How Many Times Is Love Mentioned in the Bible?

The two most vital mandates in the Bible are: “Love God above all else” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.” The Bible talks about love numerous times. How many times is love mentioned in the Bible?

Depending on the Bible version, the number of times the word love is mentioned changes. 

In the King James Version (KJV), love is mentioned 310 times, while in the Old Testament, love is mentioned 131 times. In the New Testament, love is mentioned 179 times, and in the New International Version, love is mentioned 551 times.

The New Revised Version of the Bible mentions love 551 times, and the New American Standard Bible mentions love 348 times. 

Regardless of how many times love is mentioned in the Bible, the message is clear. The Bible conveys to its readers that deep faith in God means faith in the power of love, as well, because God is love.

Read on to learn more about the number of times love is mentioned in the Bible, the context of the quotes, and the meaning behind them.

How Many Times Is Love Mentioned in the Bible?

The mention of ‘love’ in the Bible varies based on the Bible’s version. It also depends on the translation. The New Testament mentions love 179 times, while in the Old Testament, love is mentioned 131 times.

The New International Version (NIV) mentions love 551 times, and in the King James Version (KJV), love is written 310 times. In the New American Standard Bible, love is mentioned 348 times, while in the New Revised Version, love is mentioned 551 times.

But what is the Bible? Christians call the Bible the Book of Life because it has all the answers to your questions about life.

What Is the Bible?

The Bible is a collection of numerous religious texts or scriptures that are sacred to Christians, Jews, Samaritans, Rastafari, and others. According to believers, its appearance is in the form of an anthology or a compilation of texts, all revelations of God.

The Bible is a holy scripture of the Christian religion. The book tells about the Earth’s history from its creation and all the world’s living beings.

The book details the spread of Christianity all around the world in the first century A.D. The writing took place over sixteen centuries, and, reportedly, more than 40 people wrote these holy scriptures.

Who Created the Bible?

Theologians assumed that these books were written almost entirely by Moses himself. While some believed these stories were passed on by mouth, generations after generations.

These texts later turned into the Bible. Regardless of its origin, the Bible contains many parables that people can learn from and derive inspiration from to live life fully. 

Types of Biblical Love

Love is an emotion that you feel towards the person you love. You can feel happiness, contentment, and fulfillment when you are with the person you love.

Nonetheless, love is not only emotional and passionate. There are other kinds of love written in the Bible. The four types of love shown in the Bible are as follows:

1. Philia Love (Brotherly love)

The first type of love is Philia Love. Philia comes from the Greek word Philos, a noun which means “beloved, dear, a friend.” Philia is known to express experience-based love.

Philia is a love that is affectionate but not romantic. This love is usually seen and shared between family and friends. We can see philia love between Jesus and His disciples and its concept, which is brotherly love.

This love unifies Jesus’ believers and is unique to Christianity. Apostle John notes that this kind of love is what clearly defines a Christian.

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” 1 John 3:16 (New International Version). [1]

Another prime example of this is when Jesus said that the identifier of his followers is philia love.

“By this, all will know that you are My disciples if you have a love for one another.” John 13:35, (New King James Version)

2. Eros Love (Romantic love)

How many times is the word love mentioned in the Bible? The word love is mentioned around 310 times in the King James Version (KJV) and 131 times in the Old Testament.

One type of love mentioned in the Bible is Eros Love. The word “eros” is a Greek word that means love or desire. The name originated from the mythological Greek god of love, Eros, also known as Cupid (Roman counterpart.)

Love, in the form of Eros, is usually passionate and overwhelming that the Greeks often find this kind of love uncontrollable. People would lose control of their words and actions.

Nowadays, some people may call it lust. Nevertheless, love in the form of Eros can be perilous if you do not know how to control it.

In the Bible, it is clearly depicted that Eros love is only reserved for marriage. Thus, Apostle Paul forewarns the young believers about letting immorality reign within them.

“I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, and it is good for them if they abide even as I. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.” 1 Corinthians 7:8-9 (King James Version). [2]

The Old Testament doesn’t mention the word ‘Eros,’ but Solomon’s song mentioned Eros love.

3. Storge Love (Familial love)

Storge is a Greek word for familial love. Familial love is the affection that springs naturally, for example, parents’ love for their children. This love is also the type that prospers between siblings and relatives.

Storge love is different from philia love because it is for family, while philia love is for friends.

In the Bible, storge love can be likened to Mother Mary’s love for her son, Jesus, and vice versa.

4. Agape

Agape occupies the highest rank among these four types of love. This type is the love that God has for man. Agape love is universal, pure, omnipresent, absolute, and unconditional. When Jesus died on the cross for men’s sins, He gave the absolute sacrifice to save us – His life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (New International Version) [3]

How many times is God’s love mentioned in the bible? Love is mentioned so many times in various words and examples. Christian’s truest test of faith is to love everyone – with no exceptions.

Also, this love that God shares must be shared with people around you. Love is multiplied if it is shared.

Again, how many times is love mentioned in the Bible? Love mentions in the Bible are different for each Bible version and translation. The King James Version mentions love as much as 310 times, while the Old Testament mentions love only 131 times.

The New American Standard Bible mentioned love 348 times, while the New Testament love is mentioned 179 times. In the New International Version (NIV), love is mentioned 551 times, while in the New Revised Version, love is mentioned 551 times. 

Next, let’s go over some Bible verses about love.

Bible Verses About Love

Now that we know the different kinds of love, here are verses related to love.

 1. “Greater Love Has No One than This, That Someone Lay down His Life for His Friends.” 

John 15:13 (English Standard Version)

This verse speaks of so many things. This love talks about people who sacrificed their lives for their friends. It also reminds readers to love another person, just as they love themselves.

You could also interpret it as “God dearly loves us so much so that he gave his only begotten Son to save us and that whoever believes in him may have an everlasting life.” 

You could interpret the Bible according to your own experience. The book offers many lessons that you can learn from. You could also learn from noble examples that would help you become a better person.

This verse glorifies the act of sacrificing for a stranger – another person whom you may never benefit from. 

Another possible meaning of “laying down one’s life” is laying down your life for the love of Christ. You let God take the wheel of your life and let Him guide you to do good. Consequently, you have to follow the teachings and wisdom that you have learned from the Bible.

 2.“If You Love Me, You Will Keep My Commandments.”

John 14:15 (English Standard Version)

For such a simple verse, this is often ignored or overemphasized by many; when Jesus said “keep my commandments,” He is referring to His words and teachings. Christians are instructed to follow God’s commandments and stay true to God’s words.

This action is one way of proving to God that you love Him and accept Him in your life. There is no greater present you can offer God but to accept Him and follow His teachings.

 3. “Love Must Be Sincere. Hate What Is Evil; Cling to What Is Good.”

Romans 12:9 (New International Version)

In this Bible verse, St. Paul explains what it truly means to live a Christian life. He said that you should figure out the gifts that God has given you and use them to serve other people.

He also said to love each other genuinely and that you should express God’s love for you truthfully. Thus, your concern for other people must be sincere.

St. Paul also said: “Hate what is evil.” If you read the Bible, you can see that God does not hate the sinner but the sin itself. Hate the sin but not the sinner. 

St. Paul said the final phrase was to “cling to what is good,” meaning that Christians should always think and do what is good. Sometimes you may not be able to discern what “good” is.

To know what is “good,” you should learn to perceive the world as God sees it, think of the things that God deems good, and focus your energy on doing what is truly good. 

One of the well-known verses in the Bible is the Golden Rule, which states: “Do unto others what you want others to do unto you.” Suppose you don’t know whether your action is good or bad. You can recall this Golden Rule. Love others so that they will love you as well.

4.“My Command Is This: Love Each Other as I Have Loved You.”

John 15:12 (New International Version) 

God truly loves humanity, as this was proven when He gave His only begotten Son to save people from their sins.

Christ willingly sacrificed His own life for you so that you may live, and He so loves you that He did this without any hesitation. Thus, if you truly love Him, you should do the same for others; sacrifice and love them as God loves you.

5. “You Have Heard That It Was Said, ‘Love Your Neighbor and Hate Your Enemy…’

But I Tell You, Love Your Enemies and Pray for Those Who Persecute You, That You May Be Children of Your Father in Heaven. He Causes His Sun to Rise on the Evil and the Good, and Sends Rain on the Righteous and the Unrighteous.” Matthew 5:43-45 (New International Version.)

This verse about loving your enemies is a powerful statement that would differentiate Christians from pagans. Pagans love only their friends and never their enemies. However, Christians love their friends and their enemies. Through God’s grace, Christians can perform this holy act. 

It is tough to love a person who has done you wrong and who opposes you every chance he/she gets – your enemy. Nevertheless, the Bible instructs readers to love them. Loving your enemy may be a Calvary at first, but with God’s spirit, you can do it. 

Eventually, you will find the blessings derived from loving your enemy. You will have peace of mind. The hatred that has been consuming your being and making you ill and depressed would disappear instantly.

The Bible teaches you to love because love would make your world more peaceful and happier.

Conclusion – How Many Times Is the Word Love Mentioned in the Bible?

Love is mentioned in the Bible numerous times. Different Bible versions and Bible translations provide varying numbers. King James Version mentioned love 310 times, while the Old Testament mentioned love 131 times.

In the New International Version (NIV), love is mentioned 551 times, and in the New Testament, love is mentioned 179 times. On the other hand, the Bible’s New Revised Version has mentioned love 551 times, while the New American Standard Bible mentioned love 348 times. 

If you calculate the range of mentions, love is mentioned in the Bible from 131 to 551 times. The number of mentions is still over a hundred, indicating that love is a significant topic in the Bible.

Whether you’re a Christian or not, the Bible teaches love for God, for yourself, for your family, for your friends, for your neighbors, and everyone – even your enemies. If everyone follows this type of love that the Bible teaches, the world would be a better place to live in.