40 Inspirational Bible Verses about Kindness

In the bustling city of Jericho, there lived a man named Zacchaeus. He was a tax collector, and not just any tax collector, but the chief among them. Despite his wealth, Zacchaeus was despised by his fellow citizens for his profession was associated with corruption and greed.

One day, when Jesus was passing through Jericho, Zacchaeus, driven by curiosity, climbed a sycamore tree to see Him. To everyone's surprise, Jesus stopped and called out to Zacchaeus, inviting Himself to Zacchaeus' home.

This unusual act of kindness transformed Zacchaeus, leading him to repent and give half of his possessions to the poor. This story beautifully illustrates the transformative power of kindness, a virtue deeply embedded in the teachings of the Bible. In this article, we will explore Bible verses about kindness, inspiring us to embody this virtue in our daily lives.

Showing Kindness Towards Others

Exodus 23:4-5

"If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him. If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him."

Leviticus 19:18

"You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord."

Leviticus 25:25

“If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you.”

Job 6:14

“He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.”

Proverbs 14:21

"Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor."

Proverbs 19:17

"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed."

Proverbs 21:21

“Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.”

Boaz showing kindness to Ruth (Native Art)

Proverbs 25:21

"If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink."

Isaiah 58:6-7

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?”

Micah 6:8

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Zechariah 7:9

“Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another.”

Matthew 5:44

"But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Matthew 7:12

"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets."

Luke 6:35

"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great."

Romans 12:10

"Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor."

Romans 12:20

"To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."

Galatians 6:2

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."

Ephesians 4:32

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

1 Thessalonians 5:15

"See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone."

Titus 3:1-2

"Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people."

Hebrews 13:2

"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."Kindness as a Fruit of the Spirit

The Spiritual Fruit of Kindness

Galatians 5:22-23

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

Colossians 3:12

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience."

God's Kindness Towards Us

Nehemiah 9:17

"But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them."

Psalm 86:15

"But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness."

Psalm 117:2

"For his steadfast love endures forever, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures to all generations."

Isaiah 54:8

"In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer."

Isaiah 63:7

"I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love."

Lamentations 3:22-23

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Romans 2:4

"Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?"

Romans 11:22

“Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.”

Ephesians 2:7

"So that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towardus in Christ Jesus."

Titus 3:4-5

"But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit."

Examples of Kindness in the Bible

Genesis 19:19

“Behold, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness in saving my life.”

Ruth 2:20

And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.”

2 Samuel 9:3

And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.”

2 Samuel 9:7

And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.”

Proverbs 31:26

“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.”

Hosea 11:4

“I led them with cords of kindness, with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws, and I bent down to them and fed them.”

Conclusion

The Bible is rich with verses that teach us about the importance of kindness. From showing kindness to others, even our enemies, to understanding kindness as a fruit of the Spirit, and recognizing God's kindness towards us, these verses inspire us to live a life filled with kindness. Just as the kindness of Jesus transformed Zacchaeus, we too can bring about transformation in our world through acts of kindness.

A Personal Prayer

Lord, we thank you for your kindness that leads us to repentance. Help us to embody the kindness you have shown us, extending it to others without expecting anything in return. May we be instruments of your love and kindness in this world. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.