Tenderheartedness is an inwardly developed disposition of the heart, directed first toward God and expressed through gentle action toward others. Grouped with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, it belongs to the conduct becoming God's elect. It stands opposed to bitterness, wrath, anger, and malice, and it supports forgiveness and grace in speech. Rendered from the Greek chrestotes, kindness includes tenderheartedness, expressing love in action. God demonstrates it through abundant mercy, everlasting kindness, and the gift of His Son, while David modeled it through his covenant faithfulness to Jonathan. Believers cultivate it by clothing themselves with mercy and love, producing visible deeds. Jesus Christ embodied this attribute, supplying both the pattern and the power, thereby confirming His followers' readiness for the Kingdom of God. Also see sermons and articles about Tenderheartedness.
Colossians 3:12-13 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.
Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Titus 3:2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
Matthew 25:34-40 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, "Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me." "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, "Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?" And the King will answer and say to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."
Romans 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
Ephesians 4:2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
Philippians 2:1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
Psalm 103:13 As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him.
Related Scriptures
Proverbs 19:22 What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar.
2 Corinthians 10:1 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.
Matthew 12:7 But if you had known what this means, "I desire mercy and not sacrifice," you would not have condemned the guiltless.
Luke 6:31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
