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100 Bible Verses about Loving Difficult People

Luke 6:27-36 ESV / 673 helpful votes

“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. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. ...

2 Timothy 2:23-26 ESV / 578 helpful votes

Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

Romans 12:9-21 ESV / 301 helpful votes

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. ...

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV / 267 helpful votes

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Matthew 5:46 ESV / 266 helpful votes

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

Proverbs 15:1-7 ESV / 262 helpful votes

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good. A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent. ...

John 15:12 ESV / 245 helpful votes

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Matthew 18:15 ESV / 225 helpful votes

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

Matthew 5:43-48 ESV / 210 helpful votes

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ...

Matthew 21:22 ESV / 178 helpful votes

And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Matthew 5:38-48 ESV / 150 helpful votes

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. ...

Proverbs 9:7-9 ESV / 136 helpful votes

Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.

Luke 6:32 ESV / 134 helpful votes

“If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

Proverbs 10:12 ESV / 119 helpful votes

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

1 Peter 4:8 ESV / 114 helpful votes

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

John 13:35 ESV / 113 helpful votes

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 3:16 ESV / 111 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Romans 5:8 ESV / 106 helpful votes

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 12:18 ESV / 99 helpful votes

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Proverbs 17:17 ESV / 99 helpful votes

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Mark 12:30 ESV / 98 helpful votes

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

John 3:16-17 ESV / 97 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Matthew 5:44 ESV / 96 helpful votes

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

John 15:13 ESV / 94 helpful votes

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Philippians 2:3 ESV / 92 helpful votes

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Ephesians 4:2 ESV / 90 helpful votes

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

1 John 4:19 ESV / 86 helpful votes

We love because he first loved us.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 85 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Luke 6:35 ESV / 83 helpful votes

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV / 81 helpful votes

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 ESV / 81 helpful votes

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

Colossians 3:14 ESV / 79 helpful votes

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 77 helpful votes

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

1 John 4:7-8 ESV / 67 helpful votes

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Matthew 7:6 ESV / 65 helpful votes

“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

1 John 4:8 ESV / 64 helpful votes

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Luke 6:27 ESV / 63 helpful votes

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV / 62 helpful votes

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...

Proverbs 12:16 ESV / 62 helpful votes

The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.

Leviticus 19:18 ESV / 61 helpful votes

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.

1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV / 60 helpful votes

Let all that you do be done in love.

Romans 12:10 ESV / 60 helpful votes

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Matthew 5:45 ESV / 60 helpful votes

So that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Romans 13:8 ESV / 58 helpful votes

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

1 John 3:1 ESV / 57 helpful votes

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

Ephesians 5:25 ESV / 56 helpful votes

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

Romans 8:28 ESV / 56 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV / 55 helpful votes

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Ephesians 4:2-3 ESV / 55 helpful votes

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV / 54 helpful votes

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Galatians 5:13 ESV / 53 helpful votes

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV / 53 helpful votes

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

John 13:34-35 ESV / 52 helpful votes

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.”

Matthew 5:44-45 ESV / 52 helpful votes

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Matthew 7:7 ESV / 51 helpful votes

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

1 John 4:7 ESV / 50 helpful votes

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

Proverbs 28:13 ESV / 50 helpful votes

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Matthew 7:1-29 ESV / 49 helpful votes

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. ...

Romans 12:20 ESV / 46 helpful votes

To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Proverbs 17:27-28 ESV / 46 helpful votes

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Exodus 20:12 ESV / 46 helpful votes

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

1 John 4:16 ESV / 45 helpful votes

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

1 Peter 5:10 ESV / 45 helpful votes

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

1 Peter 1:22 ESV / 45 helpful votes

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

Galatians 5:22 ESV / 44 helpful votes

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Romans 3:23 ESV / 44 helpful votes

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

1 Peter 3:9 ESV / 43 helpful votes

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

John 14:27 ESV / 43 helpful votes

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV / 43 helpful votes

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Philippians 2:3-4 ESV / 42 helpful votes

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.

Ephesians 4:15 ESV / 42 helpful votes

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

Romans 8:37-39 ESV / 42 helpful votes

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 41 helpful votes

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Ephesians 4:32 ESV / 40 helpful votes

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Psalm 91:1-16 ESV / 39 helpful votes

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, ...

1 Thessalonians 5:15 ESV / 38 helpful votes

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

Mark 11:25 ESV / 38 helpful votes

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Matthew 5:9 ESV / 38 helpful votes

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Romans 12:3 ESV / 37 helpful votes

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

Mark 9:23 ESV / 37 helpful votes

And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”

1 John 4:11 ESV / 36 helpful votes

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 John 3:18 ESV / 36 helpful votes

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

2 Timothy 2:24-26 ESV / 36 helpful votes

And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

Proverbs 3:3-4 ESV / 36 helpful votes

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

Ephesians 5:2 ESV / 35 helpful votes

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Galatians 2:20 ESV / 35 helpful votes

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Matthew 6:24 ESV / 35 helpful votes

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Philippians 2:14 ESV / 34 helpful votes

Do all things without grumbling or disputing,

Galatians 5:14 ESV / 34 helpful votes

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 18:1-35 ESV / 34 helpful votes

At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, ...

Matthew 7:1 ESV / 34 helpful votes

“Judge not, that you be not judged.

Philippians 4:19 ESV / 33 helpful votes

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 13:8 ESV / 33 helpful votes

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

Romans 5:5 ESV / 32 helpful votes

And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Luke 6:31 ESV / 32 helpful votes

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 32 helpful votes

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 31 helpful votes

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Romans 13:10 ESV / 31 helpful votes

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Isaiah 40:29 ESV / 30 helpful votes

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

1 John 4:12 ESV / 29 helpful votes

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

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