What Does The Bible Say About Affection? (35 Bible Verses)
Affection—it’s a fundamental aspect of human relationships, but what does the Bible say about expressing love and care? From familial bonds to romantic partnerships, scripture offers guidance on cultivating healthy affection in our interactions with others. Let’s delve into the biblical teachings that illuminate the beauty and importance of genuine affection.
What Does The Bible Say About Affection
Genesis 29:20 – True Affection for Rachel
“So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.”
1 Samuel 18:1 – Jonathan’s Affection for David
“After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.”
2 Samuel 1:26 – David’s Affection for Jonathan
“I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women.”
Job 29:4 – Affection for the Friendship of God
“Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house.”
Psalm 37:4 – God’s Affection Delighting His People
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Proverbs 17:17 – A Friend’s Affection in Troubles
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
Song of Solomon 1:2 – The Bride’s Affection for Her Beloved
“Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—for your love is more delightful than wine.”
Jeremiah 31:3 – Everlasting Affection of the Lord
“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’”
Matthew 5:44 – Loving Our Enemies
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Matthew 6:24 – God Desires Our Exclusiveness
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
Matthew 19:19 – Loving Your Neighbor
“Honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.”
Mark 12:30 – Loving God with All Our Heart
“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 13:34 – A New Command to Love One Another
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
John 15:9 – Abiding in God’s Love
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”
Romans 5:8 – God’s Demonstrative Love
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 12:10 – Loving One Another
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Characteristics of Love
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Ephesians 4:2 – Bearing with One Another in Love
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Ephesians 5:2 – Walking in Love
“And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Philippians 1:9 – Overflowing Love with Knowledge and Discernment
“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.”
Colossians 3:14 – Love, the Perfect Bond
“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
1 Thessalonians 3:12 – Increasing and Abounding in Love
“May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you.”
1 Timothy 6:11 – Pursue Love and Godliness
“But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.”
2 Timothy 1:7 – A Spirit of Love
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.”
Titus 2:2 – Older Men to Be Temperate and Loving
“Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love, and in endurance.”
Philemon 1:4-5 – Appreciation for the Love of All the Saints
“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus.”
Hebrews 10:24 – Encouraging Love and Good Works
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
James 2:8 – Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.”
1 Peter 1:22 – Sincere Love for One Another
“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.”
1 John 3:18 – Love in Deeds and Truth
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
1 John 4:7 – Loving One Another as God’s Children
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”
1 John 4:18-19 – Perfect Love Drives Out Fear
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.”
2 John 1:6 – Walking in Love
“And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”
Jude 1:21 – Keeping Yourself in God’s Love
“Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”
Romans 13:10 – Love Does No Harm
“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
1 Corinthians 13:2 – Without Love, Nothing
“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”
1 Peter 3:8 – Unity, Sympathy, Love, and Compassion
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”
1 John 4:12 – Love Made Complete in Us
“No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
Deuteronomy 6:5 – Loving God with All Your Being
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 7:9 – Covenant Faithfulness and Love
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
Psalm 23:6 – God’s Unfailing Love
“Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 136:26 – God’s Steadfast Love
“Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.”
Psalm 145:20 – The Lord’s Love for All He Has Made
“The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.”
Isaiah 54:10 – Everlasting Love of the Lord
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
