Bible Verses about Loving Your Enemy

Compiled by The BibleStudyTools Staff on 05/03/2023
Bible Verses about Loving Your Enemy

The Bible has many verses about loving your enemy, and they all share the same message: that we should treat our enemies with kindness and forgiveness. One of the most famous verses is Matthew 5:44, where Jesus says, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This verse encourages us to not only show love to our enemies but to actively pray for them as well.

Another verse that speaks to the importance of loving your enemy is in Luke 6:27-28, where Jesus says, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." This verse reminds us that we should be kind to those who are unkind to us and that we should not seek revenge.

In Romans 12:20-21, Paul writes, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." This verse encourages us to show kindness to our enemies even when it may be difficult.

Finally, in 1 Peter 3:9, Peter says, "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing because to this, you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." This verse reminds us that we are called to be a blessing to others even when they may not treat us well.

Overall, these verses teach us that loving our enemies is a fundamental principle of Christianity. By showing kindness, forgiveness, and love to those who may not deserve it, we can reflect the love of Christ and make a positive impact on the world around us.

Discover more Bible verses about loving your enemy in this collection of scripture quotes:

1 John 4:7 - Love One Another
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
5 If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure you help them with it.
John 13:34
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
18 “ ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
7 When the LORD takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them.
22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you.
17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,
Luke 6:35
35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
Your Daily Verse - Luke 6:27-28
27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Love is Patient, Love is Kind
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
Matthew 5:44 - Pray for Those Who Persecute You
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor  and hate your enemy.’
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Psalm 1:6 - The Way of the Righteous
1 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.
Romans 12:16
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.