What is the kindness of God?

Kindness is an attribute of God’s nature and personality associated with His compassion, generosity, mercy, favor, goodness, and love. The Bible says, “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made” (Psalm 145:9). God’s kindness extends to all people. He gives both the evil and the good, the just and the unjust sunlight and rain, provision of food, and joyful hearts (Matthew 5:45; Matthew 7:11; Luke 6:35; Acts 14:17). Scripture’s most brilliant unveiling of the kindness of God is seen in His actions toward undeserving sinners like us.

“Kindness” (or “lovingkindness” and “everlasting kindness”) in the Old Testament is usually a translation of the Hebrew word hesed (see Isaiah 54:8; 63:7; Jeremiah 9:24). Hesed implies faithfulness to a relationship. More than describing an emotion or feeling toward someone, this term encompasses actions and behaviors. The kindness of God flows from His love and loyalty to those with whom He has established a covenant relationship (see Genesis 19:19; Ruth 2:20; Ezra 9:9; Hosea 11:4).

People show God’s kindness by acting in loyal, loving ways toward those with whom they are in a relationship. Because of his profound friendship with Jonathan, David exhibited the kindness of God to Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth, granting him the right to always eat at the king’s table (2 Samuel 9:1–13).

In the New Testament, several Greek words are translated as “kindness.” Chrēstotēs is the most prevalent and carries the idea of moral goodness that empowers a person to be kind toward others, even one’s enemies. The apostle Paul used this term often to express the limitless kindness of God toward lost and unworthy sinners: “At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us . . . through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:3–7).

The kindness of God is most fully revealed to us in His gift of salvation provided through His Son, Jesus (John 3:16; 1 John 4:9). God demonstrated “the incomparable riches of his grace” and “his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). “While we were still sinners,” God sent His son to die for us (Romans 5:8). Christ willingly came to earth as a humble servant. He lived to help us and sacrificed His life on the cross to save us—the spiritually impoverished. Our Savior’s mission displays the ultimate extent of God’s kindness and love (Philippians 2:1–11; John 13:1). Therefore, as God’s children, how can we do anything less than imitate the kindness of God in our dealings with others (Colossians 3:12–17)?

In Romans 2:3–4, Paul cautions believers against hypocrisy and judgmentalism. Our heavenly Father is not a heartless dictator but a tender, merciful, forgiving God (Psalm 25:6; Daniel 9:9; Ephesians 2:4; James 5:11; 1 Peter 1:3). As Christ’s followers, we must not treat sinful people harshly, bringing condemnation and judgment. Instead, we must show the same patience, tolerance, and kindness we have received from the Lord. Since He was kind to us as sinners, we must extend that kindness toward others.

Excellent examples of the kindness of God demonstrated by people in the New Testament include Joseph’s gentle handling of Mary when he learned she was pregnant (Matthew 1:19), the centurion’s concern for his sick servant (Luke 7:2–6), the apostle John’s taking Mary into his home after Christ’s death (John 19:27), and Julius’ and Onesiphorus’ treatment of Paul (Acts 27:3; 2 Timothy 1:16–18).

The Lord is kind, merciful, and compassionate (Deuteronomy 24:21; Psalm 68:5; 103:13; Acts 20:35). Because of the kindness of God, we have been given everything we need for life (2 Peter 1:3). God’s kindness is a characteristic of His unconditional love (1 Corinthians 13:4) and a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). For this reason, the Lord requires His people to love kindness (Micah 6:8) and always be disposed to sharing it with others (Zechariah 7:9; Proverbs 31:26; Matthew 5:7; Luke 6:36; Ephesians 4:32; 1 Timothy 5:8).