The Bible's best-known description of love is 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: love is patient, kind, not proud, and "endureth all things." Its foundation is God's own love (John 3:16; 1 John 4:19), and Jesus' command is to love one another as He loved us (John 15:12-13).
Love is the thread that runs through the whole Bible, from God's love for the world to the command to love our neighbor. In the King James Version the Greek word agape is often translated "charity," which in 1611 meant self-giving love. Here are ten passages, grouped by theme.
What love looks like
1. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."
The famous "love chapter," often read at weddings. "Charity" is the KJV word for self-giving love; "suffereth long" means patient, and "vaunteth not itself" means it does not brag.
2. 1 Corinthians 16:14
"Let all your things be done with charity."
A short, practical rule for daily life: do everything in love.
3. Colossians 3:14
"And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness."
Paul lists virtues to "put on" like clothing, then names love as the belt that holds them all together.
God loved us first
4. 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 what He gave: His only Son, so that whoever believes may have everlasting life.
5. 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 yet sinners."
6. 1 John 4:19
"We love him, because he first loved us."
Our love is a response. We are able to love because God loved us first.
Love one another
7. 1 John 4:7-8
"Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."
John roots human love in God's nature: love comes from God, and the simple summary is "God is love."
8. John 15:12-13
"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
Jesus sets the standard for His followers: love as He loved. The highest expression is laying down one's life for friends.
9. 1 Peter 4:8
"And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins."
"Fervent" means intense and stretched-out. Deep love is willing to overlook and forgive many offenses.
10. Romans 13:10
"Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."
Love never harms a neighbor, which is why Paul calls it the fulfilling of the law.
A short prayer
Father, thank You for loving me first and for giving Your Son. Teach me to love the way 1 Corinthians 13 describes: patiently, kindly, without keeping score. Show me who needs Your love through me 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.
[Download our free SOAP study page | Get the 30-page SOAP Bible Study Journal]
Frequently asked questions
What is the most famous Bible verse about love?
John 3:16 ("For God so loved the world...") and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ("Charity suffereth long, and is kind...") are the best known.
Why does the KJV say "charity" instead of "love"?
The KJV translators used "charity" for the Greek agape in several places. In 1611 it meant selfless love, not only giving to the poor. Most modern translations, including the WEB, render it "love."
What Bible verse is good for a wedding?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Colossians 3:14, and Ecclesiastes 4:12 ("a threefold cord is not quickly broken") are popular choices.
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: Bible verses about God's love · Bible verses about relationships · Bible verses about friendship
Explore more: All Bible verses by topic · KJV Bible verses · Verse of the day · Prayers · Bible study · Bible reading plans
