Loving others is one of the most prevalent themes in the New Testament, with Jesus proclaiming that the greatest two commandments are to love the Lord and to have love for others. And Bible verses about loving others make it clear that it’s essential to have love not only for our friends and family, but also for enemies and those we dislike.
Considering that a major Biblical focus is loving others, we can use the example of Jesus Christ to show us the way. Here are some of the best Bible verses about loving others:
John 3:16 is most frequently used when discussing Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and eternal life, but the verse also provides a blueprint for how we should treat others. Considering that God so loved us that He sent Jesus, we, too, should extend love and grace to others — even those who have hurt and offended us.
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Jesus calls on all of us to engage in loving others, just as He has loved us. This is one of the Bible verses that makes it clear that God’s love is the blueprint to follow in our own lives.
We should have no ill will toward those around us, with the importance of loving others being emphasized in this verse.
The New Testament calls Christians to go above and beyond to help others. Whether it is the sick or those in need, the Bible repeatedly offers guidance aimed at sparking goodness in how we interact with and love those around us.
Bible verses about loving others call us to help the fatherless, widows and others who face uphill battles in life or challenges. The greater love we show, the more we’re living out God’s plan for our lives.
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There are Bible verses about loving others such as Luke 6:27-28 that make one thing abundantly clear: We’re not only called to love people we like; we’re also called to love our enemies and those whom we dislike.
While it might be difficult to show greater love to those who have hurt or persecuted you, Jesus Christ calls us to pray for these people. This is an act of love that can spark humility inside of us, while also blessing even those people who have harmed us.
As a Christian, you are called to love your neighbor as yourself. Considering that most of us seek our own well-being, this verse is convicting ad important.
God is the ultimate example of love, with Jesus Christ and his sacrifice to bring us eternal life offering a stark reminder for us to ensure we love others with the same fervency.
1 John 4:11 builds upon the importance of loving others, reminding Christians that God’s love for humanity is so powerful that it should be our own standard in our relationships and treatment or others.
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Without love, we are nothing. Jesus Christ calls us to love God and love others. If we fail to live by these commands, we are missing the boat on goodness and what it really means to be a Christian.
This is one of the Bible verses about loving others that focuses on the connection between the selflessness of Christ’s death on the cross and the way in which we’re called to interact with others.
One way we can effectively love others is to bear their burdens — to hear them out when it comes to their pains and struggles, and to offer assistance if and when it applies. If we help one another, we can all truly learn and grow.
Brotherly love is an excellent way to treat others. If we operate with kindness and affection and treat those around us as though we deeply care, we can be living out exactly what Jesus Christ called us to do.
We should pour ourselves out and shower love and grace upon those who need it. Not only is this good for the people around us, but it helps to fulfill our own souls, while bringing us into compliance with the gospel.
Among Bible verses about loving others are scriptures that remind us not to allow bitterness to overtake us. We must step beyond ourselves and show greater love by forgiving those who have harmed us, remember in the process how Jesus Christ has forgiven us for our wrongs.
Charity and giving to those in need is yet another way to show love for others. The Bible calls us to help meet the physical needs of those who cannot help themselves.
Jesus Christ’s death on the cross was the greatest act of love in history. Jesus’ death gives us eternal life, but it also inspires us to be loving others by showing God’s love to those we encounter.
Keeping positive friendships is also important. Being a good friend means being there for those around you, particularly when tough times strike. Show greater love by increasing your love for your friends. Make time to listen to their needs, wants and struggles.
Remember that love has the power to “cast out fear.” So when chaos and uncertainty strike, seek those who love you — and be a rock for those who are struggling and fearful. Keeping healthy relationships is key, as is being intentional about showing your life for others.
Remember to be charitable and to give, especially if your life is filled with blessings. We show greater love by helping those who desperately need it.
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Another essential Bible verse about loving others is given to husbands, with scripture telling husbands to love and care for their wives in the same way Jesus loved the church.
Love is important, not only for friends and family — but even for strangers. It’s important that we extend a hand to those in need, as the Bible verses about loving others command Christians to do so.
Here’s another one of the Bible verses telling husbands to love their wives. The message is simple and its repetition should speak volumes about how spouses are to treat one another.
When it comes to the pursuit of following God and finding eternal life, Jesus tells us evidence of our faith can be seen in how we love one another. Loving others is essential and Christ makes this more than clear in this scripture.
You can get more biblical inspiration about love and marriage here.