How many times is kindness mentioned in the Bible? (what does kindness mean in the Bible?)

People are going through a lot, from financial issues to health problems. As a pastor, I always remind my congregation of the importance of being kind to one another since you never know what the other person is going through. I strongly feel that kindness is the most valuable thing produced in us by the Holy Spirit to show acts of consideration, concern, and generosity for others. In one of my sermons last month, I preached about kindness and had to conduct extensive research to be as informative as possible. To show my congregation just how critical kindness is in our lives, I did in-depth research and began my sermon by answering the question, “How many times is kindness mentioned in the Bible?”

In this article, you will learn different bible verses about kindness, Jesus’ take on kindness, and what the Bible says about it. Keep reading to learn more.

What does the Bible say about kindness?

The Bible has a lot to say about kindness, and acts of kindness are referenced throughout the Bible. In Job 6:14, the Bible warns us against being unkind and says that if you withhold kindness from your friends, then you forsake the fear of God. Jeremiah 31:3 reminds us that God’s love is everlasting, and His kindness is unfailing. Romans 11:22 asks us to remember God’s kindness towards us and reminds us to continue in God’s kindness to avoid being cut off from His grace. Galatians 5:22 states kindness as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, together with faithfulness, love, peace, joy, gentleness, forbearance, and self-control. And Ephesians 4:31-32 calls us to be compassionate and kind to one another and forgive each other the same way God forgave us in Christ.  

We also see bible verses about kindness in the New Testament in Acts 14:17, which reminds us that God has shown us kindness by giving us rain and crops in their seasons, providing food, and filling our hearts with happiness. In Acts 27:3, we see an act of kindness where Julius, in kindness to Paul, let him go to his allies so they could provide for his needs. In Acts 28:2, Paul explains how the islanders showed them unusual kindness by lighting a fire and welcoming them since it was raining and cold. 

Bible Verses about Kindness

There are many bible verses about kindness, with the New International Version having the highest number with 56. In the Old Testament, we see the word kindness first in Genesis 19:19, as Lot thanks God for showing him great kindness after sparing his life. In Genesis 21:23, Abimelek made a treaty with Abraham, asking him to show the same kindness Abimelek had accorded him. In Genesis 39:21, Joseph was thrown in prison by his master, but God was with him, and He showed kindness and granted him favor, such that the prison warden put him in charge of other prisoners. In 1 Chronicles 19:2, David showed kindness to Hanun because his father Nahash was kind to him. In 2 Chronicles 1:8, King Solomon was grateful to God for showing his father kindness and making him king in his father’s place. King Joash, in 2 Chronicles 24:22, forgot the kindness that Zechariah’s father had shown him and killed his son, and in return, the son told him that God would see his evil acts and call him to account.

What did Jesus say about kindness?

The bible story about Jesus overflows with acts of kindness. In John 13:34, Jesus gave his disciples a new commandment, to love one another just as he had loved them, and his kindness is the product of obeying this command. When we show God’s kindness, we are tender, forgiving, benevolent, and useful to others. In Luke 6:35–36, Jesus asks his disciples to show kindness to those who are good to them and their enemies, emphasizing that we should be merciful and kind just as God is merciful to us. Therefore, Jesus wants us to be kind to one another and help each other in times of need.

Examples of kindness in the Bible

There are many examples of kindness in the Bible, especially in the acts of Jesus. Jesus showed kindness to those seen as outcasts and sinners. In Matthew 8:1-4, Jesus touched a man with leprosy and healed him. In Luke 19:1-10, Jesus dined with Zacchaeus, who was viewed as a sinner as he was a tax collector. In Luke 7:36, Jesus let a sinful woman anoint his feet with perfume, and people were shocked that he let a sinner touch him. In Luke 23:34, Jesus prayed for those who wanted to crucify him and asked God to forgive them.

Acts 14:17 shows God’s kindness by giving us rain, providing rain, and filling our hearts with joy. In Job 10:12, Job is thanking God for giving him life and watching over his spirit. Exodus 12:50 shows God’s kindness to the Israelites, as He brought them out of Egypt after years of slavery. In 1 Samuel 15:6, Saul showed kindness to the Kenites by not destroying them with the Amalekites. In 2 Samuel 9:7, David showed Mephibosheth kindness because of his father, Jonathan. In Isaiah 54:8, Isaiah reminds us that even though God may hide His face from us for a moment when angry, He always shows compassion on us with everlasting kindness.