The Bible addresses hate in detail, stressing love, forgiveness, and righteousness while cautioning against its perils. Some texts demonstrate that God detests evil (Proverbs 6:16–19), while others denounce hatred as damaging (1 John 2:9).
We can accept God’s love, get over our resentment, and pursue peace when we comprehend biblical teachings on hate. Find out how Scripture instructs us to reject hatred, love our adversaries, and walk in righteousness in this compilation of 40 Bible verses about hate.
What Does the Bible Say About Hate?
Christians are taught to oppose evil and to reject hatred against others in the Bible, which handles hate in a variety of ways. According to Proverbs 10:12, love is greater than all evils, yet 1 John 2:9 warns that anyone who hates their brother or sister is still in the dark.
However, the Bible makes clear that God detests injustice and sin (Proverbs 6:16–19). It is our duty as Christians to show God’s love and righteousness in our daily lives by loving our enemies (Matthew 5:44) and defeating evil with good (Romans 12:21).
How Hate Affects the Heart and Spirit
40 Best Bible Verses about Hate
The Bible offers wisdom on hate, warning against its dangers while guiding us to embrace love, forgiveness, and righteousness. Below are 40 Bible verses about hate, along with meaningful messages to help you reflect on their teachings.
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
Message: Love has the power to heal and bring peace, while hate fuels division and strife.
1 John 2:9
“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.”
Message: True faith is demonstrated through love. Harboring hate keeps us away from God’s light.
Matthew 5:44
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Message: Jesus calls us to rise above hate by showing love and praying for those who wrong us.
Romans 12:9
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
Message: Hate should be directed at sin and wrongdoing, not at people. Choose goodness.
Proverbs 6:16-19
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
Message: God despises sin and injustice. We should strive to avoid these destructive behaviors.
Leviticus 19:17
“Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt.”
Message: Instead of harboring hate, address issues honestly and seek resolution.
1 John 4:20
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”
Message: Loving others is proof of our love for God. Hate has no place in a believer’s heart.
Ephesians 4:31
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
Message: Free yourself from negative emotions and embrace peace, kindness, and love.
Psalm 97:10
“Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.”
Message: Love for God leads us to reject evil and live righteously under His protection.
Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Message: The best way to fight hatred is by responding with goodness and love.
1 Peter 3:9
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
Message: Overcome hate by choosing kindness and forgiveness.
Psalm 37:8
“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.”
Message: Anger and hatred lead to destruction, but peace brings wisdom.
Matthew 7:12
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Message: Treat others with love and respect, not with hatred or vengeance.
Proverbs 10:18
“Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.”
Message: Hiding hate and spreading lies harms both others and yourself.
John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Message: Love is the mark of true discipleship. Hate has no place in a believer’s heart.
Ephesians 5:11
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”
Message: Hate is a work of darkness; instead, seek truth and righteousness.
Proverbs 26:28
“A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
Message: Dishonesty stems from hate and leads to destruction.
1 Thessalonians 5:15
“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”
Message: Don’t let hate control you—choose to do good instead.
Psalm 140:1-2
“Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers; protect me from the violent, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.”
Message: Pray for protection from those who spread hate and violence.
Colossians 3:12-13
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.”
Message: Replace hatred with kindness, patience, and forgiveness.
1 John 4:8
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
Message: Hate distances us from God, while love brings us closer to Him.
Psalm 97:10
“Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.”
Message: Instead of hating people, direct your hatred toward sin and wrongdoing.
Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Message: Strive for peace rather than allowing hatred to take root in your heart.
1 John 3:15
“Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.”
Message: Hatred is spiritually destructive and leads to separation from God.
Romans 12:9
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
Message: Direct your emotions toward rejecting sin, not toward hating others.
Ephesians 4:31
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
Message: Let go of hateful emotions and embrace peace and kindness.
Proverbs 6:16-19
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
Message: God despises actions that cause harm and division, so we should avoid them.
Luke 6:27-28
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
Message: Responding to hate with love is the true mark of a believer.
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
Message: Hate leads to division, while love brings reconciliation and peace.
Galatians 5:19-21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy… Those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Message: Hatred is a work of the flesh and must be overcome by walking in the Spirit.
James 1:19-20
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
Message: Anger and hate do not bring about God’s will—patience and understanding do.
1 John 2:9
“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.”
Message: Hatred keeps us spiritually blind, but love helps us walk in the light of Christ.
Matthew 5:44
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Message: Responding to hate with love and prayer transforms hearts and minds.
Psalm 11:5
“The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.”
Message: God despises evil and violence, calling His people to live in peace.
Proverbs 8:13
“To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”
Message: Instead of hating people, hate sin and wrongdoing that separate us from God.
Romans 12:14
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
Message: Even when others show hatred, we are called to respond with blessing and grace.
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Message: Hatred has no place in a life dedicated to justice, mercy, and humility.
Ephesians 6:12
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Message: People are not our enemies—our true battle is against sin and evil forces.
Luke 23:34
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’”
Message: Even in suffering, Jesus chose to forgive—so should we.
1 Peter 2:1
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.”
Message: Hatred and malice poison the heart—choose love and integrity instead.
Zechariah 8:17
“Do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this, declares the Lord.”
Message: God despises deception and wickedness—live in truth and love.
Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.”
Message: Revenge fuels hatred, but trusting God brings justice.
Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Message: Ask God to cleanse your heart from hate and lead you in righteousness.
Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
Message: Love and justice go hand in hand—stand for righteousness instead of harboring hate.
John 15:18
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”
Message: Hatred from others should not discourage us—Jesus faced it too.
Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Message: Even when we were undeserving, God’s love overcame hate.
Psalm 119:163
“I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law.”
Message: Reject lies and embrace the truth found in God’s word.
Matthew 22:37-39
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Message: The greatest commandments leave no room for hate—only love.
Titus 3:2-3
“To slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.”
Message: Before knowing Christ, we were ruled by hate, but now we live in His love.
Revelation 2:6
“But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.”
Message: Hate should be directed at sin, not people, as we seek to live in righteousness.
Summary
The Bible addresses hate head-on, urging love, forgiveness, and righteousness while cautioning against its devastating potential. These verses serve as a reminder that spiritual darkness results from hatred, whether it is directed at other people or at ourselves. Rather, as Jesus did in Luke 23:34, we are to forgive as Jesus did, love our adversaries (Matthew 5:44), and defeat evil with good (Romans 12:21).
God’s Word instructs us to substitute love, peace, and tolerance for hate, which is frequently based on sin, pride, and injustice. Scripture also makes it clear that we should not develop hatred toward others, even while we must reject immorality and evil (Proverbs 8:13, Psalm 11:5). Rather, we should pursue justice, be merciful (Micah 6:8), and have faith in God’s just judgment (Proverbs 20:22).
