In our everyday lives, we come across many people – some we know well, and others we may only see in passing.
But what does the Bible say about how we should treat these individuals who make up our community? The concept of being a good neighbor is a central theme in the Bible, emphasizing love, compassion, and kindness towards others.
In this article, we’ll explore some key Bible verses about neighbors, unpacking the wisdom they offer and how we can apply it in our lives today. Do read on!
Also Read: Bible Verses About Brothers
Top Bible Verses About Neighbors
Leviticus 19:18
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
Matthew 22:39
“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Romans 13:10
“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
Galatians 5:14
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Luke 10:27
“He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Romans 15:2
“Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.”
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.”
Luke 10:29-37
“But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbor?’… ‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’ The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’ Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.’”
Proverbs 3:28
“Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you’— when you already have it with you.”
Galatians 6:2
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Loving Your Neighbor
Matthew 5:43-44
“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.”
Luke 6:31
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Romans 13:8
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
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.”
Helping Your Neighbor
Proverbs 3:27
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.”
Luke 10:36-37
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Galatians 6:10
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Hebrews 13:16
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
James 2:15-16
“Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”
Being a Good Neighbor
Romans 15:2
“Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.”
Philippians 2:3-4
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
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. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
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.”
Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Respecting Your Neighbor
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.”
Romans 12:10
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Romans 14:13
“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.”
Galatians 5:13
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
1 Peter 2:17
“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”
Being Generous to Your Neighbor
Proverbs 22:9
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
Proverbs 11:25
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”
Luke 6:38
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Acts 20:35
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
2 Corinthians 9:7
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Praying for Each Other
Resolving Conflicts with Your Neighbor
Matthew 18:15
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”
Proverbs 17:14
“Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.”
Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
Romans 12:18
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Ephesians 4:26
“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
Praying for Your Neighbor
1 Timothy 2:1-2
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”
James 5:16
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Colossians 1:9
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
“pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1:3-4
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.”
Showing Hospitality to Your Neighbor
Hebrews 13:2
“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
Romans 12:13
“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
1 Peter 4:9
“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
Luke 14:12-14
“Then Jesus said to his host, ‘When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’”
Romans 12:20
“On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Bearing One Another’s Burdens
Galatians 6:2
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Romans 15:1
“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.”
1 Thessalonians 5:14
“And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.”
Galatians 6:5
“For each one should carry their own load.”
Acts 20:35
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Respecting Property and Boundaries
Exodus 20:17
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Leviticus 19:11
“Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another.”
Proverbs 22:28
“Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors.”
Proverbs 25:17
“Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—too much of you, and they will hate you.”
Proverbs 24:28
“Do not testify against your neighbor without cause— would you use your lips to mislead?”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Acceptance
Final Thought
As we conclude, let us remember the timeless wisdom of the Scriptures regarding neighbors. Let us heed the call to love them as ourselves, to offer kindness, and to be good stewards of the community around us. May we embody the spirit of compassion and understanding, seeking to build bridges and foster harmony. Let us go forth, inspired by the teachings of the Bible, to be shining examples of neighborly love in our daily lives. Amen.