Kindness and love are so closely linked that kindness bears the very essence of brotherly love. The Greek word that is translated as brotherly love is philadelphia. Philadelphia denotes kindness toward those with a similar spiritual life.
When Paul wrote 1 Corinthians, he wrote to a group of people who had become prideful in their gifts. Therefore, Paul tells them the more excellent way of using their gifts and ministering to one another. Paul says, “…yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal” (KJV, 1 Cor. 13:1). Thus, Paul starts by telling the people of Corinth that although they have speech gifts, if they do not love others, their words will sound like noise rather than ministerial.
Love is the benchmark by which proper ministry is evaluated. The saying is true that people do not care how much someone knows until they know how much they care.
When Paul moves forward in 1 Corinthians to tell of some of the characteristics of love, he tells us that love is kind. The Greek word translated as kind is agathos, and it carries the meaning of being kind, good, and gracious toward others. Thus, kindness is expressed by outward acts that are rooted in grace.
The unique link between love and kindness can be seen when the Bible tells us, “…add to… godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity” (2 Pet. 1:5, 7). The link between brotherly love and kindness is made clear because the KJV translates 2 Pet. 1:7 as brotherly kindness to depict brotherly love.
Since kindness is an essential component of love, the Christian must study what the Bible says about kindness carefully.
The kindness of God
The kindness of God is rooted in His faithfulness toward His people. Scripture says, “For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee” (Is. 54:10). Mountains and hills are one of the most remarkable examples of stable and permanent structures on earth. The vast mountain ranges stand as towering giants above the earth, and man is seldom desirous of attempting to remove them. While roads may be carved into the side of hills, removing the Himalayas would be virtually impossible.
However, God declares that his kindness toward His covenant people is more firmly established than the hills and mountains seen throughout the earth. What an encouraging and convicting fact. First, it is encouraging to know that God has determined to express His kindness towards the Christian. While the words Isaiah used were directed toward Israelites, it is proper to look beyond the simple reading of the passage to the heart of God toward those Who have entered into covenant with Him. God’s kindness toward the Christian is unfailing, unflinching, and undoable. God is kind, and that is all there is to it.
Second, it is convicting because when the Christian sees the kindness of God, he must recognize that he must go and do likewise. God has communicated His attribute of kindness toward humanity. Thus, the Christian can be kind in a way that is pleasing in God’s sight. When the Christian witnesses the unflinching kindness of God, it must bring about a desire to grow and recognition that there is still work to do.
Kindness toward the afflicted
While the Christian must be kind at all times, it is necessary to point out specific times in which the Christian must be kind and the value of kindness in the midst of them. Job was a man who walked blamelessly on the earth. This does not mean that he was perfect. Instead, people could not bring a charge against Job because his life was characterized by honoring the Lord in his conduct. God was pleased with Job. As a result, when Satan wanted to tempt someone to sin, God placed Job forward as someone who would overcome the wiles of the devil. What a fantastic story!
After God allowed Satan to tempt Job, the affliction was heavy in Job’s life. Job was met with many trials, but his friends were misguided as to why Job was suffering in the ways he was. Job confronted his friends on their counsel and said, “To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty” (Job. 6:14). The Hebrew word used to depict pity in the KJV is checed, which also carries the meaning of loving-kindness, kindness, and merciful kindness. Thus, Job believed that kindness was fitting for him in his circumstances, and in actuality, it would have been.
Job was going through an immense season of affliction. He endured much suffering under the wiles of the devil. Therefore, kindness would have been fitting for Job and would have likely helped and encouraged him in his challenging state.
The good Samaritan
But the question may arise, “What does kindness look like in action?” After all, kindness is action-oriented. Kindness is not simply a matter of the heart. When there is love in the heart, kindness will be shown. A good place to look for help is the story of the good Samaritan.
Yet again, we see the inextricable link between kindness and love. At the outset of the passage, we encounter a lawyer, a Jewish scribe, who wants to know how to inherit eternal life. Jesus asks the lawyer about the law of God and his interpretation of the law. The lawyer responds by highlighting the need to love God and his neighbor. Jesus then tells the man that if he does this, he will live. Finally, the Bible says of the lawyer, “But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?” (Luke 10:29). The man hoped to justify himself, thereby fulfilling the law of God and being good enough to enter into heaven on his own merits.
The Bible makes it clear that nobody has ever loved God with all their heart and their neighbor as themselves. Therefore, the Christian should not seek to justify himself through his works as the scribe did. The placement of the wording, “But he, willing to justify himself…” comes before the parable. Thus, the foundation is laid that nobody should look at the story and think they have arrived.
Nevertheless, the Christian is given a guide to follow in the story. Jesus tells of a man who went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. In actuality, Jericho was above Jerusalem. However, Jerusalem was at a higher elevation than Jericho. Therefore, the man is depicted as traveling to a lower point and descending hills leading to Jericho. Somewhere along the way, thieves were likely waiting to ambush a traveler. The thieves hurt the man and took his belongings, leaving him half dead.
Three people pass by the man, and two leave him alone while the last one stops to care for his needs. The first one to pass by was a priest, a religious man. The second man was a Levite, a religious man. The third was a Samaritan. It was the Samaritan who saw the needs of the man and took care of the distressed victim. The Samaritan showed kindness through time, effort, finances, concern, and sacrifice. Much more could be said about this story, but it shows that love and kindness cannot be separated.
If the Christian desires to be kind, let him think about becoming more like the good Samaritan. The good Samaritan was a selfless servant who desired the well-being of another at a cost to himself.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for Your Word and the guidance that You have given me in it. You have been kind to me, and I pray that You will help me to be kind to others. Teach me to want to walk in a way that is pleasing in Your sight. Help me to be more like the good Samaritan and honor You in my kindness toward others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.