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New Life in Christ
…31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.32Bekindand tenderheartedtoone another,forgivingeach otherjustasinChristGodforgaveyou.

Treasury of Scripture

And be you kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

kind.

Ruth 2:20
And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessedbe he of the LORD, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The manis near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.

Psalm 112:4,5,9
Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness:he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous…

Proverbs 19:22
The desire of a manis his kindness: and a poor manis better than a liar.

tender-hearted.

Psalm 145:9
The LORDis good to all: and his tender merciesare over all his works.

Proverbs 12:10
A righteousman regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wickedare cruel.

Luke 1:78
Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

forgiving.

Ephesians 5:1
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

Genesis 50:17,18
So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him…

Matthew 6:12,14,15
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors…

ChristChrist'sCompassionateContraryForgaveForgiveForgivenForgivenessForgivingFullKindLearnPitySakeTenderheartedTender-HeartedChristChrist'sCompassionateContraryForgaveForgiveForgivenForgivenessForgivingFullKindLearnPitySakeTenderheartedTender-Hearted1.He exhorts to unity;
7.and declares that God therefore gives various gifts unto men;
11.that his church might be edified,
16.and grow up in Christ.
18.He calls them from the impurity of the Gentiles;
24.to put on the new man;
25.to cast off lying;
29.and corrupt communication.

Be kind and tenderhearted to one another
This phrase emphasizes the Christian virtue of kindness, which is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Kindness in the biblical context involves active goodwill and a readiness to help others. The term "tenderhearted" suggests a deep, compassionate empathy, reflecting the heart of God. In the Greco-Roman world, where Ephesians was written, such virtues were often seen as weaknesses, but Paul elevates them as strengths. The call to be kind and tenderhearted is a reflection of God's own nature, as seen in His dealings with humanity throughout Scripture.

forgiving each other
Forgiveness is a central theme in Christian teaching, rooted in the forgiveness believers receive from God. In the cultural context of the early church, forgiveness was countercultural, as honor and shame often dictated personal interactions. The Greek word used here for "forgiving" implies a gracious pardon, not based on merit but on grace. This reflects the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized forgiveness in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:12) and in His parables, such as the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35).

just as in Christ God forgave you
This phrase highlights the model and motivation for Christian forgiveness. The forgiveness believers receive from God through Christ is the standard for how they should forgive others. This is rooted in the sacrificial work of Jesus, who, through His death and resurrection, provided the means for reconciliation with God (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). The phrase underscores the transformative power of the Gospel, which not only reconciles individuals to God but also empowers them to extend that reconciliation to others. The reference to "in Christ" points to the believer's union with Christ, a recurring theme in Ephesians, emphasizing that all spiritual blessings, including forgiveness, are found in Him.

1.Paul the Apostle
The author of the letter to the Ephesians, Paul was a key figure in the early Christian church, known for his missionary journeys and theological teachings.

2.Ephesus
A major city in Asia Minor, Ephesus was an important center for early Christianity. The letter to the Ephesians was written to the believers in this city.

3.Christ
Central to the verse, Christ is the model for forgiveness and kindness, as His sacrifice is the basis for God's forgiveness of humanity.

4.God
The ultimate source of forgiveness, who, through Christ, offers grace and mercy to believers.

5.The Early Church
The community of believers to whom Paul was writing, encouraging them to live out their faith in practical ways.Kindness as a Reflection of Christ
Kindness is not just a moral duty but a reflection of Christ's character. As believers, we are called to embody this attribute in our interactions with others.

The Heart of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is central to Christian living. It is a response to the forgiveness we have received from God through Christ. Holding onto grudges contradicts the grace we have been shown.

Tenderheartedness in Community
Being tenderhearted involves empathy and compassion. In a community, this means being sensitive to the needs and struggles of others, fostering a supportive and loving environment.

Imitating God's Forgiveness
Our forgiveness of others should mirror God's forgiveness of us. This requires humility and a recognition of our own need for grace.

Practical Steps to Forgiveness
Forgiveness can be challenging, but practical steps include prayer, seeking understanding, and remembering Christ's sacrifice. These can help us move towards reconciliation.1.What is the meaning of Ephesians 4:32?

2.How can we "be kind and tenderhearted" in our daily interactions?

3.What does "forgiving one another" look like in challenging relationships?

4.How does Ephesians 4:32 connect with Jesus' teachings on forgiveness?

5.Why is it important to forgive "just as God forgave you"?

6.How can Ephesians 4:32 guide our behavior in a divided world?

7.How does Ephesians 4:32 define true Christian forgiveness and kindness?

8.What historical context influenced the writing of Ephesians 4:32?

9.How does Ephesians 4:32 challenge modern views on forgiveness?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Ephesians 4?

11.What does the Bible say about forgiving abusers?

12.Is "forgive and forget" a biblical concept?

13.What does it mean to show compassion and forgiveness?

14.What does being tenderhearted mean in Ephesians 4:32?Be kind

“Be kind” (Ephesians 4:32) calls believers to an active, practical goodness.

• Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and therefore evidence that God is at work within us.

• It reflects the patient, generous love described in1 Corinthians 13:4, “Love is patient, love is kind.”

•Colossians 3:12 urges, “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,” showing kindness is something we intentionally “put on” every day.

Living kindly means choosing helpful words, considerate actions, and a gentle tone even when circumstances or people make that difficult.

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and tenderhearted

Being “tenderhearted” (or compassionate) pushes kindness deeper into our affections.

•1 Peter 3:8 exhorts, “Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted, and humble.”

• Jesus models this inLuke 6:36, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful,” revealing that a softened heart mirrors God’s own heart.

• A tender heart listens, feels, and responds; it is not hardened by bitterness or apathy (Hebrews 3:13 warns against hardening).

When hearts stay soft toward God and people, kindness flows more naturally and consistently.

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to one another

The command is relational: kindness and compassion are meant for “one another.”

• Jesus set the standard: “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another” (John 13:34).

•Romans 12:10 adds, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; outdo yourselves in honoring one another.”

• The phrase guards against selective love; we do not reserve kindness for those who earn it but extend it to every fellow believer—and by extension, to all neighbors (Luke 10:36-37).

The local church becomes a living testimony when mutual kindness replaces rivalry, gossip, and division.

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forgiving each other

Kindness and compassion culminate in forgiveness.

•Colossians 3:13 parallels our verse: “Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

• Jesus teaches inMatthew 6:14-15 that our willingness to forgive reflects whether we grasp God’s forgiveness.

• Forgiveness is not mere emotion but a deliberate release of a debt, choosing not to hold offenses against the other person (Mark 11:25).

Continual forgiveness keeps the heart tender and the community healthy, breaking the cycle of resentment.

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just as in Christ God forgave you

Our motivation and model are anchored in the gospel.

• God “demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

• Through Christ “we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Ephesians 1:7).

• As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:12).

Because God has completely, unconditionally forgiven us, we are empowered—and obligated—to extend the same grace. We never give more than we have already received.

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summary

Ephesians 4:32 commands a lifestyle shaped by the gospel: active kindness, heartfelt compassion, and continual forgiveness toward every believer, modeled on the immeasurable forgiveness God granted us in Christ. When this verse is lived out, church relationships flourish, personal grievances fade, and the watching world sees a tangible picture of God’s grace.

(32)Kind . . . tenderhearted.--"Kindness" is gentleness in bearing with wrong (Luke 6:35;Romans 11:22;Ephesians 2:7;1Peter 2:3). "Tenderheartedness" (see1Peter 3:8) is more positive warmth of sympathy and love. Both issue in free "forgiveness," after the model of the universal and unfailing forgiveness "of God in Christ" to us--the only model we dare to follow, suggested by our Saviour Himself in the Lord's Prayer, and expressly enjoined inLuke 6:36. It is a forgiveness which in us, as in Him, does not imply condonation of evil, or even the withholding of needful chastisement, but which absolutely ignores self, conquers man's selfish anger, and knows no limit, even up to "seventy times seven." . . .Verse 32. -But be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another (opposed to bitterness, wrath, anger; Bengel). Kind (χρηστοί), sweet, amiable in disposition, subduing all that is harsh and hasty, encouraging all that is gentle and good; tender-hearted (εὔσπλαγχνοι), denoting a specially compassionate feeling, such as may arise from the thought of the infirmities, griefs, and miseries to which more or less all are subject; these emotional conditions to bear the practical fruitof forgiveness, and the forgiveness to be mutual (χαριζόμενοιἑαυτοῖς), as if under the feeling that what you give today you require to ask tomorrow, net being too hard on the faults of others, remembering that you have your own.Even as God in Christ also forgave you. The A.V. rendering, "for Christ's sake," is objectionable every way: it is not literal; it omits the characteristic feature of the Epistle, "in Christ," losing the force of the consideration that the forgiveness was dispensed by the Father, acting with or wholly one with the Son; and it gives a shade of countenance to the great error that the Father personally was not disposed to forgive till he was prevailed on to do so by the interposition of the Son. The aorist, "forgave," is more literal and better than the perfect, "hath forgiven;" it points to a definite time when forgiveness was bestowed, viz. the moment of real belief in Christ, and hearty acceptance of his grace. The vague atmosphere in which many envelop the question of their forgiveness is very hurtful; it checks their thanksgivings, dulls their joy, quenches hope, and dilutes the great dynamic power of the gospel - the power that impels us to forgive our brother, as well as to abound in the work of the Lord with a tender conscience, the sense of forgiveness urges to the most full and hearty doing of God's will; but when hypocrites, with seared consciences claim to be forgiven, they steal what is not their own, and become more abandoned to wickedness.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Be
γίνεσθε(ginesthe)
Verb - Present Imperative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1096:A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.

kind
χρηστοί(chrēstoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5543:Useful, gentle, pleasant, kind. From chraomai; employed, i.e. useful.

[and] tender-hearted
εὔσπλαγχνοι(eusplanchnoi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2155:Tender-hearted, merciful, compassionate. From eu and splagchnon; well compassioned, i.e. Sympathetic.

to
εἰς(eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

one another,
ἀλλήλους(allēlous)
Personal / Reciprocal Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 240:One another, each other. Genitive plural from allos reduplicated; one another.

forgiving
χαριζόμενοι(charizomenoi)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5483:(a) To show favor to, (b) To pardon, forgive, (c) To show kindness.

each other
ἑαυτοῖς(heautois)
Reflexive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1438:Himself, herself, itself.

just
καὶ(kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532:And, even, also, namely.

as
καθὼς(kathōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2531:According to the manner in which, in the degree that, just as, as. From kata and hos; just as, that.

in
ἐν(en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

Christ
Χριστῷ(Christō)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5547:Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. From chrio; Anointed One, i.e. The Messiah, an epithet of Jesus.

God
Θεὸς(Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316:A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

forgave
ἐχαρίσατο(echarisato)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 5483:(a) To show favor to, (b) To pardon, forgive, (c) To show kindness.

you.
ὑμῖν(hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.


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NT Letters: Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another tenderhearted (Ephes. Eph. Ep)