Loyalty is an important virtue emphasized throughout the Bible. Here are some key Bible verses about being loyal:
Old Testament Verses on Loyalty
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17 ESV)
This proverb emphasizes the loyalty of true friendship that endures through good and bad times.
“Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.” (Proverbs 27:10 ESV)
This proverb values loyalty to close friends over even distant family members.
“But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16 ESV)
Ruth’s vow to her mother-in-law Naomi exemplifies remarkable loyalty, as she left her homeland to support Naomi.
“And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” (2 Samuel 9:7 ESV)
Despite Saul’s hostility toward him, David honored his loyal friendship with Jonathan by showing kindness to Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth.
“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!” (Psalm 31:14-15 ESV)
David expresses his steadfast loyalty and trust in God, despite going through hard times and opposition.
New Testament Verses on Loyalty
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35 ESV)
Jesus calls his followers to demonstrate loyalty and love for one another just as he has loved them.
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13 ESV)
Jesus describes the greatest loyalty being willing to sacrifice one’s life for friends.
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:9-10 ESV)
Paul exhorts Christians to be sincerely devoted to one another in brotherly love and honor.
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another.” (Romans 12:15-16 ESV)
An aspect of loyalty is sharing in others’ joys and sorrows rather than being indifferent.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2 ESV)
Out of love and loyalty, Christians are called to help carry each other’s burdens.
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29 ESV)
Words have power, and loyal friends build each other up rather than tear each other down.
Biblical Examples of Loyalty
Along with verses that discuss loyalty, the Bible contains many narrative examples that demonstrate what loyalty looks like in practice:
Ruth and Naomi – As mentioned above, Ruth gave up her homeland and people to stand by her mother-in-law Naomi in her time of grief. She told Naomi “Where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16).
Jonathan and David – Jonathan and David formed a strong bond of loyalty despite Jonathan being the son of King Saul and David being Saul’s rival. Jonathan helped protect David multiple times when Saul sought to kill him. Jonathan and David made a covenant of lifelong loyalty (1 Samuel 18:3).
Daniel and Friends – Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego demonstrated loyalty to God over the Babylonian King. They refused to bow to idols or speak against God, even when threatened with the fiery furnace and lions’ den (Daniel 3 & 6).
Rahab and the Spies – Rahab the prostitute showed loyalty to the Israelite spies who came to scout out Jericho, hiding and helping them escape at personal risk (Joshua 2).
Job and His Friends – Although Job’s friends later wrongly accused him, at first “they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great” (Job 2:13). Their presence showed loyalty in his pain.
Paul and Timothy – The apostle Paul mentored Timothy and developed a deep bond of loyalty, calling Timothy his “true child in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2) and “my beloved and faithful child in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:17).
Jesus and His Disciples – Jesus demonstrated selfless, servant-hearted loyalty in serving and laying down his life for his disciples and all of humankind. He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
Principles for Developing Godly Loyalty
Certain biblical principles emerge that can help cultivate loyalty as a virtue:
- Loyalty requires sacrifice and putting others first (Philippians 2:3-4).
- Loyalty endures through adversity and remains constant (Proverbs 17:17).
- Loyalty involves sharing in others’ joys and sorrows (Romans 12:15).
- Loyalty builds others up and brings encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
- Godly loyalty recognizes God’s sovereignty in all things (Psalm 31:14-15).
- The greatest loyalty emulates Christ’s self-giving love (Ephesians 5:1-2).
The Bible gives us many portraits of loyalty lived out imperfectly yet beautifully. Ultimately, God himself epitomizes perfect loyalty and faithfulness toward His people. His unwavering love anchors the loyalty we show others.
Loyalty comes most into focus in relationships of mutual sacrifice and service after the pattern of Jesus Christ. The body of Christ is designed to be a community where members “love one another with brotherly affection” and “outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10). Our human loyalties find their deepest meaning and fulfillment when directed toward the praise and glory of our eternally loyal God.
Loyalty is an important virtue emphasized throughout the Bible. Here are some key Bible verses about being loyal:
Old Testament Verses on Loyalty
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17 ESV)
This proverb emphasizes the loyalty of true friendship that endures through good and bad times.
“Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.” (Proverbs 27:10 ESV)
This proverb values loyalty to close friends over even distant family members.
“But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16 ESV)
Ruth’s vow to her mother-in-law Naomi exemplifies remarkable loyalty, as she left her homeland to support Naomi.
“And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” (2 Samuel 9:7 ESV)
Despite Saul’s hostility toward him, David honored his loyal friendship with Jonathan by showing kindness to Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth.
“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!” (Psalm 31:14-15 ESV)
David expresses his steadfast loyalty and trust in God, despite going through hard times and opposition.
New Testament Verses on Loyalty
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35 ESV)
Jesus calls his followers to demonstrate loyalty and love for one another just as he has loved them.
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13 ESV)
Jesus describes the greatest loyalty being willing to sacrifice one’s life for friends.
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:9-10 ESV)
Paul exhorts Christians to be sincerely devoted to one another in brotherly love and honor.
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another.” (Romans 12:15-16 ESV)
An aspect of loyalty is sharing in others’ joys and sorrows rather than being indifferent.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2 ESV)
Out of love and loyalty, Christians are called to help carry each other’s burdens.
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29 ESV)
Words have power, and loyal friends build each other up rather than tear each other down.
Biblical Examples of Loyalty
Along with verses that discuss loyalty, the Bible contains many narrative examples that demonstrate what loyalty looks like in practice:
Ruth and Naomi – As mentioned above, Ruth gave up her homeland and people to stand by her mother-in-law Naomi in her time of grief. She told Naomi “Where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16).
Jonathan and David – Jonathan and David formed a strong bond of loyalty despite Jonathan being the son of King Saul and David being Saul’s rival. Jonathan helped protect David multiple times when Saul sought to kill him. Jonathan and David made a covenant of lifelong loyalty (1 Samuel 18:3).
Daniel and Friends – Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego demonstrated loyalty to God over the Babylonian King. They refused to bow to idols or speak against God, even when threatened with the fiery furnace and lions’ den (Daniel 3 & 6).
Rahab and the Spies – Rahab the prostitute showed loyalty to the Israelite spies who came to scout out Jericho, hiding and helping them escape at personal risk (Joshua 2).
Job and His Friends – Although Job’s friends later wrongly accused him, at first “they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great” (Job 2:13). Their presence showed loyalty in his pain.
Paul and Timothy – The apostle Paul mentored Timothy and developed a deep bond of loyalty, calling Timothy his “true child in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2) and “my beloved and faithful child in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 4:17).
Jesus and His Disciples – Jesus demonstrated selfless, servant-hearted loyalty in serving and laying down his life for his disciples and all of humankind. He said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
Principles for Developing Godly Loyalty
Certain biblical principles emerge that can help cultivate loyalty as a virtue:
- Loyalty requires sacrifice and putting others first (Philippians 2:3-4).
- Loyalty endures through adversity and remains constant (Proverbs 17:17).
- Loyalty involves sharing in others’ joys and sorrows (Romans 12:15).
- Loyalty builds others up and brings encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
- Godly loyalty recognizes God’s sovereignty in all things (Psalm 31:14-15).
- The greatest loyalty emulates Christ’s self-giving love (Ephesians 5:1-2).
The Bible gives us many portraits of loyalty lived out imperfectly yet beautifully. Ultimately, God himself epitomizes perfect loyalty and faithfulness toward His people. His unwavering love anchors the loyalty we show others.
Loyalty comes most into focus in relationships of mutual sacrifice and service after the pattern of Jesus Christ. The body of Christ is designed to be a community where members “love one another with brotherly affection” and “outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10). Our human loyalties find their deepest meaning and fulfillment when directed toward the praise and glory of our eternally loyal God.