Explain Bible

What does the Bible say about showing our love for one another?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that believers are to love one another sincerely, actively, and sacrificially, because God has loved us first in Christ. Jesus gives this love as a distinguishing command and witness to the world in John 13:34-35 and John 15:12-15. Such love seeks a neighbor’s good rather than harm, serving freely through the power of the Spirit, as Romans 13:10 and Galatians 5:13 affirm. Hebrews 13:1-2 calls Christians to brotherly affection and hospitality, while 1 John 3:18 urges love in deeds and truth, not words only. Because we have been born of God, 1 John 4:7 calls us to reflect His holy, gracious character in our relationships.

Top passages, ranked by readers

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

  • John 13:34 9 votes

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

  • John 13:35 7 votes

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

  • Hebrews 13:1-2 5 votes

    [1] Let brotherly love continue. [2] Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.

  • Psalms 51:10-13 4 votes

    [10] Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. [11] Don't throw me from your presence, And don't take your holy Spirit from me. [12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit. [13] Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners shall be converted to you.

  • John 15:12-15 3 votes

    [12] "This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. [13] Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. [14] You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you. [15] No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn't know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.

  • Romans 13:10 3 votes

    Love doesn't harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

  • 1 John 4:7 3 votes

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

  • Galatians 5:13 2 votes

    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.

  • 1 John 3:18 2 votes

    My little children, let's not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.

  • 1 Peter 1:22 2 votes

    Seeing you have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth through the Spirit in sincere brotherly affection, love one another from the heart fervently:

Related topics

Go deeper

Ask Explain Bible AI about showing our love for one another and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.

Ask what the Bible says about showing our love for one another