A consideration of the meaning and significance of kindness in scripture

1. Kindness
Laindon – 28th December 2016

2. Understanding the word “kindness”
• English definition: “having or showing a tender and considerate and
helpful nature; used especially of persons and their behaviour”
• Hebrew meaning: OT:2617
checed, "loving-kindness; steadfast love; grace; mercy; faithfulness;
goodness; devotion." This word is used 240+ times in the Old
Testament, and is especially frequent in the Psalter. The term is one
of the most important in the vocabulary of Old Testament theology
and ethics.”

3. Kindness is an attribute of God
• “turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to
anger, and of great kindness” Joel 2:13
• “thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious,
longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Psalm 86:15
• “The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in
goodness and truth” Exodus 34:6
• “when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ,
(by grace ye are saved;)… grace in his kindness” Ephesians 2:5,7

4. • “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice” Hosea 6:6
• “what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love
mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8
• “Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment,
and shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother”
Zechariah 7:9
• “Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which
fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his
goodness” Romans 11:22
Kindness an attribute required of us

5. • We must reflect God’s own nature – See Matthew 5:43-45:
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy
neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do
good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully
use you, and persecute you;
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he
maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain
on the just and on the unjust.”
Kindness by us towards and for God (1)

6. • “a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the Lord thy
God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.” Deuteronomy
23:23
• “Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord”
Psalm 119:108
• “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of
mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering”
Colossians 3:12
Kindness by us towards and for God (2)

7. • The parable of the sheep & goats: “Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the
least of these, ye did it not to me.” Matthew 25:45
• “Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me” Luke 9:48
• Kindness is manifest in works – See James 2:15-17:
“If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled;
notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the
body; what doth it profit?
Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
• “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially
unto them who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:10
Kindness towards our brothers & sisters

8. • “Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I
will give; when thou hast it by thee.” Proverbs 3:28
• “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow
that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”
1 Thessalonians 5:15
• “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them
that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and
persecute you” Matthew 5:44
Kindness towards our neighbours