Episode Overview

Podcast: Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson
Episode: Kindness: Simple Yet Significant
Date: February 23, 2026

In this reflective devotional, Sinclair B. Ferguson examines the fruit of the Spirit, narrowing in on the quality of kindness. He unpacks its theological significance, its practical outworking in the Christian life, and its profound—but often understated—impact, drawing on biblical texts and historical anecdotes to illustrate how the simple grace of kindness can ripple across lives and generations.

Main Themes & Discussion Points

1. The Fruit of the Spirit and Kindness

• Ferguson revisits Galatians 5:22–23, emphasizing the “ninefold fruit of the Spirit.”
• Focus is drawn to the subtle connection between patience, kindness, and goodness as a trilogy within Paul’s list.
  • Quote:

    “You can't be kind unless you're patient, can you? In some circumstances, simply being patient with a difficult person is being kind to them.”
    (00:34)

• He highlights that kindness is not about grand stage performance or public acclaim:
  • Quote:

    “Kindness isn't something spectacular, is it? This isn't about being on the big stage and being fawned on by adoring fans as though you were some kind of celebrity. But this is what really matters. This is what the Holy Spirit most delights to produce in us. Not kudos, but kindness.”
    (01:36)

2. The Biblical Roots of Kindness

• Explores the etymology of "kindness," relating it to kin or family—implying treating others as one would treat dear relatives.
• Links the concept to the Hebrew word chesed—translated as steadfast love or loyalty.
• Points to the Book of Ruth as a biblical portrait of kindness in action:
  • Ruth’s kindness to Naomi and Boaz’s kindness to Ruth reflect the kindness of God.
  • Quote:

    “Actually, it’s what the little Old Testament Book of Ruth is all about. ... And all because of the kindness of the God who is kind to his people. The Spirit wants to inject that into our spiritual DNA so that it’s embedded in all we are and everything we do, in all the words we say.”
    (02:08)

3. Kindness as a Hallmark of Mature Christians

• Sinclair observes that, across diverse personalities, outstanding Christians share kindness as a common thread.
  • Quote:

    “For all their differences in temperament, there’s always this common feature. They’re kind and they show kindness.”
    (02:50)

4. The Power of Kindness: Ambrose and Augustine

• Ferguson draws on church history, recounting the influence of Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, on Augustine.
• Augustine’s pivotal encounter with Ambrose is highlighted:
  • Initially, Augustine was captivated by Ambrose’s eloquence but indifferent to his teaching. What won him over was Ambrose’s personal kindness.
  • Quote (quoting Augustine):

    "I began to like him at first indeed, not as a teacher of the truth ... but as a human being who was kind to me."
    (03:17)

• Ferguson underlines how this simple act of kindness had monumental consequences for church history:
  • “The milk of human kindness in Ambrose, not his great preaching, was what God first used to bring to faith in Christ a man whose Christian life, witness, and writings have shaped the history of the western world for 1700 years.”
    (03:27)

5. The Quiet Significance of Everyday Kindness

• Sinclair closes with an encouragement:
  • No act of kindness is insignificant—its unseen effects may be far-reaching.
  • Quote:

    “So who knows what your kindness today to someone might mean?”
    (04:15)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Trilogy of Spiritual Graces:

  “You can't be kind unless you're patient, can you? In some circumstances, simply being patient with a difficult person is being kind to them.”
  (00:34)

• Defining Kindness:

  “Kindness is a beautiful thing. I think there's some evidence that it's related to the old word kine, or kin, meaning your relatives, people in your family. It means treating people as family.”
  (01:05)

• Kindness & Spiritual Maturity:

  “For all their differences in temperament, there's always this common feature. They're kind and they show kindness.”
  (02:50)

• Ambrose’s Influence on Augustine:

  “I began to like him at first indeed. Not as a teacher of the truth for absolutely no confidence in your church, but as a human being who was kind to me.” — Augustine, quoted by Ferguson
  (03:17)

• The Lasting Impact of Kindness:

  “Who knows what your kindness today to someone might mean?”
  (04:15)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• The Fruit of the Spirit & the role of kindness – 00:07–01:36
• Kindness in the Old Testament & spiritual DNA – 01:36–02:30
• Kindness as a common feature in Christian leaders – 02:30–03:00
• The story of Ambrose and Augustine – 03:00–04:10
• Final reflection on the unseen significance of kindness – 04:10–end

Summary

Sinclair B. Ferguson draws listeners to consider kindness not as a flashy display but as a quiet, transformative grace rooted in Scripture and the Spirit. He explores its biblical background, significance in character, and concrete historical examples, urging believers to embody simple kindness, trusting that its impact can transcend time—sometimes changing the course of Christian history. The episode concludes with a gentle but stirring reminder: "Who knows what your kindness today to someone might mean?"