The Greatest of These – Part 2b: Love is Kind

I Corinthians 13:4

Please refer to our earlier segment, “Love is Patient”, and review the introductory paragraphs. Those are applicable here as well.

St. Paul continues, in verse 4, to shed light on the gift of God’s love – “Love is kind”. Once again, we appeal to the original language for more insight into his thinking. The specific word he uses for “kind” is chrasteuetai. This word occurs nowhere else in the New Testament; however, we find variations in a few places which may prove to be helpful.

The apostle writes, “Love is chrasteuetai”. In its essence, the term speaks of graciousness and goodness. But it is not only as a quality of one’s character; it rather emphasizes graciousness and goodness in action. The word is a verb (action word) and not an adjective (being word). Chrasteuetai expresses itself in deeds of grace, helpfulness, tenderness and compassion. Actually, the root word, “chrestos” is defined “to be useful” and this verb form signifies, “to show oneself useful”. Please do not get overwhelmed nor distracted by this tour into vocabulary land, but there lies an important point here.

Some may view kindness as having a listening ear, a serene tone of voice, a tranquil demeanor, a polite manner, etc. That is certainly true and good. These are usually translated in the New Testament by other words, such as “philanthropia”- friendly love, “agathos”- goodness, or “kalos”- good. But St. Paul is describing a kindness that is marked by an outreached hand, a strong word of encouragement, a clear answer to a question, a call to keep going. It is giving one’s time, sharing one’s goods, bearing some of the load, praying with the hurting, weeping with those who weep and rejoicing with those who rejoice. This kindness of love is being there and doing whatever is needed and useful to provide relief until the storm passes by.

Examples of this kindness can be found in various places in the New Testament. Just a few of these may stimulate our understanding and spiritual progress.

Jesus (I can imagine) reached out His hand to all who “labored and were heavy laden” by assuring them that “My yoke (that which holds two together) is easy (chrastos – kindness) and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). It is this bond of kindness that draws us closer to Him and holds us in that place of rest.

Our Lord further exhorted His followers to be generous with this active kindness, reminding them (and us) that in so doing, we become more like Him …. “But love your enemies, do good and lend …. And your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Highest. For He is kind (chrastos) to the unthankful and the evil” (Luke 6: 35).

St. Paul taught that the power of kindness can cause a person to change the direction of his/her life: “do you not know that the goodness (chraston-kindness) of God leads you to repentance” (Romans 2:4)?

In instructing Titus, his spiritual son in the faith, St. Paul affirmed that the effect of kindness was a key factor in bringing spiritual health and wholeness to our lives: “But when the kindness (chrastotas) and love of God our Savior toward man appeared …. He saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3: 4,5).

Again, St. Paul listed kindness as one of the recognizable attributes of a servant of God: “But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God … by kindness ((chrastotati), by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love” (II Corinthians 6: 4-6)).

Brothers and Sisters, let us again be reminded that we have received the Holy Spirit to teach us, comfort us and guide us into all truth. His dwelling within us also assures us that we have been given the fruit of the Spirit: “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness …. “ (Galatians 5:22). Through prayer and practice, kindness can grow and mature in our souls for the good of those whom the Lord places in our lives.

We close with that familiar and beloved appeal which St. Paul made to the church in Ephesus – and by extension, to us: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4: 32).

Yes, “Love is kind”.

Fr. Andrew