Love is the greatest commandment because it is the foundation of all that God requires from His people. Love fulfills the law, reflects the character of God, and governs every command given in Scripture. Without love, obedience becomes empty ritual; with love, obedience flows from the heart.
When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus responded:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
(Matthew 22:37–40)
The first commandment, drawn from Deuteronomy 6:5, calls for complete devotion to God. It is not partial or divided affection, but total commitment of heart, soul, and mind. The second, from Leviticus 19:18, calls for selfless regard toward others.
Jesus said all the Law and the Prophets “hang” on these two. Every other command flows from love: either love for God or love for neighbor. Obedience without love is not true righteousness. As Paul wrote:
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.”
(1 Corinthians 13:1)
“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor… but have not love, it profits me nothing.”
(1 Corinthians 13:3)
Love is not an emotion only. It is a decision to seek God’s glory and others’ good. Jesus said:
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
(John 14:15)
Love and obedience are not separate, they are united. True love for God results in honoring His word. True love for others results in righteousness, mercy, and humility.
Paul reinforced this in Romans 13:9–10:
“For the commandments… are all summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
Love does not replace the law—it completes it. It meets the demands of justice, kindness, and purity because it flows from a heart submitted to God.
John wrote:
“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
(1 John 4:8)
God’s nature is love. Those who know Him reflect that love in word and deed. The greatest commandment is not one among many, it is the command that shapes all others.