Kindness
The Hebrew Concept of Hesed
The most important Old Testament word translated "kindness" is the Hebrew hesed, a term so rich that no single English word captures its full meaning. It encompasses steadfast love, loyalty, mercy, faithfulness, and covenant devotion. When the Bible speaks of God's kindness, it often points to His hesed, His unwavering commitment to His people rooted in His covenant promises. Nehemiah recalls that even when Israel rebelled in the wilderness, God was "ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love" (Nehemiah 9:17).
Hesed also describes human relationships, particularly those bound by loyalty or covenant. When Abraham asked Sarah to show him kindness by identifying him as her brother (Genesis 20:13), or when David asked if anyone from Saul's household remained so he could show kindness for Jonathan's sake (2 Samuel 9:1-3), the word reflects a bond of faithful obligation that goes beyond mere sentiment.
Kindness Between People
Scripture consistently celebrates acts of human kindness as reflections of godly character. Rahab asked the Israelite spies to deal kindly with her family as she had dealt kindly with them (Joshua 2:12). Ruth's loyalty to Naomi was recognized by Boaz as an extraordinary act of kindness (Ruth 3:10). David praised the men of Jabesh-gilead for their kindness in burying Saul (2 Samuel 2:5-6).
Proverbs teaches that kindness defines a person's true worth: "What is desired in a man is kindness" (Proverbs 19:22). The ideal wife described in Proverbs 31 has "the teaching of kindness on her tongue" (Proverbs 31:26). Throughout the wisdom literature, kindness is portrayed not as weakness but as strength of character that reflects the image of God.
God's Kindness as a Foundation of Faith
The psalmists repeatedly celebrate God's kindness as the foundation of their hope. Psalm 117:2 declares, "Great is his steadfast love toward us." Psalm 31:21 praises God because "he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me." The prophets likewise anchor their message in divine kindness: "With everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the LORD, your Redeemer" (Isaiah 54:8, 10).
God's kindness is not a passive attribute but an active force that shapes history. Joel and Jonah both describe God as "gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love" (Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2). Even Jonah's frustration with God stemmed from knowing that divine kindness would extend even to Israel's enemies.
Kindness in the New Testament
The New Testament uses the Greek word chrestotes to describe both God's kindness and the quality expected of believers. Paul writes that it is "the kindness of God" that leads people to repentance (Romans 2:4), and that God's saving grace is displayed "in the coming ages" through "the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:7). Titus 3:4 links the appearance of Christ directly to "the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior."
Kindness appears as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and a quality believers are commanded to cultivate. Paul urges the Colossians to "put on" kindness as part of their new identity in Christ (Colossians 3:12). In his catalogue of apostolic virtues, he includes kindness alongside patience, purity, and genuine love (2 Corinthians 6:6).
Practical Kindness as Witness
The New Testament also uses the Greek word philanthropia, translated "kindness," to describe the hospitality shown to Paul and his companions when they were shipwrecked on Malta: "The native people showed us unusual kindness" (Acts 28:2). Peter likewise instructs believers to add to their faith a chain of virtues that climaxes in love, with "brotherly kindness" serving as the penultimate step (2 Peter 1:5-7). In the biblical vision, practical kindness is never separate from spiritual life; it is its most visible expression.
Biblical Context
Kindness appears throughout every section of Scripture. In the Pentateuch, it governs covenant relationships (Genesis 20:13; 40:14). In the historical books, it motivates loyalty and mercy (Ruth 3:10; 2 Samuel 9:3). The Psalms celebrate God's hesed as the bedrock of worship (Psalm 117:2; 119:76). The prophets ground hope in God's kindness (Isaiah 54:8-10; Joel 2:13). In the New Testament, it is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), an attribute of God's saving work (Ephesians 2:7; Titus 3:4), and a practical mark of Christian community (Colossians 3:12).
Theological Significance
Kindness reveals the character of God more intimately than almost any other attribute. His hesed undergirds every covenant, every act of deliverance, and ultimately the gift of salvation in Christ. For believers, practicing kindness is not optional ethics but participation in God's own nature. It is the bridge between theology and daily life, demonstrating that the God who is kind calls His people to embody that same quality.
Historical Background
The Hebrew concept of hesed was deeply embedded in ancient Near Eastern covenant culture, where loyalty between covenant partners was a sacred obligation. Unlike modern notions of kindness as mere niceness, biblical kindness carried the weight of sworn commitment. In the Greco-Roman world, the virtue of philanthropia (love of humanity) was valued but often limited to those within one's social class. The Christian teaching that kindness should extend to all people, including enemies and strangers, was a radical departure from prevailing cultural norms.