The Bible is filled with topical verses that can inspire and uplift us. Among the most prevalent topics tackled among the scriptures is love, with a focus on the importance of loving God and loving others. Here are 20 short Bible verses about love — each with some commentary to help you understand why each scripture matters:
“Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” - Proverbs 10:12 (KJV)
Love can get complicated and relationships can fall apart, but this short Bible verse about love reminds us that love is essential; hatred offers us no benefits.
“Let all your things be done with charity.” - 1 Corinthians 16:14 (KJV)
Love and charity matter. This is one of the short Bible verses about love that reminds us to do everything with love. This can sometimes be a challenge, but it’s something we are called to.
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“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” -2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
It’s easy to fall into the trap of allowing fear to overtake us. This inspiring Bible verses reminds us that God has given us a spirit of love and a sound mind — a comfort we can rely in in the midst of storms.
“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” - Romans 13:10 (KJV)
Among short Bible verses about love, this one reminds us to love our neighbors and those around us. It’s an important reminder, as Bible verses about love don’t simply command us to love our friends and significant others; they also urge us to love and care for those around us.
“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. - 1 Peter 4:8 (KJV)
This verse once again covers the importance of love and “charity” among and between people.
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” - 1 John 4:8 (KJV)
One of the most profound messages in the Bible is carried in this short Bible verse about love. “God is love” reminds us of the fact that the Lord encompasses love in every, single way. He is our guide and compass, and His ways are true.
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” - 1 John 4:11(KJV)
This short Bible verse is one of the scriptures in 1 John that tell us that God’s love for us is a guide to follow, as we are commanded to love others just the same. We are essentially called to duplicate the love God has given to us in our interactions with others.
“We love him, because he first loved us.” - 1 John 4:19 (KJV)
Again, God’s love for humanity is a guide for how people should interact with one another.
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“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.” - Matthew 5:44 (KJV)
People are also called to love our enemies. It’s easy to love friends and family — but having love for those who have hurt us can be far more difficult. Still, some of the short Bible verses about love remind us of Jesus’ command to “love your enemies.”
“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” - Mark 12:30 (KJV)
Jesus makes it clear that there are two essential commandments: love God and love others. Among the short Bible verses about love, Mark 12:30 drives home the importance of this first commandment, calling for people to love God with their all.
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” - Romans 12:10 (KJV)
We are called to treat one another with “brotherly love.” This scripture is important to reflect on and to consider where we each stand in our own lives and walks with God. Stop and ponder: Am I treating those around me with brotherly love?
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” - John 15:12 (KJV)
Once again, we are reminded to love others the way Christ has loved us. This is one of the many short Bible verses about love that drive home this essential point.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” - John 15:13 (KJV)
Jesus’ sacrifice is the ultimate act of love. It’s no coincidence that Christ makes His appeal for people to love one another as he has loved them before noting his proclamation about “greater love.” This is yet another one of the short Bible verses about love that deserves a great deal of attention and reflection.
“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” - Romans 12:9 (KJV)
When it comes to following God and living in love, it’s also essential to avoid evil and to “cleave to that which is good.” Life can throw a lot at us, but having discernment is key.
“He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.” - Proverbs 21:21 (KJV)
It is important to live in love righteousness, as the Bible tells us that this is what will fulfill our lives and bring us honor.
“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” - 1 Corinthians 13:13 (KJV)
Love and “charity” are essential, with love being called out as the most important element through which to live our lives. Many short Bible verses about love tackle this reality, though 1 Corinthians 13:13 perhaps makes it the most clear.
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“It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth.” - Song of Solomon 3:4 (KJV)
It is possible to love others with our entire being — including our “soul,” as this short Bible verse about love proclaims.
“A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” - Proverbs 17:17 (KJV)
The Bible speaks to the importance of friendship as well, proclaiming that a friend is there for others at all times and that friends can help us through difficult moments. This is one of the short Bible verses about love that causes us to reflect on the importance of friendship in our lives.
“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” - Colossians 3:14 (KJV)
Love should always be the goal. This verse affirms the importance of always living through the lens of love.
“Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.” - Jude 2 (KJV)
And finally: this is one of the short Bible verses about love that showers hope upon us for both peace and love, showing the importance of these elements in our lives. As we pray for others, let us also ask God to bestow these things upon them.
That wraps our list of short Bible verses about love. The Bible is filled with encouraging scriptures that remind us of the importance of caring for God, friends, family, significant others — and even our enemies. Christians are called to live in love. We hope this list helps you in your own journey with God.
