What does the Bible say about love?
The world uses “love” for everything: tacos, a song, a crush, a spouse. What does God mean by it?
In the Bible, love is not mainly a feeling. It is choosing the good of someone else, even when it costs you. “God is love” (1 John 4:8), and He showed what love is at the cross, where Jesus laid down His life for us (1 John 3:16). “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud” (1 Corinthians 13:4). Jesus said the greatest commands are to love God with everything and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37–39). In plain words: real love gives, even when it doesn’t get.
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Jesus washed their feet
At the last meal before the cross, Jesus got up, wrapped a towel around His waist, poured water into a basin and began washing His disciples’ feet, the job of the lowest servant. He washed the feet of Peter, who would deny Him, and of Judas, who would betray Him that night. Then He said, “As I have loved you, so you also must love one another” (John 13:1–15, 34).
1 Corinthians 13, in plain words
Love waits without snapping. Love is kind when it would be easier not to be. Love isn’t jealous or showy or full of itself. It doesn’t insist on its own way. It doesn’t keep a list of wrongs. It is glad about truth, not about someone else’s failure. It never gives up (1 Corinthians 13:4–7).
How to love hard people
Remember how God loved you while you were still His enemy (Romans 5:8–10). Pray for them by name (Matthew 5:44). Do one good thing for them. Set healthy boundaries where needed; love doesn’t mean letting someone harm you. Ask God to love them through you.
What the Bible says
- 01
Love is patient.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed.”
1 Corinthians 13:4–8 - 02
God is love.
“Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His love is perfected in us.”
1 John 4:7–12 - 03
God so loved.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 - 04
Love one another.
“A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.””
John 13:34–35 - 05
While we were still sinners.
“But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 - 06
Love your enemies.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:43–44
Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.
Read 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 and put your own name where it says “love.” Pick the line that’s hardest, and practice it this week.
Common questions
What are the kinds of love in the Bible?
The New Testament uses agapē for God’s self-giving love and phileō for close friendship. Eros (romantic love) is celebrated in Song of Songs, within marriage.
Does loving someone mean accepting everything they do?
No. Love “rejoices in the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). You can love someone and still disagree with them.
How do I know God loves me?
Look at the cross. “God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
You weren’t made to do life alone.
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