Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8200 The character of the believer » 8292 love » 8298 love, for one another
Scripture instructs God's people to love one another and illustrates what this means in practice.
Reasons for loving one another
God commands it
Galatians 5:14 See also Leviticus 19:18
Love for foreigners commanded:
Leviticus 19:34; Deuteronomy 10:19 Matthew 22:39 pp Mark 12:31 the second greatest commandment; John 15:12 Jesus Christ commands his disciples to love one another; Romans 13:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Hebrews 13:1; James 2:8; 1 Peter 1:22; Peter 2:17; 1 John 3:23; John 4:21; 2Jn 5
God has taken the initiative in showing love
1 John 4:11 See also Malachi 2:10; 1 Corinthians 8:11-13; 1 John 3:16
God's people are known by their love
John 13:35 See also 1 John 2:10; John 3:14; John 4:7,16,20
Love maintains fellowship
1 Peter 4:8 See also Proverbs 10:12; Proverbs 17:9; Ephesians 4:2
Love promotes sacrificial service
1 Thessalonians 2:8 See also Proverbs 17:17; 2 Corinthians 12:15; Galatians 5:13; Philippians 2:30; Philippians 4:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:3
Expressing love for one another
In caring for the sick
Matthew 25:36 See also Job 2:11; Galatians 4:14
In meeting material needs
Matthew 25:35 See also Deuteronomy 15:7-8; 1 John 3:17
In affectionate greetings
2 Corinthians 13:12 See also Genesis 33:4; Genesis 45:14-15; Acts 20:37; Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 1 Peter 5:14
Examples of the demonstration of love for one another
Genesis 14:14-16 Abraham for Lot; Exodus 32:31-32 Moses for Israel; 1 Samuel 18:3 Jonathan; Luke 7:2-6 the Roman centurion for his servant; Luke 10:29-37 the good Samaritan; Acts 4:32; Acts 16:33 the Philippian jailer; Acts 20:38; Romans 16:4; 2 Corinthians 2:4; Ephesians 1:15; Philippians 1:8; Philippians 4:1; 2 Timothy 1:16-17 Onesiphorus; Phm 12; 3Jn 6
Paul's love for his churches
Corinth:
2 Corinthians 1:3-6; Corinthians 2:4 Galatians 4:19 Galatia
Philippi:
Philippians 1:3,7; Philippians 4:1
Thessalonica:
1 Thessalonians 2:7-8; Thessalonians 3:7-10,12
See also
5777 admonition 5802 care 6718 reconciliation, believers 7025 church, unity 7028 church, life of 7030 unity 7925 fellowship among believers 8230 discipline 8291 kindness 8318 patience 8342 servanthood 8452 neighbours, duty to
