The Bible has a lot to say about loving one another. At its core, loving one another means treating others with patience, kindness, acceptance, forgiveness, and selflessness. It is one of the primary virtues emphasized throughout Scripture.
Jesus himself declared that the two greatest commandments are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). He made it clear that loving God and loving others are foundational to the Christian faith.
So what are some of the key aspects of loving one another according to the Bible?
Being Patient and Kind
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 describes love this way: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
This well-known “love chapter” makes it clear that true biblical love involves patience and kindness no matter what the circumstances. It does not get irritated or angry quickly. It forgives readily. This kind of non-conditional love reflects God’s love for us.
Accepting Others Unconditionally
Romans 15:7 says, “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Jesus accepted people from all walks of life, even those scorned by society like tax collectors and prostitutes. He calls us to open our arms in the same way, not judging or rejecting people because they are different from us.
Showing unconditional love means welcoming others for who they are. We are called to look past surface differences to see each person as made in God’s image and worthy of love.
Bearing with One Another
Ephesians 4:2 instructs us to “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” At times loving others can be difficult and frustrating. People have different personalities and quirks that annoy us. But the Bible exhorts us to “bear with” one another – to remain kind and patient anyway.
By bearing with others, we reflect God’s patience toward us in our own flaws and failures. Our love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).
Encouraging Each Other
The Bible often mentions the importance of encouragement. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Words have power, and loving each other includes speaking life and hope.
Hebrews 10:24-25 also reminds us to spur each other on to acts of love and good works. Through gentle advice, compassionate correction when needed, and inspiring one another, we love each other well.
Praying for Each Other
Praying for others demonstrates love in action. We can intercede for both friends and enemies. James 5:16 states, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
When we bring each other’s needs before God, we express love in a profound way. We acknowledge our shared brokenness and dependence on God’s grace.
Showing Hospitality
“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling,” Peter exhorts (1 Peter 4:9). Hospitality encompasses opening not just our homes but also our lives to others. It may include sharing meals, providing lodging to those in need, spending time together.
Jesus always welcomed people into fellowship with him. He attended dinner parties and accepted dinner invitations from anyone wishing to know him better, even those scorned by religious leaders. We can follow his example of openness.
Submitting to One Another
Out of reverence for Christ, believers are called to “submit to one another” (Ephesians 5:21). This mutual submission means considering others’ needs before our own. It involves not insisting on getting our own way but humbly yielding to each other.
Jesus exemplified this servant-heartedness when he washed his disciples’ feet. He gave up status and comfort for the sake of those he loved. As we submit to others, we reflect Christ-like humility.
Forgiving Each Other
Because all of us struggle with sin, loving each other well means freely forgiving. Colossians 3:13 says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Again and again, the Bible pleads with believers to forgive as we have been forgiven. We are to extend grace to cover offenses, not harbor grudges or keep score. Forgiveness brings healing.
Carrying Each Other’s Burdens
“Carry each other’s burdens,” Galatians 6:2 reminds us, “and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Being willing to come alongside others in their pain and distress is a way we emulate Christ. We are called to bind up the brokenhearted and comfort the hurting.
Jesus was always moved by human suffering. He healed the sick and grieved with those who mourned. God uses his people to carry each other’s burdens today through practical help and empathetic listening.
Being Loyal and Devoted
Love also requires commitment. Romans 12:10 says, “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” This loyalty and sacrifice forge strong relationships, through good times and bad.
Jesus told his disciples, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12). His love never wavered despite rejection, betrayal, ridicule, and crucifixion. He calls us to unwavering love too.
Not Keeping Score
Keeping tally of offenses and favors given can poison relationships. That’s why 1 Corinthians 13:5 says that love “keeps no record of wrongs.” True love doesn’t harbor bitterness or silently stew over being wronged.
Jesus absorbed injury after injury from those he loved without retaliation. Stephen exemplified this by praying for those stoning him to death (Acts 7:60). A non-score-keeping heart reflects God’s gracious love.
Speaking the Truth in Love
Part of biblical love is offering counsel with the right motives. “Speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ,” Ephesians 4:15 states.
Jesus never compromised truth, yet he spoke with compassion. We too must prize both uncompromising truth and gracious delivery that builds others up. This fosters growth and maturity in the faith.
Being Selfless
Philippians 2:3-4 instructs, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Like Jesus, who gave up heavenly glory to serve as a suffering servant, we are called to selfless sacrifice. Considering others’ needs as more important than our own emulates Christ’s other-focused example. It is the epitome of love.
Serving One Another
Galatians 5:13 declares, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” Jesus modeled servanthood by washing the disciples’ feet and sacrificing himself on the cross for our salvation.
We can serve one another in big and small ways – preparing meals, giving rides, providing child care, visiting the sick, sending encouraging notes. These acts of service all demonstrate Christ-like love.
Being Generous
God’s Word instructs us to share with those in need. “If you have material possessions and see your brother or sister in need but have no pity on them, how can the love of God be in you?” 1 John 3:17 asks plainly. Giving generously shows Christ’s love.
We see Jesus’ care for the poor throughout his ministry. He multiplied food, healed the lame beggar, and poured expensive perfume on his feet. When we give freely of our time and resources, we reflect God’s generous heart.
Rejoicing and Mourning Together
“Rejoice with those who rejoice,” Romans 12:15 encourages, “mourn with those who mourn.” Entering into others’ experiences bonds us together. The early church shared meals, fellowship, and even property.
Jesus drew close to people in their moments of joy and sorrow. At Lazarus’ tomb, he wept with Mary and Martha. Later he attended a wedding celebration in Cana. We can stand with each other in both feasting and weeping.
Living in Harmony
The Bible frequently speaks of living in unity. Romans 15:5 expresses it this way: “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.”
Jesus prayed fervently for his disciples to be unified just as he and the Father are one (John 17:20-21). Honoring others above ourselves fosters peace and harmony. God calls us to be united through his Spirit.
Meeting Each Other’s Needs
The body of Christ is designed to meet individual members’ needs. “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it,” 1 Corinthians 12:26 notes. We are interconnected.
The early church ensured widows were fed and orphans cared for. They saw to basic needs so “there were no needy persons among them” (Acts 4:34). We can still help provide for each other today.
Being Equals in Christ
The New Testament calls believers “members together of one body” (Ephesians 3:6) and to “love your brothers and sisters” (1 Peter 2:17). Distinctions of gender, race, and class disappear, replaced by mutual love as equals in Christ.
Jesus broke cultural boundaries by interacting with women and Gentiles. He embraced outcasts and sinners as beloved children of God. When we love all our spiritual siblings in Christ, we reflect his inclusive heart.
Letting Love Motivate Us
“Let no debt remain outstanding,” Romans 13:8 states, “except the continuing debt to love one another.” All of the Bible’s commands about how we speak and act toward each other come back to love.
Jesus emphasized love as the focal point of all morality and spirituality. Without love, obeying God’s laws becomes empty ritual (1 Corinthians 13:3). As Christians, God calls us to let love spur everything we do.
Conclusion
This overview shows just some of the many ways Scripture describes godly love. Loving others requires great patience, kindness, forgiveness, and sacrifice. It means considering others’ needs as important as our own and binding up each other’s wounds. But we love because Christ first loved us in all these ways and more.
Jesus perfectly lived out elevating others before himself. His Spirit enables us to walk in that same love. As we grow in loving one another, we increasingly reflect God’s heart to the world around us.