What Does the Bible Say About Sibling Rivalry?

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 219 helpful votes

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

1 Corinthians 13:4-6 ESV / 153 helpful votes

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

1 John 3:17 ESV / 138 helpful votes

But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

1 John 4:20 ESV / 131 helpful votes

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

James 4:1 ESV / 130 helpful votes

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

Romans 12:18 ESV / 99 helpful votes

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Luke 12:12 ESV / 86 helpful votes

For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

Matthew 5:21-22 ESV / 71 helpful votes

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

James 5:9 ESV / 69 helpful votes

Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

1 Thessalonians 5:15 ESV / 69 helpful votes

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

1 Peter 4:8 ESV / 63 helpful votes

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Psalm 133:1 ESV / 58 helpful votes

A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 54 helpful votes

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

1 John 3:15 ESV / 53 helpful votes

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

James 1:2-3 ESV / 51 helpful votes

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

Ephesians 6:1-2 ESV / 37 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),

1 Peter 2:17 ESV / 32 helpful votes

Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Proverbs 18:19 ESV / 30 helpful votes

A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

Luke 15:31 ESV / 26 helpful votes

And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

Matthew 5:12 ESV / 23 helpful votes

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

John 3:16 ESV / 20 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Ephesians 4:1-32 ESV / 17 helpful votes

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ...

Matthew 18:6 ESV / 17 helpful votes

But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

1 Peter 5:5 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Matthew 5:13 ESV / 15 helpful votes

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.

Philippians 1:15-17 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment.

Proverbs 21:24 ESV / 13 helpful votes

“Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride.

Genesis 30:1-31:55 ESV / 12 helpful votes

When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I shall die!” Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?” Then she said, “Here is my servant Bilhah; go in to her, so that she may give birth on my behalf, that even I may have children through her.” So she gave him her servant Bilhah as a wife, and Jacob went in to her. And Bilhah conceived and bore Jacob a son. ...

John 1:4-20 ESV / 9 helpful votes

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. ...

John 3:1-17:26 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ...

1 John 4:18 ESV / 6 helpful votes

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Genesis 37:1-42:38 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Jacob lived in the land of his father's sojournings, in the land of Canaan. These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was pasturing the flock with his brothers. He was a boy with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father's wives. And Joseph brought a bad report of them to their father. Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him. Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. ...

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

John 3:16-17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Luke 6:31 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Matthew 5:17 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Colossians 4:1-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven. Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. ...

Colossians 3:1-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ...

Colossians 2:1-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ. ...

Colossians 1:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, ...

John 17:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

John 14:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 1:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Luke 15:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

Luke 1:37 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Matthew 5:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

46 Bible Verses about Sibling Rivalry

Proverbs 15:1 ESV / 219 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 13:4-6 ESV / 153 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 3:17 ESV / 138 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:20 ESV / 131 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:1 ESV / 130 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:18 ESV / 99 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 12:12 ESV / 86 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:21-22 ESV / 71 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 5:9 ESV / 69 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 5:15 ESV / 69 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 4:8 ESV / 63 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 133:1 ESV / 58 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 54 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 3:15 ESV / 53 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:2-3 ESV / 51 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:1-2 ESV / 37 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 2:17 ESV / 32 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:19 ESV / 30 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 15:31 ESV / 26 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:12 ESV / 23 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16 ESV / 20 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:1-32 ESV / 17 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:6 ESV / 17 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 5:5 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:13 ESV / 15 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 1:15-17 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 21:24 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 30:1-31:55 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 1:4-20 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:1-17:26 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:18 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 37:1-42:38 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 6:31 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:17 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 4:1-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:1-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 2:1-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 1:1-29 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 17:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 1:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 15:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 1:37 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Suggest a Verse

Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)