Introduction
Jesus summed up the whole law in two commandments: love God, and love your neighbor as yourself. The second is often quoted but rarely practiced in all its radical nature. Who is my neighbor? The one who is close to me, but also the stranger, the one who has hurt me, and even my enemy. Scripture refuses to reduce this love to feelings: it speaks of deeds, time given, goods shared, forgiveness, kind words. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, are read in five stages: the greatest commandment, who my neighbor is, loving in deed rather than in word, loving enemies, and then living this love with others in community. If you feel worn out from loving, remember that these texts describe a love received before it is given: "Just as I have loved you, you also love one another."
The greatest commandment
1. Matthew 22:37-39
"Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
A teacher of the law asks Jesus which is the great commandment. Jesus quotes Deuteronomy about loving God, then adds a second, similar to it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." The two are linked: you do not love God by ignoring the people he has created. Read all of Matthew 22.
2. Leviticus 19:18
"‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh."
Jesus did not invent this commandment, he quotes it from the book of Leviticus. There God gives his people rules for community life, among them: "You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge." Love of neighbor begins by giving up revenge. Read all of Leviticus 19.
3. Romans 13:8-10
"Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law."
Paul writes to the Romans that the debt of love is the only one we never finish paying. He draws this conclusion: "he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." The prohibitions of the law, not murdering, not stealing, not coveting, are summed up in a love that does no harm to a neighbor. Read all of Romans 13.
4. Galatians 5:14
"For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Paul writes to churches that are tearing each other apart over the law. He reminds them that "the whole law is fulfilled in one word," that of love for one's neighbor. Theological debates have their place, but they lose their meaning if we stop loving those around us. Read all of Galatians 5.
Who is my neighbor?
5. Luke 10:33-34
"But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him."
A teacher of the law wants to know who his neighbor is. Jesus tells the parable of an injured man left on the road to Jericho. The Samaritan, despised by Jews, "was moved with compassion," cares for him and pays for his stay. The neighbor is the one who stops. Read all of Luke 10.
6. Luke 10:36-37
"Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?” He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise."
Jesus reverses the question: instead of asking who is my neighbor, he asks which one proved to be a neighbor to the injured man. The teacher answers: the one who showed mercy. Then Jesus concludes: "Go and do likewise." Love of neighbor is lived concretely. Read all of Luke 10.
7. Matthew 25:40
"The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."
In the judgment scene, the king welcomes those who fed, clothed and visited the least. He says to them: "you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." Serving a little one is serving Christ himself. Read all of Matthew 25.
8. Leviticus 19:34
"The stranger who lives as a foreigner with you shall be to you as the native-born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you lived as foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God."
God extends the reach of love beyond the familiar circle. The stranger living among his people must be treated like one of their own, because "you shall love him as yourself; for you lived as foreigners in the land of Egypt." The memory of one's own fragility trains compassion. Read all of Leviticus 19.
Loving in deed, not only in word
9. 1 John 3:17-18
"But whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, then closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him? My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth."
John asks a disturbing question: how can God's love remain in someone who sees his brother in need and closes his heart? He draws a call from it: "let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth." Love is an act that costs something. Read all of 1 John 3.
10. James 2:15-16
"And if a brother or sister is naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you tells them, “Go in peace. Be warmed and filled;” yet you didn’t give them the things the body needs, what good is it?"
James imagines a brother or sister lacking clothes and food. Saying only "Go in peace. Be warmed and filled" without giving anything is of no use. A faith that does not show itself in concrete actions is empty, just like love. Read all of James 2.
11. 1 John 4:20-21
"If a man says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother."
John leaves no room for a love of God disconnected from love of others. "he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" Whoever loves God has received the commandment to love his brother as well. Read all of 1 John 4.
12. Proverbs 3:27
"Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it."
The wise writer sets a simple rule for everyday relationships. "Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due," when it is in your power to do it. It is about doing the service you can do, without waiting for tomorrow or inventing pretexts. Read all of Proverbs 3.
Loving even your enemies
13. Matthew 5:43-45
"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust."
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus cites the popular saying: love your neighbor and hate your enemy. He goes beyond it: "love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you." The Father makes his sun rise on the good and the evil, and his children resemble him. Read all of Matthew 5.
14. Luke 6:27-28
"But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you."
In the Sermon on the Plain, Jesus speaks to those who are listening. He asks them to do good to those who hate them and to pray for those who mistreat them. Prayer is the first weapon of love for enemies, because it changes first the one who prays. Read all of Luke 6.
15. Romans 12:17-18
"Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men."
Paul teaches the Romans how to react when mistreated. "Repay no one evil for evil," but respect what is honorable in the sight of all. Then he states the limit: as much as it is up to you, live at peace with all. You do not control the other, only your part. Read all of Romans 12.
16. Romans 12:20-21
"Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Paul quotes the book of Proverbs: if your enemy is hungry, feed him. Then he concludes with a principle that sums up the Christian strategy: "overcome evil with good." Answering evil with evil lets evil win. Answering with good disarms it. Read all of Romans 12.
Living this love together
17. John 13:34-35
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
On the night of the Last Supper, just after washing his disciples' feet, Jesus gives them a new commandment: to love one another as he has loved them. He makes it a distinctive sign: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." Read all of John 13.
18. 1 Peter 4:8
"And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins."
Peter writes to Christians who live in community despite frictions. Above all, he says, have earnest love among yourselves, for "love covers a multitude of sins." To love is not to close one's eyes, but to choose not to make faults a permanent subject. Read all of 1 Peter 4.
19. 1 Thessalonians 3:12
"May the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you,"
Paul prays for the Thessalonians, whom he had to leave abruptly. He asks: "May the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another, and toward all men." Love can grow. It is asked for in prayer, because only the Lord can make it grow beyond our limits. Read all of 1 Thessalonians 3.
20. Hebrews 10:24
"Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works,"
The author invites believers not to desert their gatherings. He proposes a concrete goal: "Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works." Each person has the responsibility to stimulate others, with a word, an example, an invitation. Read all of Hebrews 10.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is my neighbor according to the Bible?
In the parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10), the neighbor is not defined by proximity or origin: he is the one who stops to help. Leviticus includes the stranger (19:34), and Jesus adds the enemy (Matthew 5:44). Your neighbor is therefore anyone placed on your path.
What does "love your neighbor as yourself" mean?
It means wanting for others the good you want for yourself, and acting accordingly. It is not an order to love yourself first: it assumes that we naturally take care of ourselves. Galatians 5:14 shows that the whole law is summed up in this commandment.
How can you love someone who has hurt you?
Loving does not mean excusing everything or remaining exposed to danger. It begins by giving up revenge, praying for the person (Luke 6:28) and wanting their good (Romans 12:21). If the wound is deep, move at your own pace and be accompanied by a church leader or a professional.