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What does the Bible say about lack of love?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that lack of love reveals a serious spiritual problem, for true love flows from knowing God and trusting in Christ. God is love, and those born of him are called to love one another in costly, practical ways. First Corinthians 13:1-3 warns that even impressive gifts, knowledge, and sacrifice are empty without love. Jesus says his disciples are recognized by their love in John 13:34-35, while 1 John 4:20 exposes the contradiction of claiming to love God while hating a brother or sister. As love grows cold, sin multiplies (Matthew 24:12); therefore believers should repent, remember their first love, and pursue love that covers sins and serves those in need (Revelation 2:4-5; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 3:17).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • 1 Peter 4:8 6 votes

    And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 5 votes

    [1] If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don't have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing. [3] If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing.

  • 1 John 4:8 5 votes

    He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.

  • Matthew 24:12 4 votes

    Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold.

  • 1 John 4:20 3 votes

    If a man says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn't love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?

  • 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 3 votes

    [1] If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don't have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don't have love, I am nothing. [3] If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don't have love, it profits me nothing. [4] Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, [5] doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; [6] doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; [10] but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with. [11] When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. [12] For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known. [13] But now faith, hope, and love remain--these three. The greatest of these is love.

  • 1 John 3:17 3 votes

    But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him, how does the love of God remain in him?

  • John 13:34-35 3 votes

    [34] A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. [35] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

  • Revelation 2:4-5 3 votes

    [4] But I have this against you, that you left your first love. [5] Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lampstand out of its place, unless you repent.

  • 1 John 4:7-8 2 votes

    [7] Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God. [8] He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.

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