Jesus responded to a Pharisee’s query on which of the Law’s commandments is the most important in Matthew 22:37-39. In response, Jesus said, “You must love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, and mind.” The first and most important commandment is this one. It is similar to the second: You must love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus summed up the entire law and the prophets in this statement. Love—both love for God and love for others—is at the heart of God’s commands.
These verses are not merely instructions; they are the foundation of every other divine command. They reveal that true righteousness is not about rituals or rules alone, but about the condition of the heart and the overflow of love. Jesus affirmed that the way we relate to God and people determines the authenticity of our faith. When our hearts are rightly aligned in love, obedience naturally follows. This commandment is not just an ideal; it is the essence of the Christian life.
Wholehearted Love for God
Loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind is not a casual affection. It means total devotion—loving Him with your emotions (heart), your inner being (soul), and your understanding (mind). God doesn’t want a divided heart or half-hearted loyalty. He desires a love that saturates every part of our lives. This love is not based on duty but on a relationship built through grace. The more we know God, the more we are moved to love Him completely.
To love God this way requires surrender. It involves giving Him first place in every area: our time, resources, thoughts, plans, and desires. It means trusting Him when it’s hard, obeying Him when it’s inconvenient, and worshipping Him when no one is watching. This kind of love transforms us and aligns us with His heart. It becomes the driving force behind every decision, every act of service, and every moment of worship.
Love for Others as an Extension of God’s Love
Jesus said the second commandment is like the first: to love your neighbor as yourself. The word “neighbor” goes beyond the person next door—it means everyone around us, including the difficult, the different, and even the undeserving. Loving others isn’t optional for believers; it is evidence that we truly love God. When our vertical relationship with God is right, it impacts our horizontal relationships with people.
This kind of love is sacrificial, forgiving, patient, and kind. It refuses to gossip or hold grudges. It seeks to build up, not tear down. When we love others as ourselves, we treat them with dignity, compassion, and grace. Loving others is not always easy, but it is always essential. It reflects the love that God has shown us through Christ. In living out this commandment, we become vessels of God’s love and light to a hurting world.
Matthew 22:37-39 Greatest Commandment Explained with Supporting Scriptures
Matthew 22:37–39 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Love for God and others sums up the entire law and fulfills His greatest desire for us.
Deuteronomy 6:5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Wholehearted love for God has always been central to faithful living.
Leviticus 19:18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge… but you shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Loving others includes forgiveness and humility, even in conflict.
John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you.
Jesus raises the standard of love—we are to love as He loved us.
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.
Loving others shows that we belong to God and reflect His nature.
Romans 13:10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Genuine love fulfills God’s law because it puts others first.
1 Corinthians 13:2 If I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
Without love, even the greatest spiritual acts are empty.
1 John 4:20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar.
Our love for God is proven by how we treat others.
Galatians 5:14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Loving others captures the heart of every commandment God has given.
Mark 12:30–31 You shall love the Lord your God… and the second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Jesus repeats this truth across the Gospels, showing its importance.
Luke 10:27 You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbor as yourself.
Loving both God and others is central to eternal life.
John 15:12 This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Christ commands us to model our love after His sacrificial love.
James 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law… “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
Loving your neighbor is a royal law—a high and noble calling.
1 John 3:18 Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
Real love is expressed through action and sincerity, not empty words.
Romans 5:5 God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.
We are empowered to love by the Spirit living within us.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Love puts others before self and acts in humility.
Colossians 3:14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Love is the glue that holds every other virtue in place.
1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Persistent love brings healing and peace in relationships.
2 John 1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments.
Loving God means obeying His Word from the heart.
John 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Love for Christ is shown through joyful obedience.
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
True love is sacrificial and gives even to the point of laying down one’s life.
1 John 4:21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Loving others is inseparable from loving God.
1 Corinthians 13:4–5 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.
Love expresses itself in humility, patience, and respect for others.
Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Honor and affection mark a heart that truly loves its neighbor.
Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Christ-like love extends even to those who hurt us.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son.
God’s love is the model for the selfless giving we’re called to.
1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Receiving God’s love compels us to share it with others.
Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, and do good… expecting nothing in return.
Godly love gives generously without seeking personal benefit.
Romans 12:9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
Authentic love rejects evil and clings to what is good.
Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.
Love has the power to heal division and forgive wrongs.
1 John 2:10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.
Love leads us to walk in light and keeps us from harming others.
Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Loving others means walking with them through their struggles.
1 Peter 1:22 Love one another earnestly from a pure heart.
God desires our love to be passionate, pure, and sincere.
2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ controls us… that those who live might no longer live for themselves.
The love of Christ reshapes our motives and direction in life.
1 Thessalonians 3:12 May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all.
God desires our love to grow continually, touching everyone around us.
Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other.
Love is a lifelong obligation that fulfills God’s moral law.
Hebrews 13:1 Let brotherly love continue.
Love is not a one-time act but a continual way of life.
Mark 12:33 To love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength… is much more than all whole burnt offerings.
Loving God surpasses religious ritual and becomes the true offering.
Psalm 31:23 Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful.
Those who love God are sustained and protected by His faithfulness.
1 John 3:23 This is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another.
Faith and love together fulfill God’s command for our lives.
Luke 10:36–37 Which of these… proved to be a neighbor?… You go, and do likewise.
Jesus calls us to act in love and mercy, as the Good Samaritan did.
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Love meets people where they are with compassion and empathy.
Micah 6:8 What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Godly love includes mercy, justice, and humility.
1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love.
Every action becomes sacred when motivated by love.
Colossians 3:12 Put on… compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Love expresses itself through godly character and tender mercy.
1 John 4:16 Whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
Remaining in love keeps us close to God’s presence.
Matthew 7:12 Whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.
Love treats others with the same care and dignity we desire.
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
True love is loyal, especially during difficult times.
2 Peter 1:7 And godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
Love is the highest virtue that completes our spiritual maturity.
Titus 3:4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us.
God’s love is rooted in kindness and action toward the undeserving.
Psalm 18:1 I love you, O Lord, my strength.
Love for God is a heartfelt declaration of dependence and worship.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine… so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father.
Love in action brings glory to God and draws others to Him.
Galatians 5:6 Only faith working through love counts for anything.
True faith expresses itself through genuine love.
Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God is in your midst… he will quiet you by his love.
God’s love brings comfort and calms the restless heart.
1 John 4:12 If we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
Loving others completes the work of God’s love in us.
Romans 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Nothing can break the eternal bond of Christ’s love for us.
John 21:17 Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.
Love for God is seen in our honest and surrendered confession.
Psalm 145:20 The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.
God’s love brings both protection and justice.
2 Corinthians 8:24 So give proof before the churches of your love.
Love should be visible and evidenced in our community.
Hosea 6:6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.
God prioritizes love and relationships over empty rituals.
Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression…
Love takes action to defend and care for the vulnerable.
Philippians 1:9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.
Love should grow in depth, wisdom, and insight.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
God equips us to love courageously, not fearfully.
Psalm 36:7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
God’s unchanging love is our place of safety and rest.
Malachi 1:2 I have loved you, says the Lord.
God’s love is eternal and unprovoked—freely given.
Song of Solomon 8:7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.
True love, rooted in God, is unbreakable and enduring.
Romans 5:8 But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The cross is the ultimate display of divine love.
Summary
Jesus made it very clear that the two greatest commandments are to love God and to love people. These are profoundly related realities rather than discrete directives. You cannot truly hate people and adore God. Furthermore, without having a foundation in God’s love, it is impossible to genuinely love others. This dual command informs all else we do as Christians.
Love is not just a feeling—it is a decision, a discipline, and a spiritual fruit. It transforms how we worship, how we speak, how we forgive, how we serve, and how we live. When we love the Lord with our whole being and extend that love to others, we reflect the very heart of God. Obedience becomes a joy, and relationships become vessels of grace. These commandments are not just the greatest—they are the foundation of a life fully lived in God’s will.
