loving your enemies
What does the Bible say about loving your enemies? These are the passages readers found most helpful — tap any citation to read it in context.
11 passages · most helpful first
44But I say to you: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. And pray for those who persecute and slander you.
43You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and you shall have hatred for your enemy.’ 44But I say to you: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. And pray for those who persecute and slander you. 45In this way, you shall be sons of your Father, who is in heaven. He causes his sun to rise upon the good and the bad, and he causes it to rain upon the just and the unjust. 46For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Do not even tax collectors behave this way? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what more have you done? Do not even the pagans behave this way? 48Therefore, be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
27But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you.
14Bless those who are persecuting you: bless, and do not curse.
20So if an enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in doing so, you will heap burning coals upon his head.
34Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them. For they know not what they do.” And truly, dividing his garments, they cast lots.
35So truly, love your enemies. Do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return. And then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and to the wicked.
27But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. 28Bless those who curse you, and pray for those who slander you.
9not repaying evil with evil, nor slander with slander, but, to the contrary, repaying with blessings. For to this you have been called, so that you may possess the inheritance of a blessing.
18Do not seek revenge, neither should you be mindful of the injury of your fellow citizens. You shall love your friend as yourself. I am the Lord.
7Most beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God. And everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.