Which other scriptures emphasize the importance of loving one another?

Our Core Verse: Taught by God to Love

• 1 Thessalonians 4:9

“Now about brotherly love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.”

• Paul affirms that genuine believers already know, from God Himself, that love is non-negotiable.

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Love Echoed by Jesus

• John 13:34-35

“A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

• Matthew 22:37-40

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart…’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

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John’s Letters: Evidence of New Life

• 1 John 3:11

“For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.”

• 1 John 3:14

“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers.”

• 1 John 4:7

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love comes from God.”

• 1 John 4:11-12

“If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another… if we love one another, God remains in us.”

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Paul’s Repeated Reminders

• Romans 12:10

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.”

• Romans 13:8

“Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.”

• Galatians 5:13-14

“Serve one another in love… ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

• Ephesians 4:32 – 5:2

“Be kind… forgiving each other… walk in love, just as Christ loved us.”

• Colossians 3:12-14

“Over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.”

• 1 Corinthians 13:13

“Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.”

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Peter, James, and Other Voices

• 1 Peter 1:22-23

“Love one another deeply, from a pure heart.”

• 1 Peter 4:8

“Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

• Hebrews 13:1

“Continue in brotherly love.”

• James 2:8

“If you really keep the royal law… ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well.”

• 2 Peter 1:7

“Add to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.”

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Putting It All Together

• Scripture speaks with one voice—love is the unmistakable mark of God’s people.

• Jesus issues the command; the apostles echo it; the Spirit empowers it.

• From salvation’s first step to mature discipleship, love binds every virtue, fulfills every law, and displays Christ to the world.