Bible Verses About Loving Your Neighbour (and How to Live Them)

Love on The World takes its name and its motto from Scripture: "Do everything in love" (1 Corinthians 16:14). Jesus said the whole law hangs on loving God and loving your neighbour. Here are the key verses about loving others — and simple ways to put them into practice where you live.

Do everything in love.

The great command

Mark 12:31 — "Love your neighbor as yourself." Jesus called it the second greatest commandment.

Leviticus 19:18 — the command first appears here: "love your neighbor as yourself."

Galatians 5:14 — "For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Romans 13:10 — "Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."

Luke 10:25–37 — asked "Who is my neighbor?", Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan: your neighbour is anyone in need you can help.

Why we love

1 John 4:19 — "We love because he first loved us."

1 John 4:7 — "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God."

John 13:34 — "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."

What love looks like

1 Corinthians 13:4 — "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud."

1 John 3:18 — "Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."

Philippians 2:4 — "Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."

Romans 12:10 — "Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."

1 Peter 4:8 — "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

Love for those in need

Matthew 25:40 — "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Proverbs 3:27 — "Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act."

Galatians 6:10 — "As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people."

Hebrews 13:2 — "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers."

Love even for enemies

Matthew 5:44 — "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Romans 12:20–21 — feed a hungry enemy; "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Ways to love your neighbour this week

Learn names

Learn the names of the people on your street and pray for each household.

Meet a practical need

Shovel a driveway, bring a meal, offer a ride. See 20 outreach ideas for more.

Offer to pray

When someone shares a struggle, ask if you can pray — here's how.

Share the reason for your hope

Love opens doors. When people ask why you care, tell them about Jesus — gently and honestly.

Join others

Love on The World groups love their cities every week — find one near you.

Questions people ask

Where does the Bible say to love your neighbour as yourself?

Leviticus 19:18 first, then Jesus in Mark 12:31, Matthew 22:39 and Luke 10:27; Paul repeats it in Romans 13:9 and Galatians 5:14.

Who is my neighbour according to the Bible?

In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37), Jesus shows that your neighbour is anyone in need whom you are able to help.

What is the greatest commandment?

Jesus said: love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and the second is to love your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12:30–31).

What does 'do everything in love' mean?

1 Corinthians 16:14 calls believers to let love shape every action. It's the motto of Love on The World.

How can I love my neighbour practically?

Learn their names, pray for them, meet practical needs, show hospitality, offer to pray with them, and share the hope you have when they ask.

Love your city with us

Weekly outreach groups meet real needs, pray for people and share Jesus. Find one near you or start one. Find a group

Next steps

Find a weekly outreach · 20 church outreach ideas