As followers of Christ, we are called to walk in love, but the Bible doesn’t shy away from addressing the topic of hate. Scripture provides clear guidance on the destructive nature of hatred, the kind of hate that God opposes, and how we, as believers, should respond. Here are seven key themes and accompanying verses that explore what the Bible teaches about hate.
Also Read: Bible Verses About the World Hating You
God Hates Evil and Wickedness
God is love, but He is also just and holy. The Bible makes it clear that God hates evil, wickedness, and all forms of injustice. This kind of divine hatred is not born out of malice, but from His perfect righteousness and desire for what is good and holy.
Proverbs 6:16-19
“There are six things the Lord hates—no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.”
Psalm 5:4-5
“O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked. Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence, for you hate all who do evil.”
Zechariah 8:17
“Don’t scheme against each other. Stop your love of telling lies that you swear are the truth. I hate all these things, says the Lord.”
Amos 5:15
“Hate evil and love what is good; turn your courts into true halls of justice. Perhaps even yet the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will have mercy on the remnant of his people.”
Isaiah 61:8
“For I, the Lord, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them.”
God Commands Us Not to Hate Others
Hatred towards others is contrary to the teachings of Christ. Believers are called to love their neighbors and even their enemies. Scripture repeatedly warns against harboring hate in our hearts, reminding us that such attitudes have no place in a life devoted to God.
Leviticus 19:17
“Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin.”
1 John 2:9
“If anyone claims, ‘I am living in the light,’ but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness.”
1 John 3:15
“Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.”
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.”
Matthew 5:43-44
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”
Hating Evil While Loving People
Christians are called to hate what is evil while continuing to love people. This balance reflects the heart of God, who desires repentance and redemption for all. We are to abhor sin, yet remain compassionate toward those caught in it.
Romans 12:9
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.”
Jude 1:23
“Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.”
Psalm 97:10
“You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of his godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked.”
Revelation 2:6
“But this is in your favor: You hate the evil deeds of the Nicolaitans, just as I do.”
Hebrews 1:9
“You love justice and hate evil. Therefore, O God, your God has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.”
The Danger of Harboring Hate
Allowing hate to fester in our hearts can lead to bitterness, violence, and separation from God. Scripture warns of the spiritual consequences of unchecked hatred, urging believers to forgive and seek reconciliation.
Titus 3:3
“Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.”
Galatians 5:19-21
“When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: … hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy… Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
James 1:20
“Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.”
Matthew 5:21-22
“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!”
1 Peter 2:1
“So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Hating Sin
Love Overcomes Hate
One of the most powerful messages in Scripture is that love has the power to overcome hate. As Christians, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to return love for hatred and kindness for cruelty, reflecting the heart of Christ in our actions.
Romans 12:21
“Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”
Luke 6:27-28
“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.”
1 Peter 3:9
“Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.”
Proverbs 25:21-22
“If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the Lord will reward you.”
God’s Hatred of Hypocrisy and False Religion
Scripture warns against a form of religion that looks good outwardly but harbors evil intentions and pride. God detests hypocrisy, empty rituals, and a lack of genuine repentance. True worship involves a heart transformed by love and truth.
Isaiah 1:13-14
“Stop bringing me your meaningless gifts; the incense of your offerings disgusts me! As for your celebrations of the new moon and the Sabbath… they are all sinful and false. I want no more of your pious meetings. I hate your new moon celebrations and your annual festivals. They are a burden to me. I cannot stand them!”
Amos 5:21-22
“I hate all your show and pretense—the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies. I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings. I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings.”
Matthew 23:27-28
“What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity.”
Malachi 1:10
“How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, and I will not accept your offerings.”
Micah 6:6-8
“What can we bring to the Lord? Should we offer him burnt offerings? … No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Christians Must Reject the Ways of Hatred
Our calling as believers includes a rejection of hatred in all its forms. We are to be marked by love, kindness, and humility, even when the world around us is steeped in division. The New Testament repeatedly urges believers to rise above hate through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Colossians 3:8
“But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.”
1 John 4:20
“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?”
Matthew 24:10
“And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other.”
Galatians 6:10
“Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.”
Philippians 2:3
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.”