We’re two weeks away from Valentine’s Day, that yearly celebration of love and affection. A time for chocolates and flowers, love notes and gifts. Yet, Valentine’s Day is more than hearts and candy.
With roots in ancient Rome, Valentine’s Day is steeped in mystery and tradition. Some Christians reject the holiday due to its pagan associations, while others find no biblical reason for not celebrating.
The Bible is silent on Valentine’s Day but not on sharing God’s love with others. Scripture tells us God IS love (1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:16) – and Jesus, the greatest expression of that love (1 John 4:9-10).
As Christians, we model our love for others on God’s love for us. This year, when you show your love with a card or gift, include a Bible verse. In this post, you’ll find 14 relevant Bible verses for Valentine’s Day.
Let’s take a closer look.
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Why Celebrate Valentine’s Day?
Before we get to the Bible verses for Valentine’s Day, let’s consider WHY we celebrate this holiday. It’s known as a day of love, after all, but it evokes different emotions based on life phase or circumstance.
“At any age and stage of life, there are obstacles and opportunities, trials and triumphs,” said Ghanaian author Lailah Akita. Based on YOUR situation, Valentine’s Day might make you feel:
Some of these aren’t good feelings. And yet – no matter what your emotions say – you can celebrate Valentine’s Day because of God’s love for you.
God’s greatest gift (John 3:16) enables you to know and love Him. This, in turn, can help you love other people and celebrate that love.
This February 14, celebrate love like never before. Love your husband, your family, friends, and neighbors as a “thank you” to God. Love your Lord and Savior with all your heart, and witness His love all around you.
A Biblical Description of Love
We know we are to love each other (John 13:34), but Jesus wants us to understand love at a deeper level. He wants us to see the biblical perspective – a heavenly view of what it really means to love others.
Sometimes, the best way to understand what something is, is to understand what it isn’t. For example, love isn’t a feeling (Proverbs 28:26). Feelings are strong and they are real, but they’re not always reliable or right.
How does the Bible describe love? As a verb (action) rather than a noun (feeling). In his first letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul described love as patient and kind. The Message Bible, Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase, puts it this way:
1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
14 Bible Verses for Valentine’s Day
My New American Standard Bible (NASB) calls the passage above “The Excellence of Love.” But Corinthians is not the only place to read about love. In fact, the whole Bible is a love story!
The following Bible verses for Valentine’s Day show what love means from a biblical perspective. May each one deepen your understanding of love, and help you express it to others.
Love Above All
1 Corinthians 13:13 – “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
1 John 4:7 – “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”
Love and God
Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
Love and Marriage
Psalm 85:10 – “Lovingkindness and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”
Song of Solomon 1:2 – “May he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth! For your love is better than wine.”
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Love and Family
Exodus 20:12 – “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you.”
1 John 4:21 – “And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.”
Love and Friendship
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion.”
John 15:12-13 – “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”
Love and Neighbors
Galatians 5:13-14 – “…through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'”
Romans 15:1-2 – “Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to please his neighbor for his good, to his edification.”
Love and Strangers
Leviticus 19:34 – “The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself.”
Hebrews 13:2 – “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Conclusion
There you have it – 14 Bible verses for Valentine’s Day that explain what love means. Again, may they deepen your understanding of love – and help you express it to God and your loved ones. Thank you for reading, and Happy Valentine’s Day! 💗
Related Posts
- 7 Valentine’s Day Fun Facts to Add to Your Knowledge Trove
- 21 Christian Quotes About Love to Ponder on Valentine’s Day
- God Loves You: 7 Valentine’s Day Bible Verses for Children
Now It’s Your Turn
Thank you for reading my post. Now it’s YOUR turn to chime in. How does Valentine’s Day make you feel? What is your favorite Bible verse about love, and how does it change your perspective on the holiday?
Let’s fill the comments with friendly conversation. Scroll down to leave a response, ask a question, or just say hello. And if you liked this post, please give it a share.
Blessings, Annette
📋 NOTE – You are reading “14 Bible Verses for Valentine’s Day That Show What Love Means” on Savoring Home. First published in February 2020, it was updated in February 2024.
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May everything beautiful about God’s love find its way into your heart today. Happy Valentine’s Day to all my friends and readers in the Savoring Home community. Enjoy the weekend!