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What does the Bible say about being kind?

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The Bible teaches that believers are to reflect God’s gracious character through active, patient, and self-giving kindness toward others, including those who wrong them. Ephesians 4:31-32 calls Christians to put away bitterness and forgive as God in Christ forgave them. Jesus summarizes neighbor-love in Matthew 7:12 and Luke 10:27, while Luke 6:35 points to the Father’s kindness even toward the undeserving. Kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, not merely natural politeness, as Galatians 5:22-23 shows. Colossians 3:12 urges God’s chosen people to clothe themselves with compassionate hearts and kindness, and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 portrays love as patient, kind, and enduring.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Ephesians 4:31-32

    [31] Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice. [32] And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.

  • Ephesians 4:32

    And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.

  • Matthew 7:12

    Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:4

    Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud,

  • Luke 10:27

    He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."

  • Luke 6:35

    But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.

  • Colossians 3:12

    Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;

  • Galatians 5:22-23

    [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

  • Romans 2:4

    Or do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and patience, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

  • 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

    [4] Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, [5] doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; [6] doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

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