What does the Bible say about love?
The Bible tells us numerous important things about what love is.
God is love
First and foremost, the Bible says that God Himself is love. “God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them” (1 John 4:16). This means that not only does He have the capacity to love, but that love itself originates from Him. He is its source. God is the very definition of love and we learn what love is by looking to God.
Because God is love, we can be confident that He knows everything about love. He is the expert on the subject. We can trust His Word to teach us what love is, and how we should express it. The world has many different opinions regarding what love is. If we want to know the truth we must look at what the Bible says about love.
God’s loves the world
The Bible also tells us that God loves the world. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). This love is sacrificial and it is for everyone. It is not based on anything we have done or anything we can do. It is simply because God is love. This love is unending and it is available to everyone.
God’s love for us should motivate us to love others. If we have experienced the love of God, we will naturally want to share that love with others. We should never think that we are too good to love someone or that they don’t deserve our love. We all need the love of God, and we are all worthy of His love.
God loves each person individually
The Bible makes it clear that God loves each person individually. “But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15). This means that God does not love us all the same. He knows each one of us individually and He loves us all differently.
We see this same principle in the way that parents love their children. They may have more than one child, but they don’t love all of them the same. They love each one individually and uniquely. In the same way, God loves each one of us individually and uniquely. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He loves us perfectly.
God’s love is perfect
The Word of God also tells us that God’s love is perfect. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). This means that no matter what happens in our lives, we can be confident that God is working all things together for our good. His love for us is perfect and He will never leave us or forsake us.
Nothing can separate us from God’s love
The love of God is also perfect in the sense that it is never-ending.
“But I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
This means that no matter what we do or where we go, we can never be separated from the love of God. His love for us is unending and it will never change.
Who are we supposed to love?
When we read Scripture, it also becomes clear that we are called to love others, just as God loves us.
Love God
Above all else, we are called to love God. “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). This is the greatest commandment. When we love God, it will naturally overflow into our love for others. If we don’t have a relationship with God, it will be difficult to have a genuine love for others.
Love your neighbor
The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbor. “You must love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). This means that we are called to treat others the way we want to be treated. We are also called to love others unconditionally, just as God loves us.
Love your enemies
In addition to loving our neighbors, we are also called to love our enemies. “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). This is a difficult commandment to follow, but it is important to remember that we are called to love others, even those who are difficult to love.
When we think about the people in our lives who are difficult to love, it is important to remember that they are also loved by God. He knows them intimately and He loves them perfectly. If we want to follow the commandment to love our enemies, we need to remember that they are also loved by God.
Love our fellow believers
We’re also called to love our fellow believers in a unique, familial way. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). This means that we are to encourage and build up other believers in their faith. We are also called to forgive one another, just as God has forgiven us.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).
This is a difficult commandment to follow, but it is important to remember that we are all sinners who have been forgiven by the grace of God. When we are able to forgive others, it shows that we have truly been forgiven by God.
The Bible is clear that we are called to love God and to love others. This is not always easy, but it is possible with the help of the Holy Spirit. When we love others, we are reflecting the love of God back to Him.
What Does The Bible Say About Characteristics Of Love
In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, it says:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
Let’s look at each of these elements of love.
The Bible says love is patient
First, love is patient. We are to be patient with others because God is patient with us. Love does not rush people or insist on its own timing. Rather, love gives other people the space and time they need to grow.
The Greek word for patience here is “makrothymia”. This word describes a quality of love that is long suffering or slow to anger. This means that love does not quickly grow impatient with people or situation. Instead, it bears up under difficulties and endures them patiently.
The Bible says love is kind
Second, love is kind. This means that we are to be gentle and compassionate with others, just as God is with us. We are not to be harsh or critical of others. Instead, we are to build them up and encourage them.
The Greek word for kind here is “chresteuomai”. This word describes a quality of love that is tender and responsive to the needs of others. It is a love that is expressed in acts of kindness.
Love does not envy
The Bible also says that love resists the temptation to envy others. Envy is the feeling of jealousy that comes when we see someone else succeed at something we want. It is a destructive emotion that can tear people down.
Instead of envying others, we are to rejoice with them and celebrate their success. We are to be happy for them, just as God is happy for us. As it says in Philippians 2:4, “Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Love is humble
Additionally, love pursues humility. It is not proud. It does not think of itself as better than others. Instead, it puts the needs of others above its own.
The Greek word for humility here is tapeinophrosyne. This word describes a quality of love that is modest and unassuming. It is not concerned with getting credit or recognition for its acts of love. In James 4:6 it says, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
If we want to experience God’s favor, we must seek humility.
Love is not rude
The Bible also says that love is not rude. This means that we are to be respectful and considerate of others. We are not to speak harshly or treat them with disrespect. Instead, we are to speak kindly and treat them with courtesy.
The Greek word for rudeness here is aschemoneo. This word describes a quality of love that is well mannered and polite. It is the opposite of being crude or vulgar. This doesn’t necessarily mean that if we have good manners we are being loving. Rather, it means that we are being considerate of others and their desires.
The Bible says love is not self seeking
Love is also not self-seeking. This means that we are not to be motivated by what we can get out of a situation. We are not to be greedy or selfish. Instead, we are to be generous and giving.
The Greek word for self-seeking here is eritheia. This word describes a quality of love that is motivated by personal gain. It is the opposite of being unselfish. In Jesus, we see the ultimate example of someone not being self-seeking. Philippians 2:5-8 says,
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!”
Jesus was God in human form. He could have grasped onto His equality with God and used it for Himself. But instead, He chose to become a servant. He chose to be humble and obedient, even to the point of death. This is the kind of love we are called to have.
Love isn’t easily angered
The Bible says that love is not easily angered. This means that we are not to be quick to anger or easily offended. We are not to hold grudges or harbor bitterness. Instead, we are to be patient and forgiving.
The Greek word for patience here is makrothumeo. This word describes a quality of love that is longsuffering and slow to anger. This is the kind of love that God shows to us. In Exodus 34:6 it says, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”
This is the kind of love we are called to have. It is a love that endures hardship and forgives when we have been wronged.
It keeps no record of wrongs
Love also keeps no record of wrongs. This means that we are not to keep track of the times someone has hurt or offended us. We are not to hold grudges or seek revenge. Instead, we are to let go of the past and move on.
The Greek word for keeping no record of wrongs is logizomai. This word describes a quality of love that is free from resentment. It is the opposite of being revengeful. In Matthew 6:14-15 it says,
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
This is a clear command from Jesus. If we want to be forgiven, we must first forgive others. This is the kind of love we are called to have.
Rejoices with the truth
The Bible also says that love rejoices with the truth. This means that we are to celebrate when the truth of a situation is made clear. Rather than celebrating evil, we celebrate truth.
The Greek word for rejoicing here is chairo. This word describes a quality of love that delights in the truth. It is the opposite of being deceitful. In Proverbs 12:20 it says, “Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.”
This is the kind of love we are called to have. It is a love that promotes peace and rejoices in the truth.
The Bible says that love protects
Biblical love is a protecting love. This means that we are to defend those who cannot defend themselves. We are to stand up for what is right and fight against evil.
The Greek word for protect here is phileo. This word describes a quality of love that is tender and compassionate. It is the opposite of being harsh and cruel. In Psalm 103:13 it says, “The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.”
This is the kind of love we are called to have. It is a love that is tender and compassionate, even to those who are afraid.
Love always trusts
The Bible makes it clear that love always trusts. This means that we are to believe the best about others, even when they have given us reason not to. We are to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume the best.
The Greek word for trust here is pisteuo. This word describes a quality of love that is confident and hopeful. It is the opposite of being suspicious and distrustful. In I Corinthians 13:7 it says, “Love always trusts.”
This is the kind of love we are called to have. It is a love that is confident and hopeful, even when there is reason not to be.
Biblical love always hopes
The Bible says that love always hopes. This means that we are to have hope even in the darkest of times. We are to believe that things will get better and that good will triumph in the end. We can believe these things because God is in control of all things. Not because of what we see with our eyes.
The Greek word for hope here is elpizo. This word describes a quality of love that is confident and expectant. It is the opposite of being despairing and hopeless. In Romans 5:5 it says, “And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
This is the kind of love we are called to have. It is a love that is confident and expectant, even in the darkest of times.
Biblical love always perseveres
True love always perseveres. This means that we are to never give up on others, even when it would be easier to do so. We are to keep loving them, even when they don’t deserve it. Because that is what God has done for us.
The Greek word for persevere here is hupomeno. This word describes a quality of love that is patient and long-suffering. It is the opposite of being easily angered and quick to give up. In Psalms 103:8 it says, “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”
This is the kind of love we are called to have. It is a love that is patient and long-suffering. Even when those we love don’t deserve it.
Love never fails
Finally, love never fails. This means that it will never come to an end. It is an eternal love that will last forever.
The Greek word for fails here is pipto. This word describes a quality of love that is enduring and everlasting. It is the opposite of being transitory and fleeting. God’s love for us will never fail. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. In Romans 8:39 it says, “Nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
This is the kind of love we are called to have. It is a love that is enduring and everlasting. A love that will never come to an end.
31 Bible Verses About Love
1. John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
2. 1 John 4:8 – “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
3. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
4. 1 John 4:16 – “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.”
5. Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
6. Jeremiah 31:3 – “The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”
7. Isaiah 54:10 – “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.”
8. John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”
9. 1 John 4:9-10 – “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
10. Ephesians 2:4-5 – “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”
11. Isaiah 43:4 – “Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in place of your life.”
12. John 3:35 – “The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands.”
13. John 14:15 – “If you love me, keep my commands.”
14. 1 Corinthians 8:3 – “But the man who loves God is the one who will be known by God.”
15. Matthew 5:44 – “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
16. Romans 12:10 – “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
17. Galatians 5:13 – “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
18. 1 Peter 4:8 – “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
19. Proverbs 10:12 – “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
20. 1 John 4:7-8 – “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
21. Song of Solomon 8:6-7 – “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away.”
22. Matthew 22:37-39 – “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
23. Mark 12:28-31 – “One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
24. Luke 6:27-28 – “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
25. Luke 10:27 – “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
26. John 13:34 – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
27. John 15:12 – “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
28. John 15:17 – “This is my command: Love each other.”
29. Romans 13:8 – “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”
30. Galatians 5:14 – “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.””
31. James 2:8 – “If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.”
Thanks very much for this is truly amazing . I got I clean mind about love It change my perspective concerning love of God