χρηστεύομαι; χρηστότηςb, ητος f: to provide something beneficial for someone as an act of kindness—‘to act kindly, to be kind, kindness.’

χρηστεύομαι: ἡ ἀγάπη μακροθυμεῖ, χρηστεύεται ‘love is patient and acts kindly’ 1 Cor 13:4.

χρηστότηςb: ἐνδύσασθε οὖν … χρηστότητα, ταπεινοφροσύνην, πραΰτητα ‘you must put on therefore … kindness, humility, gentleness’ Col 3:12.

χρηστότης, ητος, ἡ (χρηστός; Eur., Isaeus+; ins, pap, LXX; OdeSol 11:15; ApcEsdr 2:21 p. 26, 13 Tdf. [acc. χρηστότητα]; Philo, Joseph.) gener. ‘usefulness, helpfulness’

① uprightness in one’s relations with others, uprightness—ποιεῖν χρηστότητα do what is good (Ps 36:3 do טוֹב [37:3 Mt]) Ro 3:12 (cp. Ps 13:3). But this pass. belongs equally well in 2 below, for the reason cited in χρηστός 3.

② the quality of being helpful or beneficial, goodness, kindness, generosity

chrestos (χρηστός, 5543), said of things, “that which is pleasant,” said of persons, “kindly, gracious,” is rendered “good” in 1 Cor. 15:33, “goodness” in Rom. 2:4. See EASY.

2kind adjective

14th century

1 chiefly dialect: AFFECTIONATE, LOVING

2 a: of a sympathetic or helpful nature

b: of a forbearing nature: GENTLE

c: arising from or characterized by sympathy or forbearance 〈a kind act〉

In Les Miserables, Victor Hugo tells of Jean Valjean, whose only crime was the theft of a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s starving children. After serving nineteen years, he was released from the galleys. Unable to find work because he had been a convict, he came to the home of a good old bishop who kindly gave him his supper and a bed for the night.

Yielding to temptation he stole the bishop’s silver plates and slipped out, but was soon caught and returned. The kind bishop said, “Why, I gave them to him. And Jean, you forgot to take the candlesticks.” Jean was astounded at such kindness, and this brought about his salvation. A little deed of kindness can turn a sinner to the Saviour.

—Adapted