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What does the Bible say about loss of a loved one?

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The Bible teaches that grief over the death of a loved one is real and fitting, yet believers need not grieve without hope because God comforts the brokenhearted and promises resurrection through Christ. Matthew 5:4 and Psalm 147:3 assure mourners of God's tender care, while 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 calls him the Father of mercies who comforts us in affliction. Jesus declares in John 11:25 that he is the resurrection and the life, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 points to Christ's return and the reunion of his people. Though sorrow has its season, Romans 8:18 promises coming glory beyond present suffering, secured by God's love in Christ.

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • Matthew 5:4

    Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.

  • 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

    [3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; [4] who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

  • Psalms 147:3

    He heals the broken in heart, And binds up their wounds.

  • Romans 8:18

    For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:14

    For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so those who have fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

  • John 11:25

    Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he die, yet will he live.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

    [13] But we don't want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don't grieve like the rest, who have no hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so those who have fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [15] For this we tell you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left to the coming of the Lord, will in no way precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God's trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, [17] then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. [18] Therefore comfort one another with these words.

  • Ecclesiastes 3:4

    A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance;

  • John 16:22

    Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.

  • 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.

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