Hatred is a heavy burden that darkens the soul and divides relationships.
It corrodes the heart and keeps us from living in the freedom and love that God desires for us.
Whether it stems from hurt, anger, or misunderstanding, hatred disrupts the peace God calls us to pursue.
The Bible speaks directly and powerfully about hatred, urging us to release it and instead embrace love, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
These Bible verses confront the destructive nature of hatred and guide us toward the healing path of love and unity.
As you read through them, let God’s Word transform your heart, freeing you from bitterness and filling you with His peace.
Remember, the cure for hatred is found in God’s love—a love so pure and powerful that it conquers even the deepest wounds.
Bible Verses About Hatred Towards Others
1. 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.”
2. Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
3. 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.”
4. Leviticus 19:17-18
“Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
5. Romans 12:19
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
6. Ephesians 4:26-27
“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
7. Colossians 3:8
“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
8. 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.”
9. Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
10. Proverbs 15:1
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
11. 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.”
12. 1 Peter 4:8
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
13. 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; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
14. 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.”
15. Proverbs 17:9
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
16. Romans 12:17-18
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
17. 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.”
18. 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.”
19. Ephesians 4:31-32
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
20. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
21. Matthew 5:22
“But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
22. Proverbs 14:21
“It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.”
23. 1 John 2:9
“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.”
24. Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
25. Romans 13:10
“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
26. Zechariah 8:17
“Do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.”
27. John 15:18-19
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
28. 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.”
29. Genesis 50:20
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
30. Mark 11:25
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
31. Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.”
32. Psalm 34:14
“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
33. 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.’”
34. Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
35. 1 Corinthians 16:14
“Do everything in love.”
Conclusion
Hatred is a destructive force that distances us from God, others, and even ourselves.
It blinds us to God’s love and the beauty of relationships He designed for unity and peace.
These verses make it clear that God calls us to a higher standard of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
By releasing hatred and choosing love, we reflect God’s grace and transform our relationships.
This doesn’t mean we ignore wrongs or avoid confronting sin, but we approach everything with a heart of compassion and a desire for peace.
As you meditate on these Scriptures, may they guide you toward a life free from hatred and full of the love that only God can inspire.