8291 kindness

The quality of compassion and generosity, characteristic of God’s dealings towards the weak and poor, and demanded of believers. The kindness is also shown in the words and deeds of Jesus Christ.

The kindness of God

To all Ac 14:17 Paul to the pagans at Lystra. See also Jer 9:24; Lk 6:35

To his people Isa 63:7 See also Ezr 9:9; Isa 54:8; Hos 11:4

To the king 2Sa 22:51 See also 1Ki 3:6

To individuals Ge 19:19 Lot; Ge 24:27 Abraham; Ge 32:10 Jacob; Ge 39:21 Joseph; Ru 1:8 Ruth; Ru 2:20 Naomi; Job 10:12 Job; 2Sa 9:1-13 Mephibosheth through David

The kindness of Jesus Christ

Mt 9:36 See also Mt 14:14; Mt 20:34; Mk 8:2-3; Lk 7:13; Ac 20:35; Heb 4:15

Its demonstration in the gospel Tit 3:4-5 See also Ro 11:22 God’s grace extending to the Gentiles while the Jews are judged for their unbelief; Eph 2:7

Failure to acknowledge God’s kindness is a sin

Ps 106:7 See also 2Ch 32:24-25; Ro 2:4

Kindness encouraged in people

In the OT Pr 14:21; Da 4:27 See also Pr 11:16-17; Pr 12:25; Pr 14:31; Pr 19:17; Pr 28:8

In the NT Eph 4:32 See also 1Co 4:13; 1Co 13:4; 2Co 6:6; Gal 5:22-23 seen as the result of the Holy Spirit’s work in the believer; Col 3:12; 1Th 5:15; 2Ti 2:24 a necessary characteristic of a church leader; Tit 2:5; 2Pe 1:7

Examples of human kindness

By unbelievers 1Sa 15:6 the Kenites to Israel; 2Ki 25:28 the king of Babylon to Jehoiachin; Ac 27:3 the centurion Julius to Paul; Ac 28:2 the Maltese islanders to Paul and his companions

By God’s people Ge 21:23 Abraham to Abimelech; Ge 47:29 Joseph to Jacob; Ge 50:21 Joseph to his brothers when he might have been expected to settle old scores; Jos 2:12-14 the spies to Rahab Between Ruth and Boaz: Ru 2:13; Ru 3:10 Between David and Jonathan: 1Sa 20:8,14
2Sa 2:5 The men of Gilead have their kindness rewarded; 1Ki 2:7 Solomon to Barzillai; Ac 4:9 Peter to a beggar

When kindness fails

The failure to show kindness Ps 109:16 See also Jdg 8:35 the Israelites to Gideon’s family; 2Ch 10:7-8 Rehoboam to the Israelites; Job 24:21 evil men to needy women

Failure to respond to kindness 2Sa 10:2-4

Failure to remember kindness 2Ch 24:22

See also