The Bible has a lot to say about how we should treat our neighbors. Here is an overview of some of the key Bible verses about neighbors:
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39, Mark 12:31, Luke 10:27, Romans 13:9, Galatians 5:14, James 2:8)
This commandment, which Jesus called the second greatest commandment after loving God, teaches that we should have the same regard for our neighbors as we have for ourselves. We are called to look out for their interests and needs with the same care and concern that we have for our own interests and needs.
Who is My Neighbor?
“But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”’ (Luke 10:29-37)
When asked “who is my neighbor?”, Jesus responded with the parable of the good Samaritan, teaching that our neighbors are not just those of our own people or background. Our neighbors are those around us in need, including strangers and even enemies. We are called to show mercy and compassion to all.
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)
“Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.” (1 Corinthians 10:24)
These verses teach us not to be selfish or self-seeking, but to be thoughtful of our neighbor’s needs and seek their good.
Do Not Covet Your Neighbor’s Possessions
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:17)
“‘You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. And you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.’ (Deuteronomy 5:21)
We are commanded not to covet or desire the possessions, relationships or status of our neighbors. Instead we should be content with what God has given us.
Welcome and Care for Strangers
“You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:34)
God commands us to treat strangers and foreigners living among us with love and respect, remembering that we too were once strangers.
Do Good to Your Neighbor
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10)
We should seek opportunities to help and bless those around us through acts of kindness, generosity and service.
Reconcile with Your Neighbor
“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24)
If we have wronged or offended a neighbor, we should seek to make peace and reconcile the relationship before continuing in worship of God.
Pray for Your Neighbor
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
We are called to pray for the well-being of those around us, even those who mistreat us.
Warn Your Neighbor of Sin’s Danger
“My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” (James 5:19-20)
If we see a neighbor acting sinfully or straying from God’s truth, we should gently warn and guide them back to righteousness.
Do Not Bear False Witness Against Your Neighbor
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16)
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who pours out lies will perish.” (Proverbs 19:9)
We must be honest and truthful in how we represent our neighbors, not deceiving or spreading false rumors.
Do Not Take Revenge on Your Neighbor
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'” (Romans 12:19)
“Do not say, ‘I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.'” (Proverbs 24:29)
When our neighbor wrongs us, we should not retaliate or try to get even. Justice should be left to God.
Be Humble Toward Your Neighbor
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4)
“Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'” (1 Peter 5:5)
We are called to have humility and consider others as more important than ourselves. Arrogance and pride damage relationships.
Do Not Judge Your Neighbor
“Judge not, that you be not judged.” (Matthew 7:1)
“There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?” (James 4:12)
Rather than judging our neighbors, we are called to show grace and extend mercy, leaving final judgment up to God.
Love Covers Over Sins Against You
“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” (Proverbs 17:9)
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)
When others wrong us, a loving response can overlook minor offenses and preserve the relationship.
Settle Matters Quickly with Your Neighbor
“Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.” (Matthew 5:25)
Jesus taught that we should seek to resolve disputes with others promptly before conflicts spiral out of control.
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” (Romans 13:8)
Loving our neighbor summarizes all God’s commands regarding others. Love does no harm to a neighbor.
Be Devoted to One Another in Love
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (Romans 12:10)
“Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.” (1 Thessalonians 4:9)
Christian love demands that we treat fellow believers as cherished family and honor them abundantly.
Carry Each Other’s Burdens
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
We are called to come alongside our neighbors in times of need and help carry their burdens.
Share with Your Neighbor in Need
“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” (1 John 3:17)
When we have resources and a neighbor lacks basic necessities, we should share generously.
Employer/Employee Relationships
“Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.” (Colossians 4:1)
“Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.” (Colossians 3:22)
Those in authority should treat subordinates justly, and employees should obey and work with sincerity as serving the Lord.
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
“Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)
Love should be the motivation for all our actions toward others, enabling us to live in harmony.
Be Forgiving Toward Your Neighbor
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
Because Christ has forgiven us, we should freely forgive the offenses of our neighbor.
Do Not Gossip About Your Neighbor
“You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:16)
“Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.” (Proverbs 11:13)
Spreading gossip and slander about others is forbidden. We should keep personal matters confidential.
Speak the Truth in Love to Your Neighbor
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15)
When we need to confront a neighbor regarding sin or error, we should do so graciously and thoughtfully.
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)
We know how to love our neighbor by putting ourselves in their place and treating them how we would want to be treated.
Be Patient and Forgiving Toward Your Neighbor
“With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2)
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32)
Because God is patient and forgiving toward us, we must show patience and extend forgiveness to others.
Do Not Repay Evil with Evil
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.” (Romans 12:17)
“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless.” (1 Peter 3:9)
Even when neighbors mistreat us, we should respond with blessing and seek the honorable path.
Live at Peace with Your Neighbor as Much as Possible
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:18)
“Strive for peace with everyone.” (Hebrews 12:14)
We are responsible before God to actively pursue peace and reconciliation with others.
In summary, the Bible gives clear principles for how we are to live in relationship with our neighbors. We are to love them as ourselves, care for their needs, treat them justly, live at peace, speak truthfully, forgive offenses, and trust God’s justice over personal vengeance. Living out these biblical commands in our neighborhoods brings glory to God.