The word “enemies” occurs 248 times in the Bible. The infographic below identifies the points of each occurrence. This graphic presentation starts with Genesis in the top left and concludes with Revelation in the bottom right.
Here are the 30 most compelling Bible scriptures on loving your enemies.
Luke 6:27
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”
Matthew 5:44
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Romans 12:20
To the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Luke 23:34
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.
1 Corinthians 16:14
Let all that you do be done in love.
1 Corinthians 4:12
And we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure.
1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Acts 7:60
And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Exodus 23:5
“If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him.”
John 13:34
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
Leviticus 19:18
“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
Luke 6:28
“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”
Luke 6:35
“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”
Mark 11:25
“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Matthew 24:13
“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Matthew 5:43
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’”
Matthew 5:45
“So that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Matthew 5:46
“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?”
Matthew 5:48
“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 7:12
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
Proverbs 24:17
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles.
Proverbs 25:21
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
Romans 12:19
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
Romans 12:9
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
More Bible Verses that Will Move You
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60 Transcendent Verses on Trust
50 Strong Scriptures on Perseverance
68 Powerful Verses on Forgiveness
40 Uplifting Scriptures on Patience
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Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. She has a Master's Degree in Law from The University of Texas. Natalie has been published in several national journals and has been practicing law for 18 years.