The Bible's clearest picture of God's love is the cross: "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son" (John 3:16), and Christ died for us "while we were yet sinners" (Romans 5:8). Nothing can separate us from that love (Romans 8:38-39), because "God is love" (1 John 4:16).
God's love is not a vague feeling. Scripture shows it in what He gave and the promise that nothing can separate His people from Him. These King James passages focus on God's love for us.
God gave His Son
1. 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."
Perhaps the most quoted verse in the Bible. God's love is measured by the gift of His only Son so that whoever believes may have everlasting life.
2. Romans 5:8
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
God's love was not a reward for good behavior. Christ died for us while we were still sinners.
3. 1 John 4:9-10
"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
Love is defined by God's action: He sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. We love because He loved first.
4. 1 John 3:1
"Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not."
John invites wonder: "Behold, what manner of love" that we should be called God's children.
Nothing can separate us
5. Romans 8:38-39
"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Paul lists death, life, angels, powers, height, and depth—none can separate us from God's love in Christ.
6. Ephesians 2:4-5
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)"
God is "rich in mercy" and loved us even when we were dead in sins. Salvation starts with His love, not our effort.
7. Ephesians 3:17-19
"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God."
Paul prays believers would grasp the breadth, length, depth, and height of Christ's love, which "passeth knowledge."
8. John 15:9
"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love."
Jesus tells His disciples they are loved as the Father loves the Son, and calls them to abide in that love.
God is love
9. 1 John 4:16
"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."
"God is love" is not only a slogan; John ties it to dwelling in God and God in us.
10. Jeremiah 31:3
"The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."
God tells His people He has loved them with an everlasting love and drawn them with lovingkindness.
11. Zephaniah 3:17
"The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing."
The LORD in the midst of His people rejoices over them with joy and resteth in His love: a picture of delight, not mere duty.
12. Psalms 136:26
"O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever."
A short call to thank the God of heaven, because His mercy (steadfast love) endures forever.
A short prayer
Father, thank You for loving me first and for giving Your Son. Help me rest in a love that nothing can separate me from, and let that love shape how I treat others today. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best Bible verse about God's love?
John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Romans 8:38-39, and 1 John 4:9-10 are the most widely shared.
Where does the Bible say "God is love"?
1 John 4:8 and 1 John 4:16.
What Bible verse says nothing can separate us from God's love?
Romans 8:38-39.
How did God show His love for us?
Romans 5:8 and 1 John 4:9-10 point to the cross: God sent His Son, and Christ died for us while we were still sinners.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: love Bible verses · Bible verses about forgiveness · Bible verses about faith · Bible verses about joy · Bible verses about peace
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