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What does the Bible say about love and relationships?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that love is a holy, self-giving commitment that reflects God’s own character and governs every faithful relationship. In Christ, believers are called to love sincerely, patiently, humbly, and sacrificially, not merely according to passing feelings. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 shows that even impressive gifts are empty without love, while Galatians 5:22-23 identifies love as the first fruit of the Spirit. Marriage joins a man and woman in covenant faithfulness, as Genesis 29:18-20 and Matthew 19:5 illustrate. Jesus commands His disciples to love one another and even their enemies, and Romans 13:8-10 teaches that love fulfills God’s law.

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

    [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.

  • Galatians 5:22-23

    [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

  • 1 John 4:16

    We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.

  • Romans 12:2

    Don't be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

  • Romans 12:9-11

    [9] Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good. [10] In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another; [11] not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

  • Romans 13:8-10

    [8] Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. [9] For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not give false testimony," "You shall not covet," and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." [10] Love doesn't harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

  • John 13:34-35

    [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."

  • Genesis 29:18-20

    [18] Jacob loved Rachel. He said, "I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter." [19] Laban said, "It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me." [20] Jacob served seven years for Rachel. They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had for her.

  • Matthew 19:5

    and said, 'For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall join to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh?'

  • Matthew 5:43-48

    [43] "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' [44] 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, [45] that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. [46] For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? [47] If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? [48] Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

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