To be kind means "having or showing a tender, considerate and helping nature." Thus, one who is kind is friendly, generous, warmhearted, sympathetic, considerate, gentle, affectionate and forbearing. Synonyms for kind
To be kind means "having or showing a tender, considerate and helping nature." Thus, one who is kind is friendly, generous, warmhearted, sympathetic, considerate, gentle, affectionate and forbearing. Synonyms for kind include: philanthropic, benevolent, tenderhearted, compassionate, gracious. In the Bible there are two Greek words translated as kind: CRESTOTE (Colossians 3:12) and PHILANTHROPIA (Acts 28:2). These words describe an attitude of heart that results in a specific character of action (Luke 6:35; Romans 2:4).
One is not walking before God as he ought if he does demonstrate kindness (or gentleness in the KJV). It is one trait which is characteristic of "the fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22). Its absence in our lives indicates we have yet to crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts (v. 23). Kindness is an attribute of the new man raised with Christ (Colossians 3:1, 9-10). Kindness is acquired by the renewal of our minds through a knowledge of Christ in whose image we were created in regeneration (Colossians 3:12).
Furthermore, "kind" is not something that you just are. Kindness must be demonstrated or practiced. The worthy woman of Proverbs had the "law of kindness" in her mouth keeping her words in check (31:26). The men of Malta showed their kindness to the Apostle Paul (Acts 28:2). The servants of Christ prove themselves "by kindness" (II Corinthians 6:4-6). Solomon said: "That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness; and a poor man is better than a liar" (Proverbs 19:22). In other words, what counts is doing what you can, rather than saying what you would do." The Apostle John put it this way, "My little children let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and truth" (1 John 3:17-18). There isn't any kindness in the heart that says, "Be ye warmed and filled" but sends away the destitute with nothing (James 2:15-16).
The key ingredient in kindness is love. Paul said that "love is kind" (I Corinthians 13:4). This must be true since love by definition must seek the good will of another. Kindness is the expression of that good will. This is true whether we speak of the kindness of God toward man (Titus 3:4) or that of man toward man (Romans 12:10; II Peter 1:7).
Kindness is always manifested without respect of persons. The Christian is not kind to some and not to others. He is certainly not kind on the basis of racial, social or et