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Bible Verses About Love
God is love, and everything the Bible says about love flows from that. 1 Corinthians 13, John 3:16 and 1 John 4:19 are among the clearest verses about love. Scripture describes love not mainly as a feeling but as patient, kind, self-giving action, the way God has loved us first.
Bible verses about love
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16 · King James Version (public domain)
“We love him, because he first loved us.”
1 John 4:19 · King James Version (public domain)
“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.”
1 Corinthians 13:4 · King James Version (public domain)
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”
John 13:34 · King James Version (public domain)
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8 · King James Version (public domain)
God's love is proven not toward the deserving but toward sinners, offered before we ever turned to Him.
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
1 John 4:8 · King James Version (public domain)
Love is not merely something God does; it is who He is, so knowing Him and loving others cannot be separated.
How these verses point to Christ
The Bible's clearest picture of love is a cross. John 3:16 says God so loved the world that He gave His Son, and Romans 5:8 says Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This is why John can say God is love; He proved it not in sentiment but in sacrifice. Every command to love one another flows from being first loved this way.
Read these verses in full
Each of these has its own page with the whole verse, what it means, and how it points to Christ.
You do not have to carry this alone
On The Living Bread you can read these passages in full, ask Simon what they mean, hear how Christ has met others in the same place, and pray them with a community that will pray for you by name. You are welcome exactly as you are.
Questions people ask about love
- What does the Bible say about love?
- 1 John 4:8 says plainly, 'God is love,' and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 describes it: love 'suffereth long, and is kind... beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.'
- What is the greatest commandment?
- Jesus said the greatest is to 'love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,' and the second, 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself' (Matthew 22:37-39). On these two hang all the law and the prophets.
- What did Jesus say about love?
- Jesus gave a new commandment: 'That ye love one another; as I have loved you' (John 13:34), and He said, 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends' (John 15:13).
- What is the Bible's definition of love?
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is the Bible's fullest definition: love is patient and kind, not envious, proud, or self-seeking, keeps no record of wrong, and 'never faileth.'
- How does God show His love for us?
- Supremely at the cross: 'God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us' (Romans 5:8). John 3:16 says He 'so loved the world' that He gave His Son.
- How can I love difficult people?
- Jesus said, 'Love your enemies, bless them that curse you' (Matthew 5:44), and 1 John 4:20-21 reminds us that loving God and loving our brother belong together. Ask God to love others through you.
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