True love goes beyond feelings and is defined by selflessness and sacrifice. Today, we’ll explore what the Bible says about love and how it shapes our relationships with others.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About The Cross
What Does The Bible Say About True Love
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
This passage from 1 Corinthians is often referred to as the “love chapter” in the Bible. It beautifully defines true love and its qualities. True love is patient, demonstrating a gentle and understanding nature. It is kind, exhibiting acts of compassion and generosity towards others. It is not jealous or boastful, and it does not seek its own interests. Instead, true love places the needs of others above itself and does not hold grudges. It rejoices in truth and righteousness, always looking out for the well-being of others and persevering through challenges. In essence, true love is characterized by selflessness, forgiveness, and unwavering commitment.
John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
Jesus expresses the ultimate act of true love in this verse. He emphasizes that the greatest love is demonstrated through the sacrifice of one’s own life for the sake of others. This verse shows the incomparable depth of true love, where one is willing to give everything, even their life, for those they care about. Jesus Himself exemplified this love by willingly laying down His life on the cross for the salvation of humanity. It serves as a reminder for us to strive towards selfless acts of love that prioritize the well-being of others above our own.
Romans 13:10
“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
True love is closely tied to fulfilling God’s commandments. This verse from Romans highlights that love is the essence of the law, as it prohibits harming others. True love seeks the well-being and welfare of our neighbors, promoting peace, and avoiding actions that cause harm or injustice. It is through love that we demonstrate obedience to God’s commandments and reflect His character in our relationships with others. This verse reminds us that love is not just a feeling but an active choice to treat others with kindness, respect, and compassion.
1 John 4:7
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”
This verse emphasizes that the origin of true love is God Himself. It encourages believers to love one another because love is a characteristic of God. By demonstrating love towards others, we reflect the nature of God and reveal the transformation that comes from receiving His love. Love is a tangible expression of our relationship with God. It is through His love that we are born again and experience a deep connection with Him. In essence, true love is a divine gift that enables us to experience and share God’s unconditional love with others.
Ephesians 4:2
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of humility, gentleness, and patience in expressing true love. True love requires us to set aside pride and arrogance and instead approach others with humility and gentleness. It calls us to be patient and understanding when faced with differences or conflicts, choosing to bear with one another in love. True love seeks reconciliation and unity, demonstrating grace and forgiveness towards others. This verse serves as a reminder to cultivate these qualities in our relationships, allowing true love to thrive and grow.
Colossians 3:14
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Love is portrayed as the virtue that binds all other virtues together in perfect unity. It is the foundation on which all other virtues rely. True love serves as a unifying force, bringing harmony and completeness to our character. When love is present, other virtues such as kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and patience find their fullest expression. This verse encourages us to prioritize and cultivate love in our lives, knowing that it has the power to bring about wholeness and unity in all aspects of our being.
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
This verse contrasts the destructive power of hatred with the redemptive power of love. Hatred breeds conflict, division, and strife, but true love operates differently. Love has the ability to cover over wrongs, encouraging forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoration. It seeks to mend broken relationships and promote peace. Rather than harboring bitterness or seeking revenge, true love chooses to extend grace and compassion, seeking healing and unity. This verse teaches us the importance of responding to wrongs with love and forgiveness, allowing love to triumph over hate.
Proverbs 17:17
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
This verse highlights the enduring nature of true love in the context of friendship. True friends are characterized by love that persists through all seasons of life. They stand by each other, offering support, encouragement, and care. True love is not conditional but remains steadfast, even in times of difficulty and adversity. It is a bond that is specially designed to withstand challenges and provide strength in times of need. This verse encourages us to cultivate friendships grounded in true love and to be a true friend to others, even during the toughest times.
1 Peter 1:22
“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.”
True love is not superficial or shallow but runs deep, originating from a pure heart. This verse urges believers to love one another sincerely and deeply, displaying genuine affection and care. It points out that this sincere love is made possible through obedience to the truth of God’s Word. When we align our lives with His truth, our love for others becomes more authentic and meaningful. True love requires a heart transformed by God, enabling us to love others selflessly and wholeheartedly.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
This passage describes the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love as the first quality mentioned. It highlights that true love is not something one can produce solely in their own strength but is a result of the Holy Spirit’s work within them. Love is a manifestation of the Spirit’s presence in our lives, demonstrating divine qualities such as joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. True love, therefore, is not merely an emotion or a human effort but a supernatural expression of God’s character enabled by His Spirit.
Matthew 22:37-39
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Jesus summarizes the most important commandments, both of which revolve around love. True love begins with a wholehearted devotion to God, loving Him with every aspect of our being. It then extends to loving our neighbors as ourselves. This commandment emphasizes the interconnectedness of love for God and love for others. True love is vertical, expressed towards God, and horizontal, demonstrated in our relationships with fellow human beings. When we prioritize these foundational commandments, true love becomes the guiding force in our lives, transforming both our relationship with God and our interactions with others.
1 John 3:16
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
This verse emphasizes the ultimate example of true love displayed through Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross. It serves as a standard for us to follow, encouraging us to lay down our own lives and interests for the well-being and benefit of our brothers and sisters in Christ. True love calls us to selflessly serve others, even if it requires sacrifice. Just as Jesus gave up everything, including His life, for our sake, we are called to demonstrate true love through selfless acts of service and care for one another.
Mark 12:31
“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Jesus reaffirms the significance of loving our neighbors in this verse. He states that loving our neighbors is second only to loving God with all our heart, soul, and mind. By emphasizing the importance of love for one another, Jesus highlights the transformative power of true love in our relationships. It prompts us to treat others with the same care, consideration, and respect that we have for ourselves. True love, as Jesus teaches, holds great importance and value, and is central to living a life that pleases God and impacts those around us.
Proverbs 3:3-4
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
This passage highlights the inseparable nature of love and faithfulness. It encourages us to treasure and uphold these qualities in all our dealings. Love and faithfulness should become an integral part of our character, guiding our actions and decisions. When we prioritize love and faithfulness, we are pleasing to both God and our fellow human beings. True love and faithfulness bring favor and a good reputation, demonstrating the transformative impact they can have on our relationships and our witness as believers.
1 Corinthians 16:14
“Do everything in love.”
This simple yet profound verse captures the essence of true love. It calls believers to approach all aspects of life with love as the underlying motivation. True love should permeate every action, word, and attitude. It guides us to treat others with kindness, respect, and compassion in every circumstance. Without genuine love, our actions and efforts lose their significance. This verse reminds us to live a life characterized by love, allowing it to shape our interactions, decisions, and responses to others. True love encompasses and influences all that we do, leaving a lasting impact on the lives of those we encounter.
Proverbs 30:5
“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
God’s Word, the Bible, reflects His perfect and flawless nature. This verse assures us that every word of God can be trusted without reservation. It reminds us of the importance of seeking and following God’s guidance in our lives. True love involves aligning our values, attitudes, and actions with the truth of God’s Word. It is through this alignment that we find refuge and protection, shielded by God’s love and guidance. When we embrace and live by the truths contained in the Scriptures, we experience the fullness of God’s love and are equipped to love others more deeply.
1 Peter 4:8
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
This verse emphasizes the paramount importance of deep love for one another. True love has the power to cover a multitude of sins, allowing forgiveness and reconciliation to take place. It challenges believers to prioritize love above all else, recognizing its transformative impact on relationships. When love is present, it fosters an environment of grace, mercy, and understanding. True love enables us to look past the faults and mistakes of others, extending forgiveness and compassion. It encourages us to seek unity and restoration, paving the way for healing and growth in our relationships.
James 2:8
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.”
This verse highlights the significance of living out the command to love our neighbors as ourselves. It states that by faithfully living out this royal law of love, we are doing what is right in the sight of God. True love is not just an emotion or a feeling but a deliberate choice to treat others with compassion, kindness, and respect. It prompts us to consider the needs and well-being of others, just as we do for ourselves. When we genuinely love our neighbors, we fulfill God’s expectations and bring honor to His name.
1 Corinthians 14:1
“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.”
This verse encourages believers to pursue and prioritize the way of love. True love should be the guiding principle in our lives, shaping our thoughts, words, and actions. It calls us to eagerly desire the gifts of the Holy Spirit, particularly the gift of prophecy, which allows us to speak God’s truth in love. True love enables us to operate in the power of the Spirit, allowing His gifts to be expressed in a way that edifies and builds up others. By following the way of love and seeking the gifts of the Spirit, we become effective vessels of God’s love and grace in the world.
1 Thessalonians 3:12
“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.”
Paul, in this verse, prays for the Thessalonian believers that their love may continue to grow and overflow towards one another and all people they encounter. True love is not limited or exclusive but extends to all. It is a love that knows no boundaries or restrictions. This verse serves as a reminder to cultivate a love that is inclusive, compassionate, and ever-growing. It is through this expansive love that we reflect the heart of God and impact the lives of those around us.
1 John 4:19
“We love because he first loved us.”
This verse reminds us that our ability to love is rooted in God’s love for us. True love originates from experiencing and receiving God’s unconditional love. As we intimately understand and embrace His love, we are then enabled to extend that same love to others. God’s love is the catalyst that empowers us to love one another genuinely and selflessly. It is a continuous cycle of receiving and giving love. This verse inspires us to continuously seek a deeper understanding and experience of God’s love so that we may pour it out onto others.
John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”
Jesus gives His disciples a new commandment to love one another, just as He has loved them. True love is not an option but an essential characteristic of Jesus’ followers. Through our love for one another, we demonstrate to the world that we are true disciples of Christ. It is through selfless acts of love, sacrifice, and compassion that we distinctly reflect the love of God to those around us. This verse challenges us to assess our love for others and ensure that it aligns with the love Christ displayed and taught.
Romans 12:9
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of genuine and sincere love. It calls believers to cultivate a love that is not hypocritical or superficial but transparent and authentic. True love involves having a discerning heart that abhors evil and passionately holds onto what is good. It challenges us to live with integrity and to actively reject and distance ourselves from actions, attitudes, and behaviors that are contrary to love. True love compels us to consciously choose good and pursue righteousness, guided by God’s Word and the leading of His Spirit.
Luke 10:27
“He answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus provides a twofold response that centers around love. True love begins with wholehearted and whole-being love for God. It encompasses every aspect of our being, including our emotions, will, intellect, and physical strength. We are called to express this love for God through our obedience and devotion to Him. Simultaneously, true love extends to our neighbors, emphasizing the importance of treating others with the same care and concern that we have for ourselves. Love for God and love for others are inseparable, forming the foundation of the Christian faith and guiding our relationships with both God and fellow human beings.
1 Timothy 1:5
“The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”
This verse highlights that the ultimate purpose of the commandments is love. True love is not simply a set of actions or behaviors, but it originates from a heart that has been purified by God. A pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith are all essential elements of true love. When our hearts are redirected towards God, filled with His love, and our lives are characterized by a genuine faith, we are equipped to fulfill the goal of the commandments, which is to love. True love is the outflow of a transformed heart and a life lived in obedience to God’s truth.