What Does the Bible Say About Love — In Biblical Context
The Bible defines love not as a feeling but as a sacrificial choice — modeled perfectly by God's gift of His Son.
The Bible defines love not as a feeling but as a sacrificial choice — modeled perfectly by God's gift of His Son.
"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." — 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
Love is the central theme of Christianity. The Bible's most famous verse declares, 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son' (John 3:16) — defining love as sacrificial giving. 1 Corinthians 13, the 'love chapter,' provides the Bible's most detailed description: love is patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, rejoices in truth, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. The Greek New Testament uses different words for love: agape (unconditional, God-like love), phileo (brotherly affection), and eros (romantic love, implied but not used). Jesus identified love as the greatest commandment: 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart' and 'Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself' (Matthew 22:37-39). He raised the bar even higher: 'Love your enemies' (Matthew 5:44) and 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends' (John 15:13). Biblical love is not passive sentiment — it is active, costly, and transformative.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, sits inside 1 Corinthians 13. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"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."
Supporting Passages
"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
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