45 Key Bible Verses About Love

Love is such a wonderful feeling…right?!!! Not so fast. You may be surprised that there are many different types of love. While some meanings are emotional-related, others are more sacrificial and service-based! Let’s take a peek inside all of these doors to reveal the secret of loving someone from a Biblical perspective. We’ll even study the original Hebrew and Greek meaning for discovering the real and thought-provoking Bible Scriptures on Love.
The World’s Definition of Love
Let’s first check out Google’s meaning of Love. Whether it’s Valentine’s Day or just an average day, it’s time to dig deep into the heart of the matter — LOVE! Interestingly, Google says it’s just a feeling or emotion. Here’s what Google says about the definition of love:
- an intense feeling of deep affection.
- a great interest and pleasure in something.
- feel deep affection for someone.
- like or enjoy very much.
In contrast, let’s compare Google’s definition to the Bible’s definition of love using these key love scriptures:
- 1 John 3:18 – Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
- 1 John 3:16 – Perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us.
- 1 John 5:3 – This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.
- John 3:16 – God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son.
- John 15:13 – Greater love has no man than a man laying down his life for his friends.
Are you seeing a pattern here? Since God is the real meaning of love, then these love Scripture verses are telling us that the greatest love is shown by your actions or deeds, telling the truth, sacrificing our own desires, even if it means including our lives. That is the true definition of love. Need a good, solid Bible? Try one HERE.
True Biblical Love
Do you have true Biblical love for your spouse, children, friends, and family? If we were honest with ourselves, we probably need to work on our love for others.
Who’s definition are you going to follow? The world or the Word? As I mentioned, these Bible Verses are thought-provoking and possibly life-changing if you focus on the Word and not your heart!
Now, it’s not to say that feelings and emotions don’t play a part. I’m happy that God gives us the innate ability to have a sense of affection for one another. It’s wonderful, fulfilling, and a sensation like no other when you feel the love for someone.
Yet, often we get hurt or rejected by loved ones and sometimes replace that love with negative emotions like bitterness, resentment, and hatred. Let’s keep on focusing on God’s love, it’s much better for the soul and spirit!
What is a Good Bible Verse for a Relationship?
There are some really great Bible Verses in the KJV version that talks about love in a relationship. Here are a few that focus on true love whether it’s a relationship with a boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse, child, friend, or family member.
John 13:34 – A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Proverbs 18:24 -A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
1 Thessalonians 5:11- Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
1 Peter 4:8 -And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Ephesians 5:22-33 – Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Colossians 3:19 – Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
Exodus 20:12 – Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Ephesians 6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Guard your heart so it stays pure. Find out how you can have a healthy heart with this free Healthy Spiritual Heart printable!
What are the 4 Types of Love in the Bible?
You see a couple kissing in a parking lot. A mother gives a hug to her son. A girl loves her beautiful doll. While we use the word ‘love’ frequently, there are 4 different types of love. While some meanings of love involve emotions, others are sacrificial and selfless types of charity.
Eros
The Greek word “Eros” is used to describe the romantic love between a man and a woman. While technically the word can’t be found in the Bible, romantic love is revealed many times. Romantic love is a gift from God and can be found when the first man and woman appear in the Bible. Adam saw Eve and it stirred up his emotions.
In addition, more examples are found throughout the book Song of Solomon, you’ll find an explosion of love between a man and a woman in the confines of marriage.
Storge
Another type in Greek is a family or brotherly love called Storge. We naturally have this type of affection for our parents, siblings, and cousins. You won’t find this word in the Bible but the principle exists in Romans 12:10.
Philia
Philia is the Greek word used to describe a deep, devoted type of friendship. The word Philia binds two people together and holds them through thick and thin. These types of friends are faithful and will see you through the good and bad. A great example of devoted friendship is the relationship between David and Jonathan.
Agape love is much more than a feeling, its an action or service towards another person.
Agape
“Agape” is the Greek word for sacrificial, self-giving love that is primarily concerned with the good of someone else. Agape love is much more than a feeling, its an action or service towards another person. In Strong’s dictionary, this type of love is affection, charity, and benevolence.
Bible Definition of Love
Let’s now break it down into the languages of the Old Testament (Hebrew) and New Testament (Greek) original transcripts.
Hebrew Words of Love
The Old Testament speaks much of God having an almost unbelievable love for people. The main Hebrew words used in the Old Testament to define God’s love are “ahab”, “ahabah”, “habab”, “hashaq” and “hesed”. Let’s dissect each word for its true meaning.
- Ahab – this verb is compared to ‘love’ in English by having a strong emotional bond or be present with the object. Examples are Isaac & his wife in Genesis 24:67 and Abraham and his son Issac in Genesis 22:2
- Ahabah – it’s the type of love that God has for His people in Deuteronomy 7:8, Hosea 3:1, and Isaiah 63:9.
- Habab – is to cherish with tender love, to hide in the bosom, to love fervently, and so to protect as in Deuteronomy 33:3.
- Hashaq – Another type of love is found Deuteronomy 7:7, Psalm 91:14 and Isaiah 38:17 to connect or join together with delight, desire, and longing as God does for His people.
- Hesed – loyalty or faithfulness within a relationship like when God talks to Moses in Exodus 34:6–7 or when David spends time with his friend Jonathan in 1 Samuel 18:3 or Boaz’s description of Ruth’s love for Naomi in Ruth 3:10.
Greek Words of Love
The 2 typical words used in the New Testament of the Original Greek is the noun “agape” and its corresponding verb “agapao”. Both words represent the main attributes of Christianity.
- Agapao – The word “agapao”, used in the Bible 143 times, means to love, be fond of, or be well pleased in a moral or social sense whether it’s people or things.
- Agape – The term “agape” love is described in the Strong’s dictionary as mentioned above as having an affection, charity, and benevolence for someone.
What did Jesus Say About Love?
Jesus addressed the idea of love in many New Testament Bible verses. The most famous one of all encompasses the true meaning of love, is revealed in Matthew 22:37-40.
Matthew 22:37-40 KJV -Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Here are some additional love Bible Verses that Jesus spoke about in the scriptures:
John 3: 16 – 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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Matthew 5:44 – But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Matthew 16:24 – Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Matthew 18: 12-14 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Bible Scriptures on Love KJV
We’re going to now break it down even further on what the Bible says about love in marriage, one another, and more. Here are some key passages of scripture that go into detail on the various kinds of relationships with have with others and how to love them biblically.
Bible Scriptures on Love and Marriage
Love and marriage go hand in hand. If you marry someone and stay married, you must stay in love for that person, otherwise, bitterness and resentment will seep in and destroy your relationship with your spouse. If you are feeling negative emotions towards your spouse, remember and meditate on these scriptures below throughout the day until they are hidden in your heart.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
1 Peter 3:1 – Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
Ephesians 5:28 – So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Bible Scriptures on Love One Another
So, how do we love each other, especially when we don’t feel like it? God’s wise words tell us how we can love one another by being kind with our words and actions.
John 13:34 – A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
1 John 4:20 – If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
Romans 12:10 – Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
1 John 3:18 – My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
Luke 6:31 – And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Luke 6:35 – But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Bible Scriptures on Love and Relationships
Anyone you come in contact with frequently is in a relationship whether it’s a neighbor, coworker, friend, or online friend. Sometimes we get into struggles or arguments with our daily connections, and it’s important to shift our focus from feelings to a Biblical view on how to handle these relationships.
Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.Bible Scriptures on love and forgiveness.
Romans 13:10 – Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Mark 12:31 – And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Bible Scriptures on Love of Money
Do you find yourself thinking about money all of the time? Maybe you have an addiction to making money? Regardless of whether you are rich with money or poor without money, there’s an unhealthy result when you worship the gain of wealth and possessions. Yet, there’s nothing wrong with wanting the security of money to provide for your family and give to those in need. Just be careful not to mix up the two.
1 Timothy 6:10 – For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Matthew 6:24 – No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Hebrews 13:5 – Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 – But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. (Read More…)
Matthew 6:31-33 – Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (Read More…)
Matthew 6:19 – Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Proverbs 13:11 – Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
Scriptures on Love and Unity
Having a sense of unity among each other is something admirable and Biblical to God. We should not be seeking division or causing strife among ourselves. Here are some sound scriptures that back up how love and unity go hand in hand within the body of Christ.
Ephesians 4:1-2 -I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love.
1 Corinthians 1:10-11 – Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Philippians 2:1-3 – If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
2 Corinthians 13:11 – Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
As we’ve discovered, love can have several meanings, depending upon the context. Yes, there are feelings of love or adorable, yet, the deeper kind of love is sacrificial and serving. Keep your heart and hands close to the Word of God as these key Love Bible Verses for you will open the door to the right relationships using the true meaning of love.