Kindness is one of the essential virtues the Bible encourages believers to exhibit. Being kind to others is a method to demonstrate God’s compassion and love for all people.
Kindness is a virtue that encompasses humility, generosity, and selfless concern for others, in addition to being a good deed.
This article discusses the most inspirational Bible verses about being kind and how they might motivate us to develop a more sympathetic and loving outlook toward others.
Bible Verses About Being Kind
Several scriptures in the Bible expressly call us to treat one another with kindness.
These verses serve as a reminder that kindness is a virtue, an admirable quality, and a commandment from God.
The Bible teaches us the value of treating everyone we come into contact with kindly, whether we are interacting with family, friends, strangers, or even adversaries.
Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV) – Be Kind To One Another
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Matthew 7:12 (ESV) – Do To Others What You Wish Them To Do To You
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) – Forgive One Another
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
1 Corinthians 13:4 (ESV) – Love Is Patient And Kind
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
Luke 10:27 (ESV) – Love Your Neighbour As Yourself
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke 6:35 (ESV) – Love Your Enemies And Do Good
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
Colossians 3:12 (ESV) – Put On kindness, Humility, And Patience
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) – The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Love
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Romans 2:4 (ESV) – Kindness And Patience
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?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV) – Love Is Patient And Kind
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.
Proverbs 11:24-25 (ESV)
One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
Galatians 5:22 (ESV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Bible Verses About Being Kind To Everyone
Every person should be treated with love and respect because they were made in God’s image.
In truth, the Bible has numerous scriptures that encourage us to show kindness to everyone, including our allies and adversaries.
These verses serve as a reminder that kindness is both a virtue and a divine command.
The most important Bible verses about being kind to everyone are examined in this essay, along with reflections on how we can put them into practice in our daily lives.
Ephesians 4:32 (ESV)
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Luke 6:31 (ESV)
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
John 13:34-35 (ESV)
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1 Peter 4:9 (ESV)
Show hospitality Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Romans 12:9-13 (ESV)
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
1 Peter 3:8-12 (ESV)
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV)
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Hebrews 13:2 (ESV)
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
Luke 10:30-37 (ESV)
Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. …
Bible Verses About Being Kind To Yourself
If we are to love our neighbors as ourselves, as the Bible instructs, what about loving ourselves?
Self-love and self-compassion are good for our health and can make it easier for us to love and care for others.
These scriptures remind us to love ourselves as we love others, forgive ourselves when we fail, and put our faith in God’s love and forgiveness.
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Psalm 139:14 (ESV)
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.
1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
1 Peter 3:3-4 (ESV)
Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
Philippians 2:3 (ESV)
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Proverbs 31:30 (ESV)
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Galatians 1:10 (ESV)
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Proverbs 16:3 (ESV)
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
1 Timothy 4:4 (ESV)
For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,
Bible Verses About Being Kind To Animals
God’s creatures, even those unable to speak for themselves, must be protected and cared for by us as world stewards.
The Bible serves as a reminder that animals are not merely things to be used for our gain but are a vital component of God’s creation and should be treated as such.
The most potent Bible verses about being kind to animals are examined in this essay, along with reflections on how we might put these teachings into practice in our daily lives.
Leviticus 22:28 (ESV)
But you shall not kill an ox or a sheep and her young in one day.
Exodus 23:4-5 (ESV)
“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.
Exodus 20:13 (ESV)
“You shall not murder.
Proverbs 23:20 (ESV)
Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat
Proverbs 12:10 (ESV)
Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
Ecclesiastes 3:19 (ESV)
For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity.
Deuteronomy 22:4 (ESV)
You shall not see your brother’s donkey or his ox fallen down by the way and ignore them. You shall help him to lift them up again.
Exodus 23:5 (ESV)
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.
Deuteronomy 25:4 (ESV)
“You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.
Exodus 23:12 (ESV)
“Six days you shall do your work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant woman, and the alien, may be refreshed.
Bible Verses About Being Kind To Your Neighbor
Our neighbors are anyone we interact with regularly, not just those who live next to us.
The Bible serves as a reminder that everyone is made in God’s likeness and worthy of love and compassion. We must treat everyone with kindness.
Little acts of kindness, whether a kind word, a helpful hand, or simply treating others with respect, can significantly impact those in our immediate surroundings.
Mark 12:31 (ESV)
The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Leviticus 19:18 (ESV)
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.
Matthew 7:12 (ESV)
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Luke 6:27 (ESV)
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Matthew 22:36-40 (ESV)
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Romans 13:8-10 (ESV)
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Matthew 19:19 (ESV)
Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
James 2:8 (ESV)
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
John 15:12 (ESV)
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Romans 15:2 (ESV)
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
Bible Verses About Being Kind To Enemies
When we show compassion to our enemies, we not only follow in the footsteps of Christ, but we also open the door for reconciliation and healing.
The Bible serves as a reminder that everyone, even those who have harmed us, is made in the likeness of God and is worthy of love and compassion.
Extending kindness to those who would harm us can be a powerful means of battling evil with good.
Luke 6:27 (ESV)
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Matthew 5:43-48 (ESV)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? …
Matthew 5:44 (ESV)
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Romans 12:14 (ESV)
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Romans 12:20 (ESV)
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.”
Luke 6:35 (ESV)
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
Luke 6:27-28 (ESV)
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
Luke 23:34 (ESV)
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
1 Peter 3:9 (ESV)
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
Conclusion
Being kind can change people’s lives, relationships, and even entire communities.
The Bible reminds us that every person and every thing is formed in God’s image and is worthy of love and compassion, whether it is nice to ourselves, our neighbors, animals, or even our adversaries.
We can develop a heart of love, mercy, and grace toward everyone around us by adhering to the Bible’s teachings on kindness.
Little acts of kindness may make a tremendous difference, and as we are nice to others, we grow closer to God and bring comfort and joy to people around us.
