What are the bible proverbs about love? Find out in this article with commentary on each verse.
Introduction
Without love, there is no life. God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only son, Jesus Christ, to die for humanity. Love urges one to act in kindness, mercy, and in patience. One cannot claim to love without showing it. Love is a verb, it is an action word. God’s love is visible to humanity in that, whilst we were sinners, He loved us and sacrificed His son for us.
The book of Proverbs reflects on different types of love.
6 Bible proverbs about love
Proverbs 3:12
For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
The highlight of any man’s life is a personal relationship with God, his creator. The proof of God’s affection for humanity is when He corrects him as a father. Not only as a father, but a father who is pleased with his child and approves of him. God compares his love for humanity to that of an earthly father. He who does not correct his child does not care about the child or what happens in the child’s life or future. But where there is affection, there is correction, because correction directs the child on the right path.
Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
Hatred means loathing something or detestation. It can be referred to as having an extreme dislike toward something or someone. Strife means conflict. Hatred causes conflicts, quarrels, fights and rivalry. All this is unnecessary and can be avoided by love. Love is the opposite of hate. Hate is negative and love is positive. Christians are encouraged to love and turn the other cheek when wronged. If we do not exercise love, we cannot put up with each other and we will have no tolerance. This only leads to unnecessary contentions.
Proverbs 15:17
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.
A grave situation is more tolerable when there is love. The analogy given is that of plain ordinary food, possibly because of poverty. The wise saying is stating a preference to living under terrible conditions with love than to have plenty whilst surrounded by hatred. Your peace is more important than anything else. Possessions do not bring peace. Earthly riches are useless without love. It is better to have love than to have everything but be miserable. Let us, therefore, seek for the love of God than earthly treasures. We find true love in God.
Proverbs 17:9
He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.
This is the best proverb for social etiquette and forgiveness. The covering of a transgression means concealing or hiding. This concealing is an act of seeking love. When applied to our lives, it means we as Christians must protect one another and put a stop to gossip or slander. Repeating a matter is not Christ-like. In fact, it can destroy friendships.
Proverbs 22:11
He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
A proverb that praises character and points to where and how far a good character can take you. The character traits that are being highlighted are a pure heart (having internal purity, without hypocrisy) and gracious speech (good words). Even a king would love to befriend a person of such integrity. Love is defined as part of one’s character. When a person loves to have a pure heart, that person becomes one who is full of love. As Christians, may we have pure hearts and speak good words to one another.
Proverbs 30:18-19
There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:
The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
The author of Proverbs 30, prophet Agur, speaks of four mysteries that baffled him. One of the mysteries is how a man loves a woman. Clearly, the love a man has for a woman is different. The love causes him to leave his father’s house and cleave to his wife. This love forms a deep bond, the man and woman become one flesh. This love and unity is indeed a mystery.
Conclusion
The book of Proverbs speaks of different kinds of love. These different types of love are the foundations of different types of relationships. Proverbs 3:12 focuses on the highest form of love, which is the love of God for man. This is called agape love. Proverbs 10:12 is about phileo love, which is brotherly love. This brotherly love is the one found in churches amongst true believers. Proverbs 30:18-19 touches on the most sought-after love, the love between a man and a woman, which is called eros.
