Overview
The Bible addresses kindness across 25 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Deuteronomy, 1 Corinthians and Matthew. Closely related themes include Righteousness, Poor, Neighbor and Commandments.
Key Bible verses about kindness
Old Testament
Deuteronomy
Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother.
And if thy brother be not nigh unto thee, or if thou know him not, then thou shalt bring it unto thine own house, and it shall be with thee until thy brother seek after it, and thou shalt restore it to him again.
In like manner shalt thou do with his ass; and so shalt thou do with his raiment; and with all lost thing of thy brother's, which he hath lost, and thou hast found, shalt thou do likewise: thou mayest not hide thyself.
Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again.
Zechariah
Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother: Execute: Heb. Judge judgment of truth
And oppress not the widow, nor the fatherless, the stranger, nor the poor; and let none of you imagine evil against his brother in your heart.
New Testament
Matthew
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Luke
And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Romans
1 Corinthians
Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, vaunteth: or, is not rash
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; in the truth: or, with the truth
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
Galatians
1 Timothy
Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, taken: or, chosen
Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work.
1 Peter
Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: love as: or, loving to the
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying kindness for yourself
- Begin with Deuteronomy 22:1, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Deuteronomy, 1 Corinthians and Matthew each treat the theme.
- Widen the study to related themes: Righteousness, Poor, Neighbor and Commandments.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about kindness?
The Bible addresses kindness across 25 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Deuteronomy, 1 Corinthians and Matthew. Closely related themes include Righteousness, Poor, Neighbor and Commandments.
How many Bible verses are about kindness?
The Bible references kindness in 25 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention kindness?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Deuteronomy 22:1: “Thou shalt not see thy brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt in any case bring them again unto thy brother.”
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