Kindness

The quality of compassion and generosity, characteristic of God's dealings towards the weak and poor, and demanded of believers. The kindness is also shown in the words and deeds of Jesus Christ.

The kindness of God

To all

Acts 14:17 Paul to the pagans at Lystra. See also Jeremiah 9:24; Luke 6:35

Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”

To his people

Isaiah 63:7 See also Ezra 9:9; Isaiah 54:8; Hosea 11:4

I will make known the LORD’s loving devotion and His praiseworthy acts, because of all that the LORD has done for us— the many good things for the house of Israel according to His great compassion and loving devotion.

To the king

2 Samuel 22:51 See also 1 Kings 3:6

Great salvation He brings to His king. He shows loving devotion to His anointed, to David and his descendants forever.”

To individuals

Genesis 19:19 Lot; Genesis 24:27 Abraham; Genesis 32:10 Jacob; Genesis 39:21 Joseph; Ruth 1:8 Ruth; Ruth 2:20 Naomi; Job 10:12 Job; 2 Samuel 9:1–13 Mephibosheth through David

The kindness of Jesus Christ

Matthew 9:36 See also Matthew 14:14, Matthew 20:34; Mark 8:2–3; Luke 7:13; Acts 20:35; Hebrews 4:15

When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Its demonstration in the gospel

Titus 3:4–5 See also Romans 11:22 God's grace extending to the Gentiles while the Jews are judged for their unbelief; Ephesians 2:7

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

Failure to acknowledge God's kindness is a sin

Psalm 106:7 See also 2 Chronicles 32:24–25; Romans 2:4

Our fathers in Egypt did not grasp Your wonders or remember Your abundant kindness; but they rebelled by the sea, there at the Red Sea.

Kindness encouraged in people

In the OT

Proverbs 14:21; Daniel 4:27 See also Proverbs 11:16–17, Proverbs 12:25, Proverbs 14:31, Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 28:8

He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who shows kindness to the poor.

Therefore, may my advice be pleasing to you, O king. Break away from your sins by doing what is right, and from your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed. Perhaps there will be an extension of your prosperity.”

In the NT

Ephesians 4:32 See also 1 Corinthians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 13:4; 2 Corinthians 6:6; Galatians 5:22–23 seen as the result of the Holy Spirit's work in the believer; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 2 Timothy 2:24 a necessary characteristic of a church leader; Titus 2:5; 2 Peter 1:7

Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Examples of human kindness

By unbelievers

1 Samuel 15:6 the Kenites to Israel; 2 Kings 25:28 the king of Babylon to Jehoiachin; Acts 27:3 the centurion Julius to Paul; Acts 28:2 the Maltese islanders to Paul and his companions

By God's people

Genesis 21:23 Abraham to Abimelech; Genesis 47:29 Joseph to Jacob; Genesis 50:21 Joseph to his brothers when he might have been expected to settle old scores; Joshua 2:12–14 the spies to Rahab; Ruth 2:13, Ruth 3:10; 1 Samuel 20:8, 1 Samuel 20:14; 2 Samuel 2:5 The men of Gilead have their kindness rewarded; 1 Kings 2:7 Solomon to Barzillai; Acts 4:9 Peter to a beggar

When kindness fails

The failure to show kindness

Psalm 109:16 See also Judges 8:35 the Israelites to Gideon's family; 2 Chronicles 10:7–8 Rehoboam to the Israelites; Job 24:21 evil men to needy women

For he never thought to show kindness, but pursued the poor and needy and brokenhearted, even to their death.