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What does the Bible say about love?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that love is God’s gift and command, flowing from his own character, shown supremely in Christ, and expressed in holy, self-giving service to others. John 3:16 and John 15:13 reveal the measure of divine love in the Father’s giving of the Son and Christ’s sacrifice for his people. Because God is love, as 1 John 4:8 says, believers are called to love one another sincerely and actively. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 describes love’s patient, truthful, enduring character, while Galatians 5:13-14 teaches that love fulfills God’s law through service. Christian love does not set aside holiness, but joins mercy, truth, and obedience under the lordship of Christ.

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

    [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.

  • 1 Corinthians 16:14

    Let all that you do be done in love.

  • 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.

  • Leviticus 20:13

    If a man lies with a male, as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.

  • Galatians 5:13-14

    [13] For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don't use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. [14] For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

  • 1 John 4:8

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

  • 1 Peter 4:8

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

  • Colossians 3:14

    Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:13

    But now faith, hope, and love remain--these three. The greatest of these is love.

  • John 15:13

    Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

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