Bible Verses About Kindness

Kindness is love made practical. These verses about kindness call us to gentleness toward others, reflecting God's kindness toward us.

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;” — Colossians 3:12 (KJV)

Put on kindness alongside mercies, humbleness and meekness — clothing language for a congregation being taught how to live together. Put on implies a daily, deliberate act.

“He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” — Proverbs 19:17 (KJV)

He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD, and he will repay. The proverb turns charity into a transaction with a guarantor.

“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” — Luke 6:31 (KJV)

As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise — stated positively rather than as a prohibition. It requires imagining, not merely refraining.

“The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.” — Proverbs 11:17 (KJV)

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul, but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. Kindness is described as self-affecting before it is other-affecting.

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,” — Titus 3:4 (KJV)

The kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared — the same verb used of grace appearing. Human kindness is grounded in a prior arrival.

“And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.” — Ruth 2:20 (KJV)

Naomi blesses Boaz for not leaving off his kindness to the living and the dead. The kindness in question was permitting a foreign widow to glean.

“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” — Proverbs 31:26 (KJV)

In her tongue is the law of kindness — kindness governing speech rather than only action. It appears in a portrait of a capable, working woman.

“Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:” — Zechariah 7:9 (KJV)

Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother — given to people asking whether they should keep fasting. The answer redirects religion toward neighbours.

“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” — Luke 10:33-34 (KJV)

The Samaritan's kindness is itemised: he bound wounds, poured oil and wine, set him on his own beast. Jesus describes the logistics rather than the feeling.

“Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:” — Proverbs 3:3 (KJV)

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck. Kindness is paired with truth so neither drifts into the other's absence.

“And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?” — 2 Samuel 9:1 (KJV)

David asks whether any of Saul's house is left, that he may shew kindness for Jonathan's sake. The kindness is shown to the family of the man who hunted him.

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” — Hebrews 13:2 (KJV)

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Hospitality is commended on the grounds that you cannot know who is at the door.

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” — Matthew 25:40 (KJV)

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me. The judgment scene turns entirely on ordinary, unremarkable acts.

“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;” — Romans 12:10 (KJV)

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another. Preferring means going first, which makes kindness competitive in an unusual direction.

“See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (KJV)

See that none render evil for evil, but ever follow that which is good. Ever follow is a pursuing verb, making kindness an active policy after injury.

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” — Galatians 6:10 (KJV)

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men — opportunity is the operative condition. Kindness is tied to occasions as they arise.

Carry these verses with you

Save and revisit these verses anytime with Quiethaven — read the whole Bible offline, get a verse of the day on your lock screen, and turn reading into prayer.

Keep Scripture close — free on iPhone.

Download on the App Store

More verses by topic

From the blog

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about kindness?

The 16 passages gathered on this page are the ones readers turn to most on kindness: Colossians 3:12, Proverbs 19:17, Luke 6:31, Proverbs 11:17, Titus 3:4, Ruth 2:20, Proverbs 31:26, Zechariah 7:9, Luke 10:33-34, Proverbs 3:3, 2 Samuel 9:1, Hebrews 13:2, Matthew 25:40, Romans 12:10, 1…

What is a good Bible verse about kindness?

Colossians 3:12 is the passage most often quoted on kindness, with Proverbs 19:17 and Luke 6:31 close behind. Which one helps depends on whether you need reassurance, instruction or simply company.

Where can I read these kindness verses?

You can read all of these verses about kindness — and the whole Bible, offline, in your preferred translation — free in the Quiethaven app for iPhone.