We are all familiar with the word "love." We use it in conversation and hear people talk about it constantly. But what does the Bible say about love? This is the question that matters for believers today.
As it turns out, the Bible does have something to say about love. In this episode of What Does the Bible Say, we will share with you 22 Bible verses about love. In these verses, you will find instructive, informative, and inspiring truths about love.
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
In the Bible, love is defined, shared, and expressed time and again to the undeserving. While there are several kinds of love, including Phileo and Eros, the theme of divine love (Agape) is communicated artistically and realistically, from the nature of God toward man, to its operation within man, and finally, how we are to live with one another.
The Bible teaches that God is love, and love is a sacrifice; it is the good we do for people regardless of what they've done for us. This is exemplified by God sending His Son to give up His life to save sinners from their sins.
The love expressed through Christ, in the narrative of His suffering, crucifixion, and death, leading to His resurrection, is what the Bible defines as the kind of love we are both required and expected to extend toward our fellow human beings.
Key takeaways:
- God is love (it is the nature of God).
- Love is sacrificial (it is something we give).
- Love is a command ( it is something we are required to do).
22 Key Bible Verses About Love
Below are 22 Bible verses about love, shared in four different segments: verses that define and explain love, discuss God's love for us, command us to love, and display love in action.
The Definition of Love (Foundational Verses)
1. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
2. 1 John 4:7-8
"Beloved, let’s love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God. He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love."
3. Colossians 3:14
"Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection."
4. Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
5. Song of Solomon 8:6-7
"Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; for love is strong as death. Jealousy is as cruel as Sheol. Its flashes are flashes of fire, a very flame of Yahweh. Many waters can’t quench love, neither can floods drown it."
God's Sacrificial Love for Us
6. John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life."
7. Romans 5:8
"But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
8. Jeremiah 31:3
"Yahweh appeared of old to me, saying, ‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love. Therefore I have drawn you with loving kindness.’"
9. Zephaniah 3:17
"Yahweh your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will rest in his love. He will rejoice over you with singing."
10. Psalm 136:1
"Give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good; for his loving kindness endures forever."
11. 1 John 4:18
"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love."
12. John 15:13
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."
Loving Your Neighbor & Enemies
13. Matthew 22:37-39
"Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’"
14. Matthew 5:43-44
"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you."
15. 1 Peter 4:8
"And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins."
16. Romans 13:8
"Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law."
17. 1 John 3:18
"My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth."
Love in Action (Relationships & Community)
18. Romans 12:9-10
"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another."
19. Ephesians 4:2
"With all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love."
20. Proverbs 17:17
"A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for adversity."
21. Ephesians 5:25
"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it."
22. 1 Corinthians 16:14
"Let all that you do be done in love."
Biblical Questions About Love
What is "Agape" love?
In the New Testament, the Greek word for love (Agape) refers to the highest form of love. It is the selfless and sacrificial love that persists regardless of circumstances. This is the love God has for us, distinct from Phileo (friendship) or Eros (romantic love).
Does the Bible say I have to love my enemies?
Yes. Jesus commanded in Matthew 5:44 to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This doesn't mean you have to trust them or be best friends with them, but you must seek their good and hold no grudges against them.
Is self-love biblical?
The command is to "love your neighbor as yourself." This implies that a healthy level of self-respect and care is necessary. We are God's creation, so caring for ourselves is honoring the Creator, but it should never cross into vanity or selfishness.
More from Faithful Today
Need help processing your emotions? Check out our guide on Marriage or explore our Mood-Based Scripture tool to find specific verses for exactly how you are feeling right now.
