The Holy Bible has plenty to say to us about loving your neighbor as yourself. But what does that really mean, and how can you put it into practice in your everyday life? These Inspirational Bible Verses about Loving Your Neighbor will help you follow this commandment of Jesus.
Have you ever gotten into a little spat with your next-door neighbor over some trivial thing, like a dog barking at night or trash building up on the curb? We’ve all been there.
But God gave us a specific command to “love your neighbor as yourself. And if we’re honest, that’s a pretty tall order. But it’s one we should take seriously. Because a command from God is not a suggestion, it’s an all-out, no holds barred, you better do it kind of thing.
So, how can you love your neighbor when they’re so darn unlovable?
The following Bible verses will give us some insight into dealing with those annoying neighbors with love, compassion, and understanding.
What the Bible Says About Loving Your Neighbor
Loving your neighbor is one of the most important commandments in God’s Word. It’s a fundamental principle that’s echoed throughout scripture and is central to our faith.
So, whether you’re looking for inspiration, guidance, or simply a reminder of the importance of loving others with the love of Christ, these verses offer a valuable starting point.
Love Your Neighbor as Yourself Bible Verses
The commandment to love your neighbor as yourself is a call to treat others with the same kindness and respect that you would want for yourself.
That means putting yourself in their shoes and treating them with compassion and understanding. Be kind and generous to everyone around you, even if they’re strangers or enemies. And to be selfless by putting the needs of others before your own.
These scripture quotations are an inspiring look at what it means to truly love your neighbor as yourself.
You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:18 ESV
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40 New International Version
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
Luke 10:27 King James Version
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35 ESV
For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:14 NIV
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
James 2:8 ESV
And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
1 John 4:21 ESV
Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 19:19 ESV
The Second Greatest Commandment Verse
Loving your neighbor is more than just a suggestion, it’s a commandment from God. It’s a fundamental principle that’s essential to living a good and righteous life. When you love your neighbor, you’re fulfilling God’s law and showing your love for Him.
Jesus declared that to “love your neighbor as yourself” is the second greatest commandment. Coming in only slightly behind the commandment to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”
Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:28-31 NKJV
Fulfilling the Law through Love
Loving your neighbor is about more than simply being kind and generous. It’s about seeking justice, helping those in need, and standing up against evil. Most of all it’s about showing God’s love and compassion by fulfilling the law through love as the Apostle Paul explained it to us.
Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Romans 13:8-10 ESV
Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Romans 13:10 ESV
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Romans 12:10 ESV
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8 ESV
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 NKJV
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
John 15:13 NKJV
For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same?
Matthew 5:46 NASB
Why Should We Love One Another? Find out in this Bible Study!
Examples of Loving Your Neighbor in the Bible
When it comes to loving your neighbor, the Bible has many examples for you to follow. Here are a few that demonstrate how to love your neighbor.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
In the parable of the Good Samaritan, a man is beaten and left for dead on the side of the road. A priest and a Levite pass by the man without helping him, but a Samaritan stops and takes care of the man’s wounds, pays for his lodging, and promises to pay for any additional expenses when he returns again. Jesus told this story to teach us shows the importance of loving your neighbor and showing compassion and mercy to those in need, regardless of their background or social status.
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 ESV
The Golden Rule
Many people don’t know that the Golden Rule we all learned in elementary school is actually from the Bible. But it is!
Jesus Christ gave us this rule as a simple yet powerful reminder to treat others the way you would like to be treated. To be kind, respectful, and considerate to everyone, even if they don’t treat you the same way.
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 ESV
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
Luke 6:31 ESV
These Powerful Scriptures will help You Love Your Enemies even when it feels impossible!
Loving Your Enemies
Jesus taught you to love your enemies. This may seem like an impossible task, but it’s important to show kindness and forgiveness, even when it’s not deserved. Praying for those who persecute you and treating them with the same love and respect that you would show to anyone else is a great place to start.
But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
Luke 6:27-28 ESV
Bible Verse Art from Master’s Hand Collection
God is Love Bible Verse Art Print
Peace Black and White Art Print
1 John 4:7 Love One Another Art Print
Old Testament Bible Verses about Loving Your Neighbor
In both the Old Testament and New Testament, there are numerous scriptures that offer insight into what it truly means to love your neighbor. Together they provide a roadmap that shows you how to have love and compassion for those around you.
So, let’s read about how to love your neighbor throughout the Bible, starting in the Old Testament.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning. You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.
You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge 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.
You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:13-18 ESV
The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born 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 NKJV
‘When you reap the harvest of your land, moreover, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field nor gather the gleaning of your harvest; you are to leave them for the needy and the stranger. I am the Lord your God.’”
Leviticus 23:22 NASB
A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17 NKJV
Read more Heartfelt Bible Verses about Love in this Devotional!
New Testament Bible Verses about Loving Your Neighbor
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
Matthew 7:1-2 NKJV
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.
Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
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.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 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. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2 NKJV
Practical Ways to Love Your Neighbor
Loving your neighbor isn’t just about saying kind words or thinking good thoughts. It’s about taking action and showing love in practical ways.
Let’s explore some practical ways you can love your neighbor.
Showing Hospitality
Showing hospitality to family members, close friends, and strangers alike is a great way to love your neighbor. Because when you invite someone into your home, you’re showing them that they’re valued and welcomed.
Loving others doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as inviting a new neighbor over for dinner or offering a place to stay to someone who’s going through a tough time.
By showing hospitality you’ll be following the commandment to love your neighbor and spreading the love of Christ at the same time.
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 13:1-2 New International Version
Caring for the Vulnerable
Caring for the vulnerable includes those who are sick, elderly, or struggling financially. You can offer to run errands for them, cook them a meal, or simply spend time with them.
By caring for the vulnerable you’re not only helping them, you’re also showing the world what true religion looks like.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
Being a Good Neighbor
Being a good neighbor isn’t just about saying hello or waving from the driveway. It’s about actively looking for ways to help and serve those around you. This can be as simple as shoveling snow off your next door neighbor’s driveway or picking up their mail when they are out of town.
Being a good neighbor may not always be easy, but it’s always worth it. So, as you go about your day, look for ways to show love and kindness to those around you, whether they are friends, family, or strangers. You’ll make a positive impact on the world around you.
“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.”
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
Loving your neighbor is essential for living a fulfilling and meaningful life. When you love your neighbor, you show them the love of God and help to create a more loving and peaceful world. So, make an effort to love your neighbor today, whether it’s through a kind word, a helping hand, or a simple act of kindness. Remember, as you love your neighbor, you are also loving God.
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