What does the Bible say about kind words?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that kind words are a gracious fruit of a heart shaped by God, bringing healing, encouragement, and peace rather than needless harm. Proverbs 16:24 calls pleasant words sweet and healing, while Proverbs 15:1 shows that a gentle answer can turn away wrath. Believers are to speak what builds others up according to their need, as Ephesians 4:29 teaches, and to encourage one another in Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Colossians 4:6 urges speech seasoned with grace, not flattery or compromise, but truthful love. Since the tongue can wound like a sword or bring healing (Proverbs 12:18), Christians should pray with Psalm 19:14 that their words please the Lord.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
- Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
- Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore exhort one another, and build each other up, even as you also do.
- Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
- Job 4:4
Your words have supported him who was falling, You have made firm the feeble knees.
- Proverbs 25:11
A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
- Proverbs 15:23
Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
- Psalms 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer.
- Proverbs 12:18
There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, But the tongue of the wise heals.
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about kind words and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about kind words