar kindness of God ... concerning it beyond what the Scriptures say, that it ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 15 on divine predestination.htm

Dr. Martin Luther Concerning Penitence and Indulgences.
... to be proved by any reasoning or any scriptures, that they ... as the Pope has over
purgatory in general, such has ... Again; what is this new kindness of God and the ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/disputation of dr martin luther.htm

Preface to the Emperor Charles V.
... ourselves in mutual charity, leniency, and kindness, in order ... manner of doctrine
from the Holy Scriptures and the ... Pontiff for the convening of a General Council ...
/.../various/the augsburg confession of faith/preface to the emperor charles.htm

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and ...
... Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With Wicked And ... state of the quarrel,
or choose a better general(396) for ... A man's desire is his kindness and a ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section v scriptures showing the.htm

What the Scriptures Principally Teach: the Ruin and Recovery of ...
... and pity towards lost sinners "The kindness and love ... them are the abridgment of the
Scriptures,"faith and ... promises of the gospel, albeit general, as "worthy ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture vi what the scriptures.htm

The General Conference of 1820
... begun, with that frankness and kindness which become ... the community with the sacred
Scriptures, the society recommended to the General Conference to ...
/.../chapter 5 the general conference.htm

The Second Helvetic Confession, AD 1566.
... who died at Zurich, with great kindness and liberality ... comfort"that God's promises
are general to believers ... out of the Holy Scriptures concerning the mystery ...
/.../ 55 the second helvetic.htm

Of Passages from the Holy Scriptures, and from the Apocrypha ...
... The true religion which is delivered in the Scriptures, and which ... custom is just
a kind of general pestilence in ... when presented to them by the kindness of God ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/of passages from the holy.htm