What does the Bible say about treating others?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible calls us to treat every person with the love, humility, fairness, and mercy that flow from knowing God’s grace in Christ. Jesus gives the clear rule in Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31: do for others what you would want done for you. He also commands love for neighbor and even for enemies, reflecting the gracious character of our heavenly Father (Matthew 5:43-48; Matthew 22:39). Philippians 2:3-4 forbids selfish ambition and calls believers to count others’ interests as significant. James 2:2-3 warns against showing favoritism based on wealth or appearance. Such love does not earn salvation, but is the fitting fruit of faith and the Spirit’s renewing work.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Matthew 7:12
Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
- 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.
- Philippians 2:3-4
[3] doing nothing through rivalry or through conceit, but in humility, each counting others better than himself; [4] each of you not just looking to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.
- Luke 6:31
"As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them.
- Matthew 22:39
A second likewise is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
- James 2:2-3
[2] For if a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, comes into your assembly, and a poor man in filthy clothing also comes in; [3] and you pay special attention to him who wears the fine clothing, and say, "Sit here in a good place;" and you tell the poor man, "Stand there," or "Sit by my footstool;"
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about treating others and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about treating others