What does it mean to be kind to one another (Ephesians 4:32)?

Answer

In this era of entitlement, self-promotion, and impersonal, virtual relationships, many individuals have overlooked the importance of showing kindness to one another. For Christians, who strive to emulate Jesus Christ, the Bible instructs, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32;ESV).

The apostle Paul urged the Ephesians to eliminate six negative attitudes and behaviors: bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice. Bitterness involves a refusal to forgive. Wrath and anger are mentioned together to describe uncontrolled outbursts of rage. Clamor refers to loud quarreling. Slander denotes speaking evil, and the Greek term for “malice” suggests wickedness, which underlies the other sins listed. These vices all revolve around our interactions with others.

Instead of these vices, believers are encouraged to embrace kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness. These virtues are also focused on interpersonal relationships. In the original Greek, the phrase “be kind to one another” literally means “keep on becoming kind toward one another.” The kindness of God, exemplified in Jesus Christ, serves as a model for how we should treat one another. Just as God shows kindness to us, we are called to show the same kindness to others. In the same way that Christ extended grace as the foundation for our forgiveness, we should do likewise.

Demonstrating kindness to one another is not a choice for God’s people (Micah 6:8;Zechariah 7:9;1 Peter 3:8). In the subsequent verses, Paul instructed the EphesPaul encourages believers to “imitate God in everything you do, as His beloved children. Lead a life full of love, following the example of Christ, who loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice, pleasing to God” (Ephesians 5:1-2;NLT). Walking in love entails emulating Jesus Christ.

Paul restated the lesson on kindness to the Colossians: “Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive each other if any of you has a grievance. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And above all these virtues, put on love, which binds them together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-14). Paul listed various virtues that believers should adorn themselves with or “put on”: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, and love. These virtues all pertain to personal relationships.

Compassion and kindness are closely connected. Compassion can be described as “heartfelt sympathy or empathy towards those who are suffering or in need.” Kindness is the benevolent spirit that recognizes someone else’s need and is inspired to act through good deeds. Kindness is the concrete action that stems from compassion. Kindness surpasses mere words; it translates into assisting and serving one another “And the natives showed us extraordinary kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold.”, (Acts 28:2).

Kindness is among the attributes of God “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,”, (Titus 3:4).

4), one of the fruits of the Spirit «But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, », (Galatians 5:22), and one of the proofs of a faithful minister of the gospel «by pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, », (2 Corinthians 6:6). Being kind to one another is how we show love: “Love is patient, love is kind” «Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, », (1 Corinthians 13:4).

Being kind to one another involves caring for others, bearing their burdens, and valuing them above ourselves (Romans 12:10; Galatians 6:2; Philippians 2:3). Kindness motivates us to speak life and encouragement to others instead of death and discouragement (Proverbs 16:24; Ephesians 4:29; 1 Thessalonians 5:11). Expressing support and affirmation instead of condemnation is characteristic of kindness «A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: But perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. », (Proverbs 15:4).

Being kind to one another means finding a way to forgive rather than blame (Matthew 5:7; Luke 6:36; Luke 10:37; James 2:13). Perhaps the most stunning example of this is found in God’s supreme act of kindness that provided for our forgiveness and salvation.On when He sent His Son to die for us on a cross: “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that His kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (Romans 2:4; NLT; see also Romans 11:22; Titus 3:4-7).