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What does the Bible say about loving your enemy?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible calls believers to love their enemies, pray for those who mistreat them, and overcome evil with good because God has shown undeserved mercy to sinners. In Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:27-36, Jesus teaches a love that reflects the Father’s kindness even toward the ungrateful and evil. Romans 12:14, 19-21 forbids personal vengeance, entrusting judgment to God and urging Christians to meet an enemy’s need. This love is not approval of evil or denial of justice; it is patient, truthful, and active, as 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 shows. Since all have sinned, Romans 3:23 humbles us before the grace we have received.

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • Luke 6:27 11 votes

    “But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

  • Matthew 5:44 9 votes

    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,

  • Romans 12:19-21 8 votes

    Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

  • Romans 12:14 7 votes

    Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse.

  • Luke 6:27-36 6 votes

    “But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don’t withhold your coat also. Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again. “As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. “Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 4 votes

    Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. 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.

  • Matthew 5:46 2 votes

    For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?

  • Romans 3:23 2 votes

    for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;

  • Luke 6:35 2 votes

    But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.

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