# What does the Bible say about kindness?

> What the Bible says about kindness: God’s kindness to us, kindness as fruit of the Spirit, kindness to enemies and the poor, and how to live it. Cited verses.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/kindness
By Andrew Kittridge, Founder of Lumin · October 24, 2026
Verses are chosen for the question being asked. Scripture on this site is quoted from the Lumin Translation, the same text as the public reader and the iPhone Bible tab: Lumin’s own translation, drafted with AI from the Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, checked verse by verse against them, and approved by Lumin. Glosses in answers are original summaries, not a second Bible. Open the named passage; AI is not the interpreter. [How we cite Scripture](https://www.lumin.faith/about#how-we-cite)

The Bible treats kindness as part of God’s own character before it is ever a command. God is kind even to the ungrateful, and his kindness in Christ is how we are saved. Scripture then asks his people to be kind in return: tenderhearted, forgiving, generous to the poor, and good even to enemies. Kindness is listed as fruit of the Spirit, which means it grows from a changed heart rather than from trying harder to be nice.

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## Bible verses about kindness

- **[Micah 6:8](https://www.lumin.faith/read/micah/6#8)** — God seeks justice, a love of kindness, and a humble walk with him.
- **[Ephesians 4:32](https://www.lumin.faith/read/ephesians/4#32)** — Be kind and tenderhearted, forgiving each other as God forgave you.
- **[Colossians 3:12](https://www.lumin.faith/read/colossians/3#12)** — Clothe yourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
- **[Luke 6:35](https://www.lumin.faith/read/luke/6#35)** — Love your enemies and do good, because God is kind to the ungrateful.
- **[Galatians 5:22-23](https://www.lumin.faith/read/galatians/5#22)** — Kindness is part of the fruit of the Spirit.
- **[Titus 3:4-5](https://www.lumin.faith/read/titus/3#4)** — God saved us through his kindness and mercy, not our works.
- **[Proverbs 19:17](https://www.lumin.faith/read/proverbs/19#17)** — Whoever is kind to the poor lends to Yahweh.
- **[Proverbs 11:17](https://www.lumin.faith/read/proverbs/11#17)** — A kind person does good to himself; cruelty brings trouble.

## Highlighted verse

> Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving each other just as God also forgave you in Christ.
>
> — Ephesians 4:32 (Lumin Translation)

## Reflection

Kindness can sound soft, like a manners lesson. In Scripture it is closer to steadfast goodwill: choosing someone’s good when you do not have to. Paul ties it to forgiveness, because the hardest kindness is the one shown to someone who has hurt you. Jesus goes further and points to the Father, who is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. That is the pattern: kindness that does not wait to be earned.

It also starts with being on the receiving end. Titus says the kindness of God our Savior appeared, and he saved us because of his mercy, not our record. People who know they were treated kindly when they did not deserve it find it easier to pass on. Practically, kindness is small and specific. It is a gentle answer, a meal brought over, a debt forgiven, attention given to someone who is easy to overlook. Pick one of those today.

## One next step

Read Luke 6:27-36. Then do one specific kind thing today for someone who cannot repay you, or for someone you find hard to love.

## FAQ

### What does the Bible say about being kind to others?

Be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving because God forgave you (Ephesians 4:32). Clothe yourself with kindness (Colossians 3:12), be kind to the poor (Proverbs 19:17), and do good even to enemies, as God is kind to the ungrateful (Luke 6:35).

### Is kindness a fruit of the Spirit?

Yes. Galatians 5:22-23 lists love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control as the fruit of the Spirit. It grows as the Spirit changes a person, not by effort alone.

### What is the most famous Bible verse about kindness?

Ephesians 4:32 is the best known: be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving each other just as God also forgave you in Christ. Micah 6:8, which asks us to love kindness, is close behind.

### Does being kind mean being a pushover?

No. Jesus was kind and also told hard truths, and Scripture asks for kindness alongside justice (Micah 6:8). Kindness seeks the other person’s real good, which sometimes means saying no or setting a limit gently.

## Related questions

- [What does the Bible say about love?](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/love.md)
- [What does the Bible say about forgiveness?](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/forgiveness.md)
- [What does the Bible say about patience?](https://www.lumin.faith/what-the-bible-says-about/patience.md)

## Related guides

- [Ask with Scripture you can open](https://www.lumin.faith/ask.md)
- [Read the chapter with Bible Coach](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-coach.md)
- [The Lumin Covenant](https://www.lumin.faith/trust.md)


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