Hatred towards others is a destructive emotion that can harm relationships and communities. The Bible provides guidance on overcoming hatred, emphasizing love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. These scriptures remind us of the importance of treating others with kindness and compassion, reflecting God’s love in our interactions. Here are 30 Bible verses about hatred towards others, each accompanied by a brief commentary to provide deeper understanding and reflection.
1. 1 John 4:20
“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?”
Love over hatred. This verse emphasizes that genuine love for God is incompatible with hatred towards others. It challenges believers to reflect God’s love by loving their brothers and sisters.
2. Matthew 5:44
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”
Loving enemies. Jesus teaches that we should respond to hatred with love and kindness. This radical call to love our enemies transforms relationships and reflects God’s unconditional love.
3. Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.”
Power of love. This verse highlights the destructive nature of hatred, which causes conflict and division. In contrast, love has the power to forgive and heal, promoting peace and unity.
4. 1 John 2:9
“He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.”
Hatred as darkness. This verse portrays hatred as a form of spiritual darkness, incompatible with living in the light of Christ. True discipleship requires love and rejection of hatred.
5. Leviticus 19:17
“You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.”
Confronting hatred. This verse advises against harboring hatred in the heart and encourages addressing issues directly and constructively, fostering healthier relationships and communities.
6. Ephesians 4:31
“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.”
Removing hatred. This verse calls believers to eliminate all forms of bitterness and malice from their lives, promoting a spirit of kindness, forgiveness, and love.
7. 1 John 3:15
“Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”
Seriousness of hatred. This verse equates hatred with murder, highlighting its serious nature and its incompatibility with eternal life. Love is essential for true Christian living.
8. Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Forgiveness over hatred. This passage emphasizes the importance of forgiveness. Holding onto hatred and unforgiveness hinders our relationship with God and blocks our own forgiveness.
9. Proverbs 26:24-26
“He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself; when he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.”
Deceit in hatred. This verse warns about the deceitful nature of hatred, which can be masked by kind words. True love must be sincere, without hidden malice or deception.
10. Romans 12:19
“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
Leaving vengeance to God. This verse encourages believers to avoid seeking revenge and to leave justice to God. Trusting God’s judgment allows us to let go of hatred and anger.
11. Proverbs 15:1
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Gentle responses. This verse highlights the power of gentle and kind words in diffusing anger and preventing hatred. Constructive communication fosters peace and understanding.
12. Colossians 3:8
“But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.”
Shedding negative traits. This verse calls believers to discard negative traits such as anger and malice, promoting a lifestyle that reflects Christ’s love and purity.
13. 1 Peter 3:9
“Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.”
Responding with blessings. This verse teaches that instead of responding to evil with evil, we should respond with blessings. This attitude aligns us with our calling and brings blessings.
14. Galatians 5:19-21
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Works of the flesh. This passage lists hatred among the works of the flesh, which prevent us from inheriting God’s kingdom. It emphasizes the need to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit.
15. Luke 6:27
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”
Active love. Jesus commands us to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us. This radical love breaks the cycle of hatred and demonstrates God’s love to the world.
16. James 1:19-20
“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
Controlling anger. This verse advises believers to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, as human anger does not align with God’s righteousness. Patience and understanding are key.
17. Proverbs 10:18
“Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.”
Sincerity over deceit. This verse condemns hidden hatred and slander, highlighting the foolishness of deceit. Sincere, honest communication is essential for healthy relationships.
18. Ephesians 4:26-27
“Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.”
Managing anger. This verse acknowledges that anger is natural but advises against letting it lead to sin. Resolving conflicts quickly prevents prolonged anger and the influence of the devil.
19. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil.”
Attributes of love. This passage describes the attributes of love, which include patience, kindness, humility, and forgiveness. Love, in its true form, leaves no room for hatred.
20. Psalm 37:8
“Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm.”
Avoiding harm. This verse advises against anger and wrath, noting that they cause harm. Letting go of negative emotions promotes peace and well-being.
21. Titus 3:2
“To speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.”
Peaceable living. This verse encourages believers to avoid speaking evil, to be peaceable and gentle, and to show humility. These attributes counteract hatred and promote harmony.
22. Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Peacemaking. This verse emphasizes the blessedness of peacemakers, who are called sons of God. Actively seeking peace and reconciliation reflects God’s character and counters hatred.
23. Proverbs 24:17
“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles.”
Compassion over malice. This verse advises against rejoicing in the misfortune of enemies, promoting a compassionate and forgiving heart instead of harboring hatred and malice.
24. 1 John 4:7-8
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
God is love. This passage underscores that love comes from God and knowing God means loving others. Hatred contradicts the nature of God and our relationship with Him.
25. Proverbs 15:17
“Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred.”
Value of love. This verse highlights the greater value of a simple meal with love over a lavish feast with hatred, emphasizing the importance of love in relationships.
26. Colossians 3:12-13
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
Emulating Christ. These verses call believers to embody mercy, kindness, humility, and forgiveness, reflecting Christ’s example. These qualities counteract hatred and promote harmony.
27. Proverbs 10:18
“Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.”
Honesty and integrity. This verse condemns hidden hatred and slander, advocating for honesty and integrity. Authentic relationships are built on truth and transparency, not deceit.
28. Luke 23:34
“Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.’ And they divided His garments and cast lots.”
Jesus’ forgiveness. Jesus’ plea for forgiveness for those who crucified Him exemplifies the ultimate act of love and forgiveness, even in the face of extreme hatred and injustice.
29. 1 Peter 4:8
“And above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins.'”
Power of love. This verse emphasizes the importance of fervent love among believers, which has the power to cover and forgive many sins. Love fosters reconciliation and healing.
30. Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Overcoming hatred. This verse encourages believers to counteract evil with good, transforming negative situations with positive actions. Love and goodness are powerful tools against hatred.
These verses collectively highlight the destructive nature of hatred and the transformative power of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. They encourage believers to reflect God’s love in their interactions, promoting peace and harmony in their relationships and communities. By embracing these biblical principles, we can overcome hatred and build a more loving and just world.