Kindness | A Bible Class on the Works of the Flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit

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Kindness | A Bible Class on the Works of the Flesh and the Fruit of the Spirit

The next grace Paul mentioned was kindness. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Gal 5:22–23).

What is kindness? Why is kindness so important for the Christian?

The Greek term chrēstotēs occurs ten times in the New Testament. The word means to be morally good. The word also means to show benevolence to one’s fellow man.

The Greek term chrēstotēs occurs ten times in the New Testament.

  • “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” (Rom 2:4).
  • “All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one” (Rom 3:12).
  • “Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off” (Rom 11:22).
  • “As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors” (2 Cor 6:4, 8).
  • Galatians 5:22.
  • “In order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus” (Eph 2:7).
  • “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Col 3:12).
  • “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared” (Tit 3:4).

Does Paul use “kindness” in this list to mean the Spirit produces kindness or goodness in our lives?

Why does the Christian need to be kind? What examples can you think of where Christians were kind? How has God been kind? What happens when Christians are not kind? To whom do Christians need to be kind? How do we add kindness to our lives?

Why does the Christian need to be good? What are some examples of Christians who were good? If no one is good but God alone (Mk 10:18), how can the Christian be good? How do Christians become good? How does the Spirit produce goodness in the Christian’s life?


This Bible class was originally taught by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at Church of Christ Deer Park in Deer Park, Texas.

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