What Does It Mean To Be Kind?
What does it mean to be kind? According to Dake’s comment on Gal 5:22-23, kindness is a tendency to be gentle and respectful of others instead of harsh or angry. Kindness is connected to loyalty (Prov 3:3, Knox) and is an aspect of love (Gal 5:22, NET note). It is a result of being controlled by the Holy Spirit and, thus, should be a characteristic we always should want to display. Indeed, we are commanded to seek to be kind to others (1 Thess 5:15, Letters of Paul by Bruce) whenever and however that is appropriate.
Kindness makes us great (Prov 20:6, Rotherham-alt). It also makes us attractive (Prov 19:22, LB) to the Lord and to those who view us as He does. Furthermore, displaying kindness makes us a friend and confidant to both God and people (Prov 3:3, Knox). Indeed, a kind person shall be blessed (Prov 11:17, Knox) and experience well-being (Prov 11:17, Knox). Kindness should be offered freely, rather than under compulsion (Philemon 14. TNT). It ought to also be given cheerfully (Rom 12:8, TNT.
Some people are kind, like Laban was to Abraham’s servant, once they see that it can be to their advantage to be kind. It is self-serving. Others, like Rebekah, are kind with no strings attached. They are kind without any thought of how they might benefit from it. Let us be kind like Rebekah was for our motives do matter to the Lord (Prov 16:2). Although we are not motivated to be kind for the purpose of obtaining a reward, yet we know that the result of our kindness is that God Himself will reward us. We get to be more like Him!
Loving trust is more important than mere head knowledge.