"God is love" (1 John 4:8): the Bible does not merely say that God loves, but that love is his essence. Everything starts there: "we love him, because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Biblical love is not first a feeling but a decision that proves itself — "God commends his own love toward us" at the cross (Romans 5:8).
1 Corinthians 13 gives its most famous portrait: patient, kind, without envy, without pride; not easily provoked, keeping no record of wrongs, bearing all things, hoping all things. Try reading it with your own name in place of "love" — the exercise is formidable.
Bible verses about love
« Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, »
« For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. »
« He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love. »
« A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. »
« But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. »
« We love him, because he first loved us. »
« Let all that you do be done in love. »
« Many waters can’t quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man would give all the wealth of his house for love, he would be utterly scorned. »
Frequently asked questions about love
What are the different words for "love" in the Bible?
Greek distinguishes agape (unconditional love, God's love), philia (friendship) and eros (romantic love, celebrated in the Song of Songs). The New Testament makes agape the mark of the disciples.
How do I love someone hard to love?
Biblical love starts with actions, not emotions: pray for the person, serve them, speak kindly to them. Feeling often follows action — and the source remains 1 John 4:19: we love out of the love we received.
What is the greatest commandment?
Jesus names two inseparable ones: love God with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself. "The whole law and the prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:40).