Topical Bible: Kindly

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "kindly" in the context of the Bible often refers to actions or attitudes characterized by benevolence, compassion, and a gentle spirit. It is an expression of love and care that reflects the nature of God and His expectations for human relationships. The concept of kindness is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, emphasizing the importance of treating others with respect and empathy.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "kindly" is "chesed," which encompasses kindness, loving-kindness, mercy, and steadfast love. This term is frequently used to describe God's covenantal love and faithfulness towards His people. For example, in Genesis 24:12, Abraham's servant prays, "O LORD, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham." Here, the servant seeks God's benevolent intervention in finding a wife for Isaac, demonstrating reliance on divine kindness.

The account of Ruth is a profound illustration of human kindness. Ruth's loyalty and kindness to her mother-in-law Naomi are evident when she says, "Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay" (Ruth 1:16). Boaz, in turn, shows kindness to Ruth by allowing her to glean in his fields and providing her protection and sustenance (Ruth 2:8-9).

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the Greek word "chrēstos" is often used to convey the idea of kindness. This term appears in various contexts, highlighting the moral and ethical dimensions of Christian living. In Ephesians 4:32, believers are exhorted, "Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." This verse underscores the expectation for Christians to emulate the kindness and forgiveness they have received from God.

The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) is a quintessential example of kindness in action. The Samaritan's compassionate response to the injured man, despite ethnic and cultural barriers, exemplifies the call to love one's neighbor as oneself. Jesus uses this parable to teach that kindness transcends social boundaries and is a fundamental aspect of living out one's faith.

Theological Significance

Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." This passage indicates that kindness is a natural outgrowth of a life led by the Holy Spirit. It is not merely a human effort but a divine attribute that believers are called to cultivate.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently emphasizes the importance of kindness in the Christian community. In Colossians 3:12, he writes, "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." This metaphor of clothing oneself with kindness suggests that it should be an integral and visible part of a believer's character.

Practical Application

In practical terms, kindness involves acts of service, generosity, and a willingness to forgive. It requires an intentional effort to see others through the lens of Christ's love and to respond to their needs with empathy and grace. The biblical call to kindness challenges believers to reflect God's character in their interactions with others, fostering a community marked by love and mutual respect.

In summary, the biblical concept of "kindly" encompasses a range of attitudes and actions that reflect God's love and faithfulness. It is a central tenet of Christian ethics, urging believers to embody the compassion and mercy that characterize the divine nature.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) According to the kind or nature; natural.

2. (n.) Humane; congenial; sympathetic; hence, disposed to do good to; benevolent; gracious; kind; helpful; as, kindly affections, words, acts, etc.

3. (n.) Favorable; mild; gentle; auspicious; beneficent.

4. (adv.) Naturally; fitly.

5. (adv.) In a kind manner; congenially; with good will; with a disposition to make others happy, or to oblige.

Greek

5390. philophronos -- kindly
... kindly. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: philophronos Phonetic Spelling:
(fil-of-ron'-oce) Short Definition: kindly Definition: kindly, in a friendly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5390.htm - 6k

5364. philanthropos -- humanely, kindly
... humanely, kindly. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: philanthropos Phonetic
Spelling: (fil-an-thro'-poce) Short Definition: humanely, kindly Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5364.htm - 7k

2132. eunoeo -- to think kindly of, ie to be favorable
... to think kindly of, ie to be favorable. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: eunoeo
Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-no-eh'-o) Short Definition: I have good-will ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2132.htm - 6k

5371. Philemon -- "kindly," Philemon, a Christian
... 5370, 5371. Philemon. 5372 . "kindly," Philemon, a ... Word Origin from phileo
Definition "kindly," Philemon, a Christian NASB Word Usage Philemon (1). Philemon ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5371.htm - 6k

5387. philostorgos -- tenderly loving
... Transliteration: philostorgos Phonetic Spelling: (fil-os'-tor-gos) Short Definition:
tenderly loving Definition: tenderly loving, kindly affectionate to. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5387.htm - 7k

2163. euphemos -- well reported of
... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: euphemos Phonetic Spelling:
(yoo'-fay-mos) Short Definition: well reported of, spoken in a kindly spirit Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2163.htm - 6k

324. anadechomai -- to undertake, receive
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anadechomai Phonetic Spelling: (an-ad-ekh'-
om-ahee) Short Definition: I welcome, receive kindly, undertake Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/324.htm - 7k

5391. philophron -- courteous.
... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: philophron Phonetic Spelling:
(fil-of'-rone) Short Definition: friendly, kindly Definition: friendly, kindly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5391.htm - 6k

5543. chrestos -- serviceable, good
... [" ("useful, kindly") was a common slave-name in the Graeco-Roman world.
It "appears as a spelling variant for the unfamiliar (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5543.htm - 7k

18. agathos -- good
... Definition good NASB Word Usage generous (1), good (81), good man (2), good thing
(6), good things (6), goodness (1), goods (2), kind (1), kindly (1), kindness ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/18.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

3820. leb -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... 1), encouragingly* (1), heart (396), heart's (2), hearts (40), Himself (1), himself
(6), imagination (1), inspiration (2), intelligence (1), kindly (5), life (1 ...
/hebrew/3820.htm - 7k

2617. checed -- goodness, kindness
... Definition: favour. favor, good deed, kindly, loving-kindness, merciful
kindness, mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing From chacad ...
/hebrew/2617.htm - 5k

2896. towb -- pleasant, agreeable, good
... cheerful, at ease, X fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier,
-liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best ...
/hebrew/2896.htm - 6k

2899b. tobah -- welfare, benefit, good things, good
... Usage bounty (1), enjoy* (2), favorably disposed (1), good (34), good deeds (1),
good thing (2), good things (3), goodness (5), happiness (1), kindly (2), nice ...
/hebrew/2899b.htm - 5k

6440. panim -- face, faces
... 86), front line (1), gaze (1), ground* (1), head (2), headlong (1), honor* (1),
honorable* (3), humiliation* (1), insolent* (1), intended (1), kindly (2), land ...
/hebrew/6440.htm - 8k

2617a. chesed -- goodness, kindness
... Definition goodness, kindness NASB Word Usage deeds of devotion (2), devotion (1),
devout (1), faithfulness (1), favor (2), good (1), kindly (7), kindness (32 ...
/hebrew/2617a.htm - 6k

Library

How the Kindly-Disposed and the Envious are to be Admonished.
... THE Book of Pastoral Rule, and Selected Epistles, OF GREGORY THE GREAT BISHOP OF
ROME, Chapter X. How the kindly-disposed and the envious are to be admonished. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter x how the kindly-disposed.htm

That the Barbarians Kindly Received the Christians.
... Book II. Chapter LIII."That the Barbarians kindly received the Christians.
"But what is the consequence of this? Why, the barbarians ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter liii that the barbarians kindly.htm

That Moses Kindly Received-His Father-In-Law, Jethro, when He came ...
... That Generation. CHAPTER 3. That Moses Kindly Received-His Father-In-Law,
Jethro, When He Came To Him To Mount Sinai. Now when Raguel ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 that moses kindly.htm

The Martyrs, Beloved of God, Kindly Ministered unto those who Fell ...
... Book V. Chapter II."The Martyrs, beloved of God, kindly ministered unto
those who fell in the Persecution. 1. Such things happened ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter ii the martyrs beloved of.htm

He Receives with a Kindly and Patient Feeling the Books of a Young ...
... A Treatise on the soul and its origin, Chapter 2 [II.]"He Receives with a Kindly
and Patient Feeling the Books of a Young and Inexperienced Man Who Wrote ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 2 ii he receives with.htm

CM Miss Fletcher. Kindly Judgment.
... 284. CM Miss Fletcher. Kindly Judgment. 1 Think gently of the erring one! O, let
us not forget, However darkly stained by sin, He is our brother yet! ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/284 c m miss fletcher.htm

"After He had Kindly Accepted Our Gifts, on the Sailors Calling us ...
... Dialogues of Sulpitius Severus. Chapter VI. "After he had kindly accepted
our gifts, on the sailors calling us back to the? "After ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter vi after he had.htm

Pope Zosimus Kindly Excuses Him.
... Book II. On Original Sin. Chapter 7."Pope Zosimus Kindly Excuses Him. The
bishop, however, who presides over this See, upon seeing ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 7 pope zosimus kindly excuses.htm

Lead, Kindly Light, Amid the Encircling Gloom
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Sundays after Trinity: Divine Guidance 244. Lead, kindly
Light, amid the encircling gloom. ... Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,. ...
/.../sundays after trinity divine guidance.htm

Ruth, the Gleaner
... years. They had kindly come so far to see her on her way, but they must come
no farther. ... alone. [Illustration: He spoke very kindly.]. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/the babe in the bulrushes/ruth the gleaner.htm

Thesaurus

Kindly (57 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Humane; congenial; sympathetic; hence, disposed to do good to; benevolent;
gracious; kind; helpful; as, kindly affections, words, acts, etc. ...
/k/kindly.htm - 24k

Dealt (130 Occurrences)
... Matthew 18:33 did it not behove also thee to have dealt kindly with thy
fellow-servant, as I also dealt kindly with thee? (YLT). ...
/d/dealt.htm - 37k

Tenderly (9 Occurrences)
... (adv.) In a tender manner; with tenderness; mildly; gently; softly; in a manner
not to injure or give pain; with pity or affection; kindly. ...
/t/tenderly.htm - 9k

Comfortably (5 Occurrences)
... kum'-fer-ta-bli (`al lebh, "to the heart"): "To speak to the heart," ie to speak
kindly, to console, to comfort, is the ordinary Hebrew expression for wooing ...
/c/comfortably.htm - 10k

Deal (170 Occurrences)
... Deal (170 Occurrences). Matthew 9:27 And Jesus passing on thence, two blind men
followed him, calling and saying, 'Deal kindly with us, Son of David.' (YLT). ...
/d/deal.htm - 40k

Treat (53 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To handle; to manage; to use; to bear one's self
toward; as, to treat prisoners cruelly; to treat children kindly. ...
/t/treat.htm - 23k

Onesiphorus (2 Occurrences)
... He remembered too, "in how many things he ministered at Ephesus." And, writing to
Timothy, he reminded him that Onesiphorus's kindly ministrations at Ephesus ...
/o/onesiphorus.htm - 11k

Loyally (6 Occurrences)
... Genesis 24:49 Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. If
not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left." (See RSV). ...
/l/loyally.htm - 8k

Goest (79 Occurrences)
... Numbers 10:32 and it hath come to pass when thou goest with us, yea, it hath come
to pass -- that good which Jehovah doth kindly with us -- it we have done ...
/g/goest.htm - 32k

Terribly (9 Occurrences)
... Matthew 15:22 and lo, a woman, a Canaanitess, from those borders having come forth,
did call to him, saying, 'Deal kindly with me, Sir -- Son of David; my ...
/t/terribly.htm - 9k

Resources

Who are the Three Nephites in Mormonism? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Baha'i faith? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of the Babylonian Empire in biblical history? | GotQuestions.org

Kindly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Kindly (57 Occurrences)

Matthew 9:27
And Jesus passing on thence, two blind men followed him, calling and saying, 'Deal kindly with us, Son of David.'
(YLT)

Matthew 15:22
and lo, a woman, a Canaanitess, from those borders having come forth, did call to him, saying, 'Deal kindly with me, Sir -- Son of David; my daughter is miserably demonized.'
(YLT)

Matthew 17:15
and saying, 'Sir, deal kindly with my son, for he is lunatic, and doth suffer miserably, for often he doth fall into the fire, and often into the water,
(YLT)

Matthew 18:33
did it not behove also thee to have dealt kindly with thy fellow-servant, as I also dealt kindly with thee?
(YLT)

Matthew 20:30
and lo, two blind men sitting by the way, having heard that Jesus doth pass by, cried, saying, 'Deal kindly with us, sir -- Son of David.'
(YLT)

Matthew 20:31
And the multitude charged them that they might be silent, and they cried out the more, saying, 'Deal kindly with us sir -- Son of David.'
(YLT)

Mark 5:19
and Jesus did not suffer him, but saith to him, 'Go away to thy house, unto thine own 'friends', and tell them how great things the Lord did to thee, and dealt kindly with thee;
(YLT)

Mark 10:47
and having heard that it is Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out, and to say, 'The Son of David -- Jesus! deal kindly with me;'
(YLT)

Mark 10:48
and many were rebuking him, that he might keep silent, but the more abundantly he cried out, 'Son of David, deal kindly with me.'
(YLT)

Luke 9:11
But the immense crowd, aware of this, followed Him; and receiving them kindly He proceeded to speak to them of the Kingdom of God, and those who needed to be restored to health, He cured.
(WEY)

Luke 16:24
and having cried, he said, Father Abraham, deal kindly with me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and may cool my tongue, because I am distressed in this flame.
(YLT)

Luke 17:13
and they lifted up the voice, saying, 'Jesus, master, deal kindly with us;'
(YLT)

Luke 18:38
and he cried out, saying, 'Jesus, Son of David, deal kindly with me;'
(YLT)

Luke 18:39
and those going before were rebuking him, that he might be silent, but he was much more crying out, 'Son of David, deal kindly with me.'
(YLT)

Acts 18:27
Then, as he had made up his mind to cross over into Greece, the brethren wrote to the disciples in Corinth begging them to give him a kindly welcome. Upon his arrival he rendered valuable help to those who through grace had believed;
(WEY)

Acts 27:3
The next day, we touched at Sidon. Julius treated Paul kindly, and gave him permission to go to his friends and refresh himself.
(WEB ASV DBY RSV)

Acts 28:7
Now near that place there was some land, the property of the chief man of the island, who was named Publius; who very kindly took us into his house as his guests for three days.
(BBE)

Romans 12:10
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
(KJV DBY WBS YLT)

Romans 15:26
for Macedonia and Greece have kindly contributed a certain sum in relief of the poor among God's people, in Jerusalem.
(WEY)

Romans 15:27
Yes, they have kindly done this, and, in fact, it was a debt they owed them. For seeing that the Gentiles have been admitted in to partnership with the Jews in their spiritual blessings, they in turn are under an obligation to render sacred service to the Jews in temporal things.
(WEY)

Romans 16:2
That you will take her in kindly, after the way of the saints, as one who is the Lord's, and give her help in anything in which she may have need of you: because she has been a help to a great number and to myself.
(BBE)

1 Corinthians 4:13
Being defamed, we entreat. We are made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now.
(See NIV)

Philippians 2:27
for he also ailed nigh to death, but God did deal kindly with him, and not with him only, but also with me, that sorrow upon sorrow I might not have.
(YLT)

1 Thessalonians 2:10
ye 'are' witnesses -- God also -- how kindly and righteously, and blamelessly to you who believe we became,
(YLT)

1 Thessalonians 3:6
But when Timothy came just now to us from you, and brought us glad news of your faith and love, and that you have good memories of us always, longing to see us, even as we also long to see you;
(See NAS RSV)

2 Timothy 2:24
The Lord's servant must not quarrel, but be gentle towards all, able to teach, patient,
(See RSV)

Hebrews 13:22
But, brothers, take kindly the words which I have said for your profit; for I have not sent you a long letter.
(BBE)

Genesis 24:12
And he said, Jehovah, God of my master Abraham, meet me, I pray thee, with thy blessing this day, and deal kindly with my master Abraham.
(DBY)

Genesis 24:14
And let it come to pass, that the maiden to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink, and who will say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also, be she whom thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and hereby I shall know that thou hast dealt kindly with my master.
(DBY)

Genesis 24:49
Now if you will deal kindly and truly with my master, tell me. If not, tell me, that I may turn to the right hand, or to the left."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Genesis 34:3
His soul joined to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and he loved the young lady, and spoke kindly to the young lady.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS)

Genesis 40:14
Only bear a remembrance with thee of me when it goes well with thee, and deal kindly, I pray thee, with me, and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house;
(DBY)

Genesis 47:29
The time drew near that Israel must die, and he called his son Joseph, and said to him, "If now I have found favor in your sight, please put your hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me. Please don't bury me in Egypt,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Genesis 50:21
Now therefore don't be afraid. I will nourish you and your little ones." He comforted them, and spoke kindly to them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS NIV)

Numbers 10:32
and it hath come to pass when thou goest with us, yea, it hath come to pass -- that good which Jehovah doth kindly with us -- it we have done kindly to thee.'
(YLT)

Joshua 2:12
Now therefore, please swear to me by Yahweh, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father's house, and give me a true token;
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV)

Joshua 2:14
The men said to her, "Our life for yours, if you don't talk about this business of ours; and it shall be, when Yahweh gives us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 1:24
The watchers saw a man come forth out of the city, and they said to him, "Show us, we pray you, the entrance into the city, and we will deal kindly with you."
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV)

Judges 19:3
Her husband arose, and went after her, to speak kindly to her, to bring her again, having his servant with him, and a couple of donkeys: and she brought him into her father's house; and when the father of the young lady saw him, he rejoiced to meet him.
(WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS RSV)

Ruth 1:8
Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go, return each of you to her mother's house: Yahweh deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead, and with me.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Ruth 2:13
Then she said, "Let me find favor in your sight, my lord, because you have comforted me, and because you have spoken kindly to your handmaid, though I am not as one of your handmaidens."
(WEB ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Ruth 3:10
And he saith, 'Blessed 'art' thou of Jehovah, my daughter; thou hast dealt more kindly at the latter end than at the beginning -- not to go after the young men, either poor or rich.
(YLT)

1 Samuel 20:8
Therefore deal kindly with your servant; for you have brought your servant into a covenant of Yahweh with you: but if there be in me iniquity, kill me yourself; for why should you bring me to your father?"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

2 Samuel 19:7
So get up now, and go out and say some kind words to your servants; for, by the Lord, I give you my oath, that if you do not go out, not one of them will keep with you tonight; and that will be worse for you than all the evil which has overtaken you from your earliest years.
(See NAS RSV)

2 Kings 18:26
Then Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna and Joah said to the Rab-shakeh, Will you kindly make use of the Aramaean language in talking to your servants, for we are used to it, and do not make use of the Jews' language in the hearing of the people on the wall.
(BBE)

2 Kings 25:28
and he spoke kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings who were with him in Babylon,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Esther 2:15
Now when the time came for Esther, the daughter of Abihail, his father's brother, whom Mordecai had taken as his daughter, to go in to the king, she made request for nothing but what Hegai, the king's servant and keeper of the women, had given her. And Esther was looked on kindly by all who saw her.
(BBE)

Esther 5:2
And when the king saw Esther the queen waiting in the inner room, looking kindly on her he put out the rod of gold in his hand to her. So Esther came near and put her fingers on the top of the rod.
(BBE)

Job 10:3
What profit is it to you to be cruel, to give up the work of your hands, looking kindly on the design of evil-doers?
(BBE)

Job 39:13
The wings of the ostrich wave proudly; But are they the pinions and plumage of love?
(See JPS)

Psalms 109:21
And Thou, O Jehovah Lord, Deal with me for Thy name's sake, Because Thy kindness 'is' good, deliver me.
(See NAS)

Isaiah 40:2
Say kind words to the heart of Jerusalem, crying out to her that her time of trouble is ended, that her punishment is complete; that she has been rewarded by the Lord's hand twice over for all her sins.
(See NAS)

Jeremiah 15:11
Jehovah said, Verily I will set thee free for thy good; verily I will cause the enemy to meet thee kindly in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.
(DBY)

Jeremiah 52:32
and he spoke kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings who were with him in Babylon,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Hosea 2:14
"Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.
(See NAS)

Malachi 1:8
When you offer the blind for sacrifice, isn't that evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, isn't that evil? Present it now to your governor! Will he be pleased with you? Or will he accept your person?" says Yahweh of Armies.
(See NAS)

Malachi 1:9
"Now, please entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With this, will he accept any of you?" says Yahweh of Armies.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Kindly

Related Terms

Loving-kindness (150 Occurrences)

Unfailing (29 Occurrences)

Endures (75 Occurrences)

Abounding (28 Occurrences)

Sympathy (15 Occurrences)

Loyalty (18 Occurrences)

Showing (41 Occurrences)

Shewn (46 Occurrences)

Mercy (467 Occurrences)