Today we will talk about NKJV Bible verses about love. Love is one of the most fundamental themes in the Christian faith, emphasizing the importance of showing genuine care and affection to one another. Love connects us, inspires us, and motivates us to act in kindness and compassion. As we explore these verses, let’s be open-hearted and ready to receive the incredible teachings that God has for us. These scriptures remind us that love isn’t just a feeling but an action—a commitment to both God and each other. Let’s dive into the beautiful words of scripture together!
NKJV Bible Verses About Love
Love as a Commandment
In our walk with God, we realize that love is not just a suggestion but a commandment. Jesus taught us that loving one another is essential, and it reflects our relationship with Him. This commandment does not come with conditions; rather, it is meant to be shared freely and sincerely among all of us. When we live out this loving commandment, we are shining a light in a world that often feels dark. Through love, we truly show who we are as followers of Christ, and this love binds us together as a community.
John 13:34
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” – John 13:34
1 John 4:7
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” – 1 John 4:7
Matthew 22:39
“And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Matthew 22:39
Mark 12:31
“And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” – Mark 12:31
1 John 4:19
“We love Him because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19
Unconditional Love
When we talk about love, it’s vital to recognize its unconditional nature. Unconditional love means that we love someone without expecting anything in return. This kind of love mirrors the love that God has for each of us—He loves us no matter where we are in our journey. As we embrace this principle in our lives, we begin to see the world through a lens of compassion, acceptance, and grace, leading us to share love abundantly, just as we receive it from our Creator.
Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Ephesians 4:2
“With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.” – Ephesians 4:2
1 Peter 4:8
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.'” – 1 Peter 4:8
Colossians 3:14
“But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” – Colossians 3:14
The Power of Love
Love holds incredible power; it can heal wounds, mend relationships, and inspire hope in others. When we draw from the Bible’s teachings about love, we understand how it transcends mere words and manifests in our actions. Being vessels of love means we are extending kindness, forgiveness, and understanding to those around us. This type of love transforms not only our hearts but the hearts of those we touch, creating ripples of positivity that can change the world.
1 John 3:18
“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18
1 Corinthians 16:14
“Let all that you do be done with love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14
Galatians 5:13
“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” – Galatians 5:13
Romans 13:10
“Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” – Romans 13:10
1 Timothy 1:5
“Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith.” – 1 Timothy 1:5
Love in Action
Love is meant to be active. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones and put our feelings into action. Love manifests in the small gestures we extend to those around us—a smile, a helping hand, or a listening ear. When we commit to expressing love, we become ambassadors of God’s compassion and grace. As we practice love in action, we grow closer to fulfilling God’s purpose in our lives and leaving a meaningful impact on those we encounter.
Matthew 5:44
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44
Luke 6:31
“And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” – Luke 6:31
James 2:8
“If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you do well.” – James 2:8
Philippians 2:4
“Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” – Philippians 2:4
Hebrews 10:24
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.” – Hebrews 10:24
The Rewards of Love
Loving others brings its own rewards, enriching our hearts and spirits. When we choose to love, we create connections that foster trust, joy, and unity. The Bible teaches us that love is not in vain, but it builds community and strengthens our faith. As we collectively enjoy the benefits of love, we are encouraged to keep pressing into relationships and not shy away from potential discomfort. Each act of love lays the foundation for a richer, more blessed life for us and those around us.
John 15:12
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” – John 15:12
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.” – Proverbs 10:12
Galatians 6:2
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
2 Corinthians 5:14
“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died.” – 2 Corinthians 5:14
1 Thessalonians 3:12
“And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you.” – 1 Thessalonians 3:12
The Foundation of Love
At the foundation of all love lies God Himself. Love originates from Him, and when we build our lives upon this profound truth, we find ourselves in the midst of endless love and grace. Establishing a relationship with God helps us to grasp the depth of true love, allowing us to extend that love to others. Viewing love as a divine foundation encourages us to treat ourselves and others with dignity and respect, cultivating an environment where love can thrive.
1 John 4:16
“And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.” – 1 John 4:16
Ephesians 3:17
“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love.” – Ephesians 3:17
Colossians 2:2
“That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding.” – Colossians 2:2
Romans 8:39
“Nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:39
Ephesians 5:2
“And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” – Ephesians 5:2
Love and Forgiveness
A fundamental aspect of love is forgiveness. When we love genuinely, we recognize that none of us is perfect. We all make mistakes, and that includes us too! Forgiveness allows us to release the weight of bitterness and grievances, boosting our spiritual journey. The Bible teaches us abundantly that love and forgiveness go hand in hand; when we forgive others, we demonstrate the vastness of God’s love for us. Our capacity to forgive is a reflection of how deeply we understand and accept God’s grace in our own lives.
Matthew 6:14
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” – Matthew 6:14
Ephesians 4:32
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Luke 6:37
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37
Colossians 3:13
“Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” – Colossians 3:13
Mark 11:25
“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” – Mark 11:25
God’s Everlasting Love
God’s love is everlasting, encompassing all of us no matter where we are or how far we stray. Unlike human love, which can sometimes falter, God’s love remains steadfast and unchanging. This marvelous trait of God’s love reassures us that we are never truly alone. Even in our lowest moments, His love beckons us back to Him. When we stand firm in the awareness of His everlasting love, it equips us to share that same steadfastness with others, fostering lasting bonds rooted in faith and unity.
Psalm 136:1
“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” – Psalm 136:1
Jeremiah 31:3
“The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: ‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.'” – Jeremiah 31:3
Romans 5:5
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” – Romans 5:5
Isaiah 54:10
“For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed.” – Isaiah 54:10
1 John 3:1
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” – 1 John 3:1
Final Thoughts
As we’ve explored the NKJV Bible verses about love, we’ve seen just how powerful and transformative love can be in our lives. It reminds us that love is foundational to our faith and relationships. Love is meant to guide us, inspire us, and connect us with one another and with God. As we embrace love in all its forms, we can become vessels for this divine gift—extending compassion, understanding, and forgiveness as we walk through life.
Love challenges us to grow and encourages us to show kindness even when it’s difficult. It nurtures our connections and fosters a sense of community that reflects God’s heart. As we strive to embody God’s love in our interactions, we are fulfilling His commandment and truly becoming the hands and feet of Christ in this world.
Let us remember that through love, we open the door to hope and healing. Together, we can encourage one another to keep living out this beautiful command—showing love to all and experiencing the joy that comes with it. Amen!
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4
