So how does Jesus define love?
Not as a feeling.
Not as tolerance.
Not as unconditional approval.
Jesus defines love as devotion to God expressed through obedient, sacrificial action toward others—even when it’s costly, uncomfortable, or misunderstood.
In other words, love is not something you feel.
It’s something you live.
Jesus’ definition of love is radical, demanding, and deeply transforming. It goes far beyond romance, kindness, or good intentions. According to Him, love is rooted in loyalty to God, proven by obedience, and demonstrated through self-giving service—even toward enemies.
Let’s walk through eight clear ways Jesus Himself defined love, straight from His own words.
1. Loving God Is the Foundation of Love
Everything begins here.
When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, He didn’t hesitate:
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37, NKJV)
This is not partial love.
Not convenient love.
Not occasional love.
It’s total devotion.
According to Jesus, love starts vertically before it ever becomes horizontal. If love is not anchored in God, it eventually becomes distorted—driven by emotion, preference, or self-interest.
True love begins when God is first.
2. Loving God Includes Loving Others
Jesus immediately followed the first commandment with a second:
“And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:39, NKJV)
You cannot separate these two.
Jesus never allowed people to claim love for God while neglecting love for others. If you truly love God, that love will spill over into how you treat people—your family, your neighbors, even strangers.
Love for God is invisible.
Love for others makes it visible.
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Love That Never Fails: 10 Bible Verses That Reveal God’s Heart and Transform Your Life
3. We Should Love Like Jesus
Jesus didn’t just tell us to love—He told us how to love.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you.” (John 13:34, NKJV)
This raised the standard.
Not “love others the way they treat you.”
Not “love others when it’s easy.”
But “as I have loved you.”
Jesus loved patiently.
He loved truthfully.
He loved sacrificially.
And then He said, “Do the same.”
4. We Love Through Obedience
One of the most misunderstood statements Jesus ever made about love is also one of the clearest:
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15, NKJV)
According to Jesus, obedience is not opposed to love—it reveals it.
Love is not proven by words, worship songs, or emotional moments.
Love is proven by alignment with God’s will.
To love Jesus is to take His words seriously enough to live them out.
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5. Sacrificial Love Is the Greatest Type of Love
Jesus defined love by sacrifice, not self-fulfillment:
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (John 15:13, NKJV)
Love, according to Jesus, costs something.
It gives when it would rather keep.
It serves when it would rather be served.
It endures when quitting feels easier.
The cross is the ultimate definition of love—not because it felt good, but because it gave everything.
6. We Should Love Our Enemies
This is where Jesus’ definition of love becomes truly radical.
“But I say to you, love your enemies… and pray for those who spitefully use you.” (Matthew 5:44, NKJV)
Anyone can love people who love them back.
Jesus calls us to something higher.
Loving enemies doesn’t mean approving evil—it means responding with mercy instead of revenge, prayer instead of bitterness, and obedience instead of emotion.
This kind of love is impossible without God.
Which is exactly the point.
7. Love Is the Mark of a True Disciple
Jesus said love would be the identifying mark of His followers:
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35, NKJV)
Not knowledge.
Not titles.
Not religious activity.
Love.
Biblical love is visible, consistent, and active. It reflects the heart of Christ to a watching world.
8. Love Summarizes the Entire Law
Jesus ended the discussion with this powerful statement:
“On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:40, NKJV)
Everything God desires from humanity flows from love—love for Him and love for others.
Love is not a side theme in Scripture.
It is the foundation.
When love is understood rightly, obedience makes sense, faith becomes alive, and Christian living becomes coherent.
Final Thought: How Jesus Defined Love
Jesus didn’t redefine love to make it easier.
He redefined it to make it true.
Love that obeys God.
Love that sacrifices self.
Love that tells the truth.
Love that transforms lives.
If you want to go deeper and see how Scripture consistently reveals God’s heart, we’ve created a free resource for you.
👉 Download our free Bible study guide:
“Love that Never Fails: 10 Bible Verses That Reveal God’s Heart and Transform Your Life”
It’s practical, Scripture-centered, and designed to help you live out real, Jesus-defined love—starting today.
Don’t just read about love.
Learn to live it.