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What does the Bible say about love for one another?

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The Bible teaches that believers are to love one another sincerely, sacrificially, and actively, because God first loved us in Christ. Jesus gives this as a new commandment in John 13:34-35, making mutual love a visible mark of His disciples. This love fulfills the moral intent of Leviticus 19:18 and reflects Christ's own abiding love in John 15:9. First Corinthians 13:1-13 shows that even impressive gifts and service are empty without patient, humble, enduring love. Since God is love and has shown mercy to undeserving sinners, 1 John 4:7, 11, and 19 calls Christians to love as those born of God. Such love also covers offenses through forgiveness and seeks the good of others (1 Peter 4:8).

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • John 13:34

    A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another.

  • 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.

  • 1 John 4:7

    Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God.

  • 1 John 4:19

    We love Him, because he first loved us.

  • 1 Peter 4:8

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

  • 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."

  • Leviticus 19:18

    You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh.

  • John 15:9

    Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love.

  • 1 John 4:11

    Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another.

  • John 13:35

    By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

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