What Does the Bible Say About Kindness?
What Does the Bible Say About Kindness? The Bible presents kindness as an attribute of God and a fruit of the Spirit that believers are commanded to show toward all people.
Key verse: Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)
The Bible presents kindness as an attribute of God and a fruit of the Spirit that believers are commanded to show toward all people.
The Bible presents kindness as an attribute of God and a fruit of the Spirit that believers are commanded to show toward all people.
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." — Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
Kindness is both a divine attribute and a Christian virtue. Ephesians 2:7 speaks of 'the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.' As a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), kindness is not optional but an expected mark of genuine faith. Paul commands believers to 'be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another' (Ephesians 4:32). Colossians 3:12 instructs believers to 'put on... kindness' as part of their new identity in Christ. Proverbs 31:26 describes the virtuous woman as one who opens her mouth with wisdom and has 'the law of kindness' on her tongue.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Racism?
What the Bible teaches about racial equality, prejudice, and the unity of all people in Christ.
Key Scripture References
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Is the Fruit of the Spirit?
The fruit of the Spirit is the character produced in believers by the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
The Bible defines love not as a feeling but as a sacrificial choice — modeled perfectly by God's gift of His Son.
How Do You Forgive Others According to the Bible?
Biblical forgiveness means releasing bitterness and choosing not to hold someone's offense against them — just as God in Christ forgave us.
What Does the Bible Say About Money?
The Bible doesn't condemn money itself but warns against the love of money and teaches generosity, contentment, and wise stewardship.
What Is Tithing?
Tithing is the practice of giving a tenth (10%) of one's income to God, rooted in Old Testament law and reflected in New Testament generosity.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
What Does the Bible Say About Kindness?
Daily Living
What Is Kindness in the Bible?
Daily Living
Luke 6:31 — Meaning & Devotional
Christian Living
What Does the Bible Say About Living Together Before Marriage?
Marriage & Family
1 Corinthians 10:31 Commentary
In-depth study • Living for God's Glory
Practicing Generosity
Scriptures about giving, generosity, and the blessing of open-handed living.
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Ephesians. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Ephesians on day 339 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Does the Bible Say About Kindness?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep Going
Continue Exploring Scripture
You've found one resource — here are more ways to go deeper into God's Word.
Today's Verse
Start each day with a hand-picked KJV verse and reflection.
Verses by Topic
Find what the Bible says about love, anxiety, strength, and 500+ more topics.
Bible Miracles
Discover the signs and wonders of God recorded in Scripture.
Angels & Spiritual Warfare
Angels, demons, and the armor of God — what the KJV really teaches about the unseen battle.
Bible Genealogies & Family Trees
Visual KJV family trees — the line of Jesus, the sons of Noah, the twelve tribes, and more.
Women of the Bible
Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Mary — the matriarchs, prophetesses, queens, and disciples of Scripture.