Patriotism is a profound feeling of love for one’s country in the hearts of millions across the globe. The Bible, being a sacred book filled with timeless wisdom and guidance, presents a refined perspective on this sentiment. Rather than promoting excessive nationalism, it extols the virtues of love, respect, humility, and unity, serving as the grounds for balanced patriotism.
What does the Bible convey about loving your nation?
While the Bible does not directly address the concept of patriotism, it outlines the principle of love, which forms the crux of patriotism. By mandating its followers to love their neighbors as they love themselves, the Bible indirectly nudifies to extend this love to the community and the nation at large. With numerous verses in both Old and New Testament, the Bible encourages its followers to express love through actions of kindness, mercy, and respect towards others, effectively indicating the importance of positive, caring patriotism.
Who are the models of patriotism in the Bible?
The Bible introduces several characters who embodied the idea of patriotism. From Moses leading his people out of Egypt to Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, the commitment and love for their people, their homeland, is evident. Queen Esther, who risked her life to ensure the safety of her people, is another distinctive model of biblical patriotism. These brave figures from the Bible showcase the importance of duty, responsibility, and love for one’s country and people.
Where in the Bible is the significance of citizenship highlighted?
Certain passages in the Bible touch on the concept of citizenship, which is a crucial aspect of patriotism. The Apostle Paul, despite being persecuted, proclaimed his Roman citizenship as a protective shield. This signifies the importance of embracing one’s national heritage and identity. However, the Bible also encourages maintaining a balancing act, acknowledging earthly citizenship while understanding the greater calling of heavenly citizenship.
Why is the balance of patriotism important according to the Bible?
While the Bible mentions instances of loving one’s country and people, it also highlights the importance of balanced patriotism. Too much patriotism could lead towards arrogance and exclusion, which stands contrary to the Bible’s teachings of empathy, humility, and universal belongingness. The Bible encourages its followers to respect all creations of God and to maintain peace, promoting a harmonious co-existence that goes beyond borders and nations.
When does patriotism turn into idolatry according to the Bible?
While patriotism is a commendable quality, unchecked or extreme patriotism can tread into dangerous territories of idolatry, according to the Bible. It suggests that when love for the country supersedes love for God and humanity, it transforms into a form of idolatry. The allegiance to one’s country should not surpass the duty and love towards God and His creations. Therefore, the Bible urges its followers to keep their devotion to their country in perspective with their spiritual duties and larger humanistic roles.
Below is the full list of bible verses on patriotism (King James Version – KJV). The list is ranked in order of popularity and we hope you find the inspiration you need.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Patriotism
Psalm 33:12-22
“12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.13 The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.14 From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.15 He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.16 There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.17 An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.”
Philippians 3:20
“20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”
Related Themes: Glorification Hope Strangers Afterlife Politics
1 Timothy 2:1-3
“1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;”
Hebrews 11:13-16
“13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”
John 15:13
“13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Related Themes: Love Friendship Homelessness Life Strangers
John 18:36
“36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”
Related Themes: Arguing Politics Fighting Homelessness
Acts 5:29
“29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Related Themes: Respecting Your Parents Obedience Morality Pleasing God Politics
2 Chronicles 7:14
“14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Related Themes: Repentance Humility Healing Prayer Revival
Psalm 122:7
“7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.”
Related Themes: Security
Matthew 22:37-40
“37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.38 This is the first and great commandment.39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
2 Corinthians 3:17
“17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Freedom Independence
Matthew 24:6
“6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.”
Luke 13:34
“34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!”
Psalm 51:18
“18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.”
Colossians 2:8
“8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.”
Related Themes: Education Greatness Discernment Learning Wisdom
Proverbs 25:19-23
“19 Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.21 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.”
Related Themes: Loyalty Hypocrisy Friendship
Jeremiah 4:14
“14 O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?”
Related Themes: Purity
Hebrews 4:16
“16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Related Themes: Grace Self Confidence Mercy New Life Quitting
Proverbs 24:21
“21 My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:”
Revelation 7:9-17
“9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;10 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God,12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.15 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
Psalm 65:4-13
“4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.5 By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea:6 Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power:7 Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.9 Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.10 Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof.11 Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.12 They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side.13 The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.”
Mark 12:17
“17 And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.”
Luke 19:41
“41 And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,”
Related Themes: Tears
Nehemiah 1:4
“4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,”
Related Themes: Fasting
Romans 2:11
“11 For there is no respect of persons with God.”
Related Themes: Equality Discrimination Partiality Favoritism Fairness
Joshua 5:6
“6 For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness, till all the people that were men of war, which came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: unto whom the LORD sware that he would not shew them the land, which the LORD sware unto their fathers that he would give us, a land that floweth with milk and honey.”
Related Themes: Obedience
Proverbs 29:8
“8 Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.”
Related Themes: Anger
Matthew 13:21-22
“21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”
Related Themes: Persecution
1 Timothy 2:3-4
“3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
Titus 3:1
“1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,”
