You can probably remember an instance when you were having a stressful day at work and your colleague bought you a cup of coffee because they noticed you were upset. Or maybe you were going through a breakup and your best friend made you a batch of your favorite muffins so you didn't have to worry about breakfast that week. Both of these gestures are small yet generous actions that go a long way towards making someone feel better. Being kind to others is a virtue, as the Bible reminds its followers via various verses. You may already be familiar with a few famous Bible verses about kindness, but there are additional equally important passages to remind you of the power of generosity.
Treat others as you want to be treated is the golden rule to being kind and compassionate. This theme makes appearances throughout the Bible, especially in verses about kindness that remind you to help the sick and less fortunate, and to choose goodness over evilness — even when it comes to your enemies. God will notice when you practice kindness, and will reward you for demonstrating this virtue. He knows it can be hard to choose compassion when you feel someone has hurt you, but these Bible verses will remind you that showing the same kindness towards others as God shows you is perhaps one of the most meaningful actions you can take.
1
Galatians 5:13
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
The Good News: God’s gift of free will not only allows you to make beneficial choices, but also to do good and be kind to others. Having free will is a reminder that kindness, no matter how big or small the effort, is a choice.
2
Luke 6:31
“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”
The Good News: Treating others how you want to be treated is one of the easiest ways to display your God-like heart.
3
Galatians 6:9
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
The Good News: Being kind to others — even when it is not immediately reciprocated — can provide many blessings in the long run. God always rewards our efforts.
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4
Proverbs 12:25
“Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”
The Good News: It costs nothing to speak kind words to others and ourselves.
5
1 Samuel 20:14
“But show me unfailing kindness like the Lord’s kindness as long as I live, so that I may not be killed.”
The Good News: If we all love one another and show each other the same kindness that God extends to us, we can all live better lives.
6
1 Chronicles 19:2
“David thought, ‘I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.’”
The Good News: Kind acts will always be remembered and passed down.
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7
Psalm 31:21
“Praise be to the Lord, for he showed me the wonders of his love when I was in a city under siege.”
The Good News: Even when things seem to be in disarray and we don't feel deserving, God still finds a way to show love and kindness. As we are made in His image, we have the ability to do the same to others.
8
Acts 28:2
“The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.”
The Good News: Showing love and kindness to those — even when they are not like us — will not cause us hurt or anguish.
9
Colossians 3:12
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
The Good News: It is God’s desire for us to be kind to one another at all times. We have been chosen to do well for and be well to our sisters and brothers.
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10
2 Samuel 9:7
“‘Don’t be afraid,’ David said to him, ‘For I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.’”
The Good News: How you treat others will be remembered for years to come. And while you may not reap the benefits of your kind heart immediately, your unforgettable gestures will be beneficial to those that come after you.
11
Proverbs 16:23-24
“From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive. Kind words are like honey — sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.”
The Good News: Kind words can heal the heart and mind.
12
Proverbs 21:21
"Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor."
The Good News: We get what we put out there in the world. Send out love and kindness, and receives it back.
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13
Proverbs 11:17
"A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself."
The Good News: Similarly to when we hold a grudge, the only person we harm by not being kind to others is ourselves. It's such a better feeling to be nice than mean.
14
1 Corinthians 13:4
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant."
The Good News: This verse is popular at weddings because it reminds those getting married that the best version of love to put out there is one without strings. Kindness and love are sort of interchangeable in this case.
15
Ephesians 4:32
"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
The Good News: We have been forgiven of our own sins, the least we could do is be kind and forgiving to others. It's literally what Jesus would do.
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16
Proverbs 14:21
"Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor."
The Good News: Hatred gets us nowhere. Being kind to those around us, but also those who may need more help from us, is paramount to living a Godly life.
17
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."
The Good News: This is literally "the golden rule" of the Bible. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. In other words, if you want to be treated with kindness, be kind to others.
18
Jeremiah 9:24
"I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."
The Good News: When we struggle to be nice, we just need to remember that kindness is something that God loves to bestow. And how wonderful that we have the opportunity to partake in something that delights the Lord.
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19
Matthew 5:7
"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy."
The Good News: We get what we put out there into the world. Show mercy, get mercy. That's how it works.
20
Luke 6:35
"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great."
The Good News: It's selfish to be kind and giving just so others will praise us. The true reward of being good to others is just that we got to spread some joy. That needs to be enough for us.
Elizabeth Berry
Updates Editor
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
Ni'Kesia Pannell
Contributing Writer
Ni'Kesia Pannell is an entrepreneur, multi-hyphenate freelance writer, and self-proclaimed Slurpee connoisseur that covers news and culture for The Kitchn. She's the former Weekend Editor for Delish who also writes about faith, health and wellness, travel, beauty, lifestyle, and music for a range of additional outlets.
