Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8291 kindness

8291 kindness

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8200 The character of the believer » 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

Acts 14:17 Paul to the pagans at Lystra. See also Jeremiah 9:24; Luke 6:35

To his people

Isaiah 63:7 See also Ezra 9:9; Isaiah 54:8; Hosea 11:4

To the king

2 Samuel 22:51 See also 1 Kings 3:6

To individuals

Genesis 19:19 Lot; Genesis 24:27 Abraham; Genesis 32:10 Jacob; Genesis 39:21 Joseph; Ruth 1:8 Ruth; Ruth 2:20 Naomi; Job 10:12 Job; 2 Samuel 9:1-13 Mephibosheth through David

The kindness of Jesus Christ

Matthew 9:36 See also Matthew 14:14; Matthew 20:34; Mark 8:2-3; Luke 7:13; Acts 20:35; Hebrews 4:15

Its demonstration in the gospel

Titus 3:4-5 See also Romans 11:22 God's grace extending to the Gentiles while the Jews are judged for their unbelief; Ephesians 2:7

Failure to acknowledge God's kindness is a sin

Psalm 106:7 See also 2 Chronicles 32:24-25; Romans 2:4

Kindness encouraged in people

In the OT

Proverbs 14:21; Daniel 4:27 See also Proverbs 11:16-17; Proverbs 12:25; Proverbs 14:31; Proverbs 19:17; Proverbs 28:8

In the NT

Ephesians 4:32 See also 1 Corinthians 4:13; Corinthians 13:4; 2 Corinthians 6:6; Galatians 5:22-23 seen as the result of the Holy Spirit's work in the believer; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 2 Timothy 2:24 a necessary characteristic of a church leader; Titus 2:5; 2 Peter 1:7

Examples of human kindness

By unbelievers

1 Samuel 15:6 the Kenites to Israel; 2 Kings 25:28 the king of Babylon to Jehoiachin; Acts 27:3 the centurion Julius to Paul; Acts 28:2 the Maltese islanders to Paul and his companions

By God's people

Genesis 21:23 Abraham to Abimelech; Genesis 47:29 Joseph to Jacob; Genesis 50:21 Joseph to his brothers when he might have been expected to settle old scores; Joshua 2:12-14 the spies to Rahab

Between Ruth and Boaz:

Ruth 2:13; Ruth 3:10

Between David and Jonathan:

1 Samuel 20:8,14 2 Samuel 2:5 The men of Gilead have their kindness rewarded; 1 Kings 2:7 Solomon to Barzillai; Acts 4:9 Peter to a beggar

When kindness fails

The failure to show kindness

Psalm 109:16 See also Judges 8:35 the Israelites to Gideon's family; 2 Chronicles 10:7-8 Rehoboam to the Israelites; Job 24:21 evil men to needy women

Failure to respond to kindness

2 Samuel 10:2-4

Failure to remember kindness

2 Chronicles 24:22