Tomorrow (Thursday, November 13) is World Kindness Day, a day to emphasize the idea that “every act of kindness, no matter how small, has the power to make a big difference.” The goal of the World Kindness Movement is to show how kindness can inspire and create positive change by moving hearts, minds, and bodies toward a kinder, more compassionate world. Their goal is laudable. Yet, to truly experience a more compassionate world, kindness must be more than a polite smile or a random act of goodwill—but a reflection of God’s very nature.
Kindness that has the power to transform lives, communities, and the world comes through an intimate connection to Christ. The Bible reveals that kindness is both deeply covenantal and richly compassionate. To understand kindness as Scripture defines it, we must explore two key words: the Hebrew chesed of the Old Testament and the Greek chrestotes of the New Testament.
The Hebrew word chesed (חֶסֶד), used nearly 250 times in the Old Testament, is one of the most profound words in the Hebrew language—and one of the most difficult to translate. It’s often rendered as lovingkindness, steadfast love, mercy, or faithful love. Each term captures part of the meaning, but none conveys its full richness.
At its heart, chesed describes God’s covenantal love—his unwavering, loyal commitment to his people.
When David cried out for forgiveness, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness [chesed]” (Psalm 51:1 NKJV), he appealed not to his worthiness but to God’s covenant faithfulness. Even after moral failure, David trusted that God’s love was steadfast. He could appeal to God’s lovingkindness because he had a relationship with God based on a covenant. He knew God forgives the sins of those who are genuinely repentant.
We also see chesed in the story of Jonathan and David. Bound by covenant, Jonathan promised to show kindness to David and his descendants forever (1 Samuel 20:14-15). Years later, when David became king, he sought out Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s crippled son, and invited him to eat at the royal table (2 Samuel 9). David’s kindness went beyond obligation—it mirrored God’s mercy and loyalty.
That is the essence of chesed: it is a love that endures, even when the other party fails. It is not based on merit but on promise. God’s chesed toward us never ceases; it is new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). His kindness is loyal, sacrificial, and steadfast.
In the New Testament, the word chrestotes (χρηστότης) deepens our understanding of kindness. Translated as “kindness” or “gentleness,” it conveys a moral excellence that is sweet, tender, and full of grace. It describes a kindness that meets real needs in practical ways.
When Paul lists kindness among the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), he uses chrestotes to describe a heart that actively benefits others. The same word is used to describe God’s disposition toward us: “Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness [chrestotes], forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4 NIV).
God’s kindness moves people toward transformation. It is patient with our shortcomings, compassionate toward our pain, and generous beyond measure.
Jesus exemplified chrestotes in every interaction. When others recoiled from the sick, He touched lepers and healed them. When society scorned sinners, He dined with them. When his enemies mocked him, He prayed, “Father, forgive them.” His kindness was not weakness but strength under control—gentle, yet powerful enough to change lives.
When we weave chesed and chrestotes together, we see that biblical kindness is both covenantal and practical. It is covenantal because it reflects God’s faithful love to those who receive him and call on the name of his Son; it is practical because it expresses that love through action.
Biblical kindness:
❤️ Keeps promises even when it’s costly.
💜 Extends mercy instead of judgment.
🩷 Moves beyond emotion to compassion-driven action.
🩵 Reflects God’s goodness in word and deed.
Kindness is love in action, grounded in truth yet guided by grace. As the apostle John writes, “Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18 NIV).
In a culture quick to criticize and slow to forgive, kindness can feel countercultural. Yet it is one of the most powerful witnesses of our faith. To practice biblical kindness, consider these steps:
Both chesed and chrestotes remind us that kindness is rooted in covenant—the relationship we enjoy with Christ. It is the language of loyal love, the outworking of God’s Spirit within us. When we practice kindness, we reflect the heart of a God who never gives up on his people.
As Paul urged the Ephesians, “Be kind [chrestoi] to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32 ESV).
May our lives echo his chesed—faithful, steadfast love—and his chrestotes—gentle, transforming grace. Together, they reveal the true meaning of biblical kindness.
✒️ Reflect and Write
How is biblical kindness different from the world’s? What is one practical step you can take this week to show Christ’s love to someone in need?
Coming Up: As we enter the holiday season, we’ll take a closer look at what it means to live out the fruit of kindness in a world that often mistakes niceness for true kindness. Over the next few weeks, we’ll uncover how to recognize counterfeit kindness, embrace the real benefits of a kind heart, stand firm against the enemies that attack kindness, and discover the power of words and forgiveness in reflecting God’s own heart of kindness.
Do you want to learn how to walk in freedom and cultivate God’s kindness in your own life?
Learn more about the fruit of kindness and explore additional thought-provoking posts on our Fruit of Faith Blog. Interested in going deeper in your faith? Consider joining our BibleSpot S.T.A.R.s Discipleship Program, a 90-day intensive study and coaching program beginning in January 2026. We hope to be an encouraging part of your spiritual journey!
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