According to I Corinthians 13:4, “charity [love] is kind.” What a simple yet profound truth. The Greek word χρηστός (chrestos) is translated “virtuous, good.” Phonetically, it sounds like the word χριστός (Christos), which means “Christ” or “Anointed One.” The linguistic link between the two words is that anointing oil was used as a medicinal balm in Bible times, and to gently apply oil to a wound was to “be kind.”
Thus, we learn that to be Christlike in our love, as well as among the many other character qualities, is to be kind. Since husbands are commanded to love their wives as Christ loved the Church, they know that their love must be a love manifested in kindness. Let us consider some specific passages where this same word χρηστός (chrestos) is used.
Christ’s yoke is kind.
It should not be a surprise at all that this is the very same word that Christ used about Himself: “For my yoke is easy [χρηστός], and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30, emphasis added). Christ’s leadership should not make us chafe under the load. Rather, His kindness makes our yoke easy and our burden light.
How can you make your spouse’s burden lighter? What kind word of encouragement can you give that will lift a load and make a burden easier to bear?
God is kind, even to the unthankful.
“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind [χρηστός] unto the unthankful and to the evil” (Luke 6:35, emphasis added). It is relatively easy to be kind to others who are kind. It is easy to love the lovely. But the Lord is kind also to the unthankful and the evil.
Are you in a difficult marriage? Are you called upon to love someone who is unthankful and evil? Take heart! Your Lord is kind to the unthankful. He can give you the strength to do the right thing, and to do so with kindness.
Kindness is manifested in forgiveness.
“And be ye kind [χρηστός] one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32, emphasis added). One of the best manifestations of kindness is forgiveness. This quality is especially important in a marriage relationship. Forgiveness is one of the essential qualities that a husband and wife must develop if their marriage is to endure the test of time.
Christ forgave us. Can we likewise forgive also—freely, willingly, cheerfully, and with a tender heart of kindness?
As Christians, we have all tasted the Lord’s kindness.
“If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (I Peter 2:3, emphasis added). The word here translated “gracious” is the same word (χρηστός) used by Paul to say that charity is kind.
As recipients of God’s love, we have all tasted His kindness. Is it not right that we graciously extend that same kindness to others? How much more ought we to be kind to our spouse!
Far too many wives and husbands may claim to love their spouses, but they are not always kind to them on a daily basis. May God help us to be kind as He is kind, gracious as He is gracious, so that we may love as He loves.
