Key Takeaways
God IS love - love is not just something God does, it's who He fundamentally is at His core (1 John 4:8)
God demonstrated His love by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8)
We love because He first loved us - our ability to love comes from receiving God's love (1 John 4:19)
Love is the greatest commandment - loving God and loving neighbor sums up all the Law and Prophets (Matthew 22:37-40)
Love is patient, kind, and keeps no record of wrongs - biblical love is defined by action, not just feeling (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Love for one another is the mark of true disciples - it's how the world knows we belong to Christ (John 13:35)
Why Study Love Through Scripture
Understanding love biblically transforms every relationship and brings deep fulfillment. Explore our comprehensive features designed to help you experience and express God's love.
Understanding God's Love
Study the biblical foundation of God's unconditional love for humanity and what it means that "God is love" according to Scripture.
Agape Love Explained
Discover the Greek concept of agape - selfless, sacrificial love - and how it differs from other types of love mentioned in the Bible.
Loving Your Neighbor
Learn practical biblical principles for loving others as yourself, even those who are difficult to love.
Love in Relationships
Explore what Scripture teaches about romantic love, marriage, friendship, and family relationships rooted in Christ's love.
Love and Forgiveness
Understand the inseparable connection between love and forgiveness in the Christian life.
Living a Love-Filled Life
Discover how to walk in love daily, letting Christ's love transform every area of your life and relationships.
Love Study in Action
See how believers are being transformed by studying God's love through Scripture
Personal Love Study
Individuals discovering the depths of God's love through daily Scripture meditation.
Love in Marriage
Couples strengthening their relationship through biblical study on love.
Community Love
Small groups learning to love one another through shared Bible study.
Love in Service
Believers putting God's love into action by serving those in need.
Family Love
Families growing in love through studying Scripture together.
Love and Forgiveness
Believers experiencing reconciliation through applying biblical love.
Love Study Topics
Comprehensive biblical studies covering every aspect of love. Pair with our forgiveness Bible study to understand how love and forgiveness work together.
Understanding God's Love
What Scripture teaches about the nature of God's love for us
- 1 John 4:8 - God Is Love Explained
- John 3:16 - The Greatest Love Ever Shown
- Romans 5:8 - Love Demonstrated While We Were Sinners
- Jeremiah 31:3 - Everlasting Love
- Romans 8:38-39 - Nothing Can Separate Us from God's Love
- Ephesians 3:17-19 - Knowing the Love That Surpasses Knowledge
Types of Love in Scripture
Understanding the different expressions of love in the Bible
- Agape - Unconditional, Sacrificial Love
- Phileo - Brotherly Love and Friendship
- Storge - Family Affection and Natural Love
- Eros - Romantic Love in Marriage
- The Fruit of the Spirit - Love as First Fruit
- Love as the Greatest Commandment
Love in Action
Practical expressions of biblical love
- 1 Corinthians 13 - The Love Chapter Verse by Verse
- John 13:34-35 - The New Commandment to Love
- Matthew 5:44 - Loving Your Enemies
- Romans 12:9-21 - Sincere Love Without Hypocrisy
- 1 John 3:18 - Love in Deed and Truth
- Galatians 5:13 - Serving One Another in Love
Growing in Love
How to increase in love for God and others
- Receiving God's Love First - 1 John 4:19
- Abiding in Christ's Love - John 15:9-10
- Love and Obedience Connection - John 14:15
- Praying for More Love - Philippians 1:9
- Community That Cultivates Love - Hebrews 10:24
- Overcoming Obstacles to Love
What Our Community Says
Real testimonials from believers transformed by studying love in Scripture
"Bible Way's love study transformed how I see myself and others. Understanding God's unconditional love freed me from seeking approval from people. Now I can truly love others because I know I'm loved first by God."
"After 15 years of marriage, we thought we knew about love. This study opened our eyes to agape love - the selfless, sacrificial kind. It completely renewed our relationship and how we treat each other daily."
"I've taught on love many times, but this study resource goes deeper than most. The way it connects God's love to our ability to love others is life-changing. Our congregation has been transformed."
Love Study Resources
Everything you need to understand and grow in biblical love. Access alongside our online Bible study platform.
1 Corinthians 13 Deep Dive
Verse-by-verse study of the famous "Love Chapter" with application questions and reflection prompts.
Love Scriptures Collection
Comprehensive collection of Bible verses about love organized by theme for study and memorization.
Love in Action Journal
Guided journal prompts to practice loving others daily and track spiritual growth in this area.
Loving Difficult People Guide
Biblical strategies for extending love to those who are hard to love, including enemies.
Love Declaration Cards
Printable Scripture cards with love-focused verses for daily meditation and declaration.
Love Languages & Scripture
Connecting the five love languages concept with biblical principles for expressing love.
Understanding Biblical Love
The Bible study on love reveals that biblical love is far more than a warm feeling or romantic emotion. Scripture declares that "God is love" (1 John 4:8) - love is not just something God does, it's His very essence. This divine love, called agape in Greek, is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. It's demonstrated supremely at the cross where "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Understanding God's love transforms everything - how we see ourselves, how we relate to others, and how we live each day.
Jesus taught that loving God and loving neighbor are the greatest commandments, summing up all the Law and Prophets (Matthew 22:37-40). He raised the bar even higher, commanding His followers to "love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34) - a selfless, sacrificial love willing to lay down one's life for others. This love is the defining mark of true disciples: "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). A Bible study on love equips you to receive God's love more fully, love others more genuinely, and experience the faith and prayer that flow from a love-transformed heart.
Love Study Benefits:
Start Your Love Study Journey
Whether you're seeking to know God's love or wanting to love others better, join thousands being transformed. Perfect for couples, families, and individuals.
What You'll Learn
- The true nature of God's unconditional love
- How to receive and rest in God's love for you
- Practical ways to love others as Christ loves
- How love transforms marriages and families
"I grew up in a home without much love. I never felt lovable. Bible Way's study on God's love changed everything. For the first time, I understood that God loves me unconditionally - not because of what I do, but because of who He is. That truth has healed wounds I carried for decades."
Jennifer L.
Counselor, Atlanta
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about love according to Scripture
What does the Bible mean when it says "God is love"?
When 1 John 4:8 declares "God is love," it's making a profound statement about God's essential nature. Love isn't just something God does - it's who He fundamentally is. This doesn't mean love is God (that would make love the supreme being), but that love is so central to God's character that you cannot separate the two. Everything God does flows from His loving nature. He created out of love, He sustains out of love, He redeems out of love, and He disciplines out of love. This truth has practical implications: when you experience genuine love - whether giving or receiving - you're experiencing something of God's nature. It also means we can trust God completely because His motives are always loving, even when His actions are difficult to understand. As 1 John 4:16 continues, "God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." Understanding that God IS love transforms our relationship with Him from duty to delight.
What is agape love and how is it different from other types of love?
The Greek language used several words for love, each with distinct meanings. Agape is the highest form - it's unconditional, sacrificial love that seeks the good of others regardless of their response or worthiness. It's the love God has for us and the love Christians are called to have for others. Unlike eros (romantic/passionate love) which is based on attraction, or phileo (friendship love) which is based on mutual affection, agape is based on a decision of the will. You can choose to agape someone even if you don't feel phileo toward them. This is why Jesus can command us to love our enemies - He's commanding agape, not feelings we cannot control. Agape is demonstrated supremely at the cross: "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). It's patient when wronged, kind when mistreated, and persistent when rejected. Storge (family affection) is natural; agape is supernatural - it requires God's enabling. When Paul describes love in 1 Corinthians 13, he's describing agape: patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, keeps no record of wrongs.
How can I love someone who has hurt me deeply?
Loving those who hurt us is perhaps the hardest command in Scripture, yet Jesus calls us to exactly this: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). The key is understanding that biblical love (agape) is primarily an action of the will, not a feeling. You can choose to act lovingly toward someone even while processing painful emotions. First, receive God's love afresh - you cannot give what you haven't received. "We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Second, remember how much God has forgiven you. Jesus told a parable about a servant forgiven an enormous debt who then refused to forgive a small debt; the master's response was severe (Matthew 18:21-35). Third, pray for the person - it's hard to hate someone you're genuinely praying for. Fourth, release the desire for revenge to God: "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord" (Romans 12:19). Fifth, choose to do good: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him" (Romans 12:20). This doesn't mean becoming a doormat or enabling abuse - biblical love includes healthy boundaries. But it does mean releasing bitterness and choosing blessing over cursing.
What does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength?
When Jesus identified the greatest commandment as loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30), He was describing total, comprehensive love. "Heart" in Hebrew thought represents the center of one's being - the will, emotions, and desires. Loving God with your heart means your deepest affections, motivations, and choices are oriented toward Him. "Soul" refers to your life essence - your very identity and existence devoted to God. "Mind" involves your intellect - loving God through learning His Word, thinking His thoughts, and using your mental faculties for His glory. "Strength" encompasses your physical energy, resources, and effort devoted to His purposes. Together, these terms mean nothing is held back - every dimension of your being is surrendered to loving God. This isn't achieved through striving but through relationship. As we know God more through His Word and experience His love, our love for Him naturally deepens. It's a lifelong journey of growing love, not a destination of perfect love. The fact that it's commanded shows it involves our will; the comprehensiveness shows it should encompass all of life.
How do love and obedience relate to each other?
Jesus made the connection explicit: "If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15) and "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me" (John 14:21). Love and obedience are inseparably linked in biblical teaching. This isn't legalism - obedience isn't how we earn God's love, but how we express our love for Him. Think of a marriage: a husband who says "I love you" but consistently ignores his wife's wishes demonstrates that his words are empty. True love shows itself in action. Similarly, claiming to love God while habitually disobeying Him is self-deception. 1 John 5:3 clarifies: "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome." When we truly love God, His commands don't feel like restrictions but like the loving boundaries of a Father who knows what's best for us. Our obedience flows from love, not fear. At the same time, obeying even when we don't feel loving is itself an act of love - choosing to honor God with our actions even when emotions lag behind. Love motivates obedience, and obedience deepens love.
What does it practically look like to "love your neighbor as yourself"?
Jesus identified "love your neighbor as yourself" as the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:39), and when asked "Who is my neighbor?", He told the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). This story reveals that our "neighbor" is anyone in need we encounter, regardless of their background, beliefs, or whether they would help us in return. Loving your neighbor as yourself means considering their needs as important as your own. It means asking, "What would I want if I were in their situation?" and acting accordingly. Practically, this looks like: noticing people (the priest and Levite passed by), being moved with compassion (the Samaritan had compassion), taking action (he bandaged wounds, provided transportation), investing resources (he paid for lodging and care), and following through (he promised to return). Romans 13:8-10 explains that love fulfills the law - if you love your neighbor, you won't steal from them, lie to them, or harm them. Instead, you'll seek their good. This applies to family, friends, coworkers, strangers, and even those we find difficult. Love isn't selective about who deserves it.
How does 1 Corinthians 13 define love?
First Corinthians 13, often called "The Love Chapter," provides the most detailed definition of love in Scripture. Paul writes that love is: patient (endures wrongs without retaliation), kind (actively does good to others), not envious (rejoices in others' blessings), not boastful (doesn't need to impress), not proud (doesn't consider itself superior), not rude (treats others with respect), not self-seeking (puts others' interests first), not easily angered (slow to take offense), keeps no record of wrongs (forgives and doesn't hold grudges), doesn't delight in evil (grieves over sin), rejoices with truth (celebrates what's right), always protects (shields others from harm), always trusts (gives benefit of the doubt), always hopes (maintains optimism for others), always perseveres (never gives up on people). Notably, this list is entirely about actions and attitudes, not feelings. Love is something you do and choose, not just something you feel. Paul also emphasizes love's supremacy - without it, even the most impressive spiritual gifts are worthless (vv. 1-3), and it will outlast everything else (vv. 8-13). This passage serves as both a definition to understand and a standard to pursue.
What does the Bible say about romantic love and marriage?
Scripture celebrates romantic love as a gift from God. The Song of Solomon is an entire book devoted to the beauty of romantic love between husband and wife, with passionate expressions that some find surprising in Scripture. Proverbs 5:18-19 encourages husbands to "rejoice in the wife of your youth... let her breasts fill you at all times with delight; be intoxicated always in her love." This affirms that physical attraction and romantic passion within marriage are good and God-honoring. However, Scripture also reveals that romantic love in marriage must be built on the foundation of agape love. Ephesians 5:25 commands husbands to "love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" - this is sacrificial, selfless agape. Romantic feelings ebb and flow, but agape love provides the commitment that sustains marriage through difficulties. The husband-wife relationship is meant to reflect Christ's relationship with the church - faithful, nurturing, sacrificial. Healthy Christian marriage combines romantic passion, deep friendship (phileo), and committed agape love. When romantic feelings dim, agape commitment keeps the marriage going until feelings return.
How can I grow in my capacity to love others?
Growing in love is a lifelong process enabled by God's Spirit. First, regularly meditate on God's love for you. You cannot give what you haven't received, and 1 John 4:19 reminds us we love because He first loved us. Spend time in passages like Romans 8:38-39, Ephesians 3:17-19, and 1 John 4:7-21. Second, pray specifically for more love. Paul prayed for the Philippians that their "love may abound more and more" (Philippians 1:9). Ask God to fill you with His love and help you love others as He does. Third, practice love in small, daily ways. Love grows through exercise. Look for opportunities to show patience, kindness, and selflessness. Fourth, stay connected to Christ. Jesus said, "Abide in my love" (John 15:9) - love flows from intimate relationship with Him. Fifth, engage in community. Hebrews 10:24 encourages believers to "stir up one another to love and good works." Being around loving people cultivates love in us. Sixth, memorize 1 Corinthians 13 and use it as a daily examination. Ask, "Was I patient today? Kind? Did I keep a record of wrongs?" Seventh, remember that love is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) - it develops as we walk in the Spirit and yield to His work in us.
Why is love considered the greatest virtue?
Scripture elevates love above all other virtues for several reasons. Paul concludes his famous love chapter by declaring, "So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13). Love is greatest because: First, it reflects God's nature most directly - "God is love" (1 John 4:8). When we love, we're most like Him. Second, love fulfills all the law. Romans 13:10 states, "Love is the fulfilling of the law." If you genuinely love others, you won't need separate commands not to steal, lie, or murder. Third, love is the identifying mark of Christ's followers. "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). Fourth, love gives meaning to everything else. Paul argues that without love, even the most impressive spiritual gifts and sacrifices are worthless (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). Fifth, love is eternal. Faith will become sight, hope will be fulfilled, but love will continue forever in heaven. Sixth, love is the essence of the two greatest commandments - loving God and loving neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). Everything else hangs on these. Love isn't one virtue among many - it's the supreme virtue that encompasses and empowers all others.
How do I know if I'm truly experiencing God's love?
God's love is both objective truth and subjective experience, and Scripture addresses both. Objectively, you can know God loves you because His Word declares it repeatedly and His actions prove it. Romans 5:8 declares, "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This is fact regardless of how you feel. The cross is the permanent, undeniable proof of God's love. However, Scripture also speaks of experiencing God's love personally. Romans 5:5 says "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit." Ephesians 3:17-19 speaks of being "rooted and grounded in love" and knowing "the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge." Signs you're experiencing God's love include: a growing sense of security and acceptance before Him, decreasing anxiety about your standing with God, increasing capacity to love others, freedom from shame even while acknowledging sin, and a desire to spend time with God in His Word and prayer. If you struggle to feel God's love, don't doubt the truth - instead, pray as Paul did that you would have power to "comprehend... and to know" this love (Ephesians 3:18-19). Meditate on love scriptures, reject lies of unworthiness, and give it time. Feelings often follow faith.
What is the connection between love and forgiveness?
Love and forgiveness are inseparably connected in Scripture. 1 Corinthians 13:5 says love "keeps no record of wrongs" - meaning love and unforgiveness cannot coexist. Jesus taught that receiving God's forgiveness obligates us to forgive others (Matthew 6:14-15, 18:21-35). If we've been forgiven an infinite debt of sin by a loving God, how can we refuse to forgive the comparatively small offenses of others? Colossians 3:13 commands: "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." Note the motivation - we forgive as the Lord forgave us. The love chapter's description of love "keeping no record of wrongs" doesn't mean pretending wrongs didn't happen, but choosing not to hold them against the person or use them as weapons later. Peter's question about how many times to forgive (Matthew 18:21) reveals our natural inclination to keep count, but Jesus' answer of "seventy times seven" means unlimited forgiveness. Forgiveness doesn't mean trust is automatically restored or consequences are removed, but it means releasing the offense and the offender to God, freeing yourself from bitterness. Love initiates forgiveness; forgiveness enables love to continue.
Trusted Love Resources
Additional external resources to deepen your study of biblical love
BibleGateway Love Topics
Comprehensive collection of love verses across Bible translations
biblegateway.com →Got Questions on Love
Biblical answers to common questions about love and relationships
gotquestions.org →Gospel Coalition Resources
Articles and teaching on biblical love from evangelical scholars
thegospelcoalition.org →Christianity Today Love
Contemporary articles on love, relationships, and Christian living
christianitytoday.com →Experience God's Love and Share It with Others
Love is the heart of the gospel, the mark of Christ's disciples, and the greatest gift you can give or receive. A Bible study on love equips you with biblical understanding to experience God's unconditional love more deeply, practical tools to love others as Christ loves you, and encouragement to keep loving even when it's hard. Whether you're seeking to heal from past wounds, strengthen your marriage, improve relationships, or simply know God's love better, our love studies will transform your life from the inside out. Join women, men, and families around the world discovering the life-changing power of divine love. Download Bible Way today and begin your journey into the depths of God's love.