What does the Bible say about love?

Love is not only a central theme in the Bible, love is the core of God’s nature and character. Love is at the heart of God’s interaction with humanity, from creation to eternity. This selfless love of God is the lens through which Christians understand who God is, their relationships with others, and their purpose.  

God’s immeasurable love is the basis of his relationship with his people in the Bible, and his call for Christians to love others. The Bible provides beautiful and transformative insights into this topic which is essential for humankind. Whether you’re seeking to understand God’s love for people, how to love others, or even what the Bible says about romantic love, Scripture is a rich, and at times, challenging source of wisdom and guidance.  

What does the Bible say about God’s love?

The Bible portrays God’s love as reliable, sacrificial, and unchanging. The ultimate expression of God’s love can be seen in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This verse highlights God’s lavish love for people and his desire for everyone to experience salvation.  

There are many facets to God’s love, from which Christians take encouragement: 

• He IS love: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” – 1 John 4:8  

• His love never ends: “Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.” – Psalm 136:26 

• His love is unconditional: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8 

God’s love for us is not based on our performance or worthiness, it is a gift of grace. Understanding and receiving God’s love transforms our lives, filling us with hope and empowering us to love others selflessly. 

What does the Bible say about loving others?

The Bible calls Christians to reflect God’s love in their interactions with others. Jesus taught this in Matthew 22:37-39: “‘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 neighbour as yourself.’” The reconciling love of Jesus should be a hallmark Christian living. This love is more than words or platitudes, it is proactive and practical. 

There are many Scriptures that instruct us to love others: 

• We are commanded to love one another: “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.” (John 13:34-35) 

• Love our enemies: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44) 

• Care for the vulnerable: “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…” (James 1:27a) 

The call to love others encourages Christians to engage in missional work, supporting and uplifting those in need. Bible Society Australia (BSA) is a Christian missional organisation that supports literacy programs in impoverished communities, translation projects that make Scriptures accessible to all people, and distributes God’s word to those who desperately desire it. We invite you to explore BSA’s mission and projects and learn how you can make a difference here. 

What does the Bible say about falling in love?

Romantic love is a beautiful and sacred gift from God. In Genesis 2:24, marriage is established as a holy union: “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Love in a marriage is more than feelings of affection; it should reflect God’s love, which is selfless, faithful, and enduring. 

Biblical teachings on love and relationships: 

• The qualities of love: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour 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.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) 

• A wife is gift from God: “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favour from the Lord.” (Proverbs 18:22) 

• How husbands and wives should treat each other: “each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33) 

While our emotions are important, biblical love is rooted in a commitment to God and your spouse. When you receive the love of God, you are able to better love and honour your husband or wife as God instructs in the Bible. 

Extraordinary love

The Bible teaches about a love that is extraordinary. Before we can love as the Bible instructs, we must first accept the love of God. When we receive and begin to understand that perfect love, we can start to see others as God does and extend his love to them. Scripture provides a wealth of wisdom for understanding what love is, how to love others as God intended and building godly relationships. If you want to learn more about the work of BSA in sharing the love of God with people in need, please visit: https://www.biblesociety.org.au/our-work/  

NB. All quoted Scripture is in the New International Version (NIV).