What Does Deuteronomy 6:5 Say?
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
— Deuteronomy 6:5, ESV
This verse is one of the most well-known commands in the Bible. It calls for total love and devotion to God—not just with feelings, but with every part of who we are.
The Heart, Soul, and Might
Heart
In the Bible, the "heart" isn't just about emotion. It’s where we make decisions and hold our deepest thoughts. To love God with all our heart means choosing Him over anything else. It means putting Him first, even when life is hard.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
— Proverbs 3:5
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”
— Psalm 51:10
Soul
Our soul is the part of us that lives forever. It's our inner life—our will, desire, and being. Loving God with all our soul means being loyal to Him, even when we feel pulled in other directions.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!”
— Psalm 103:1
“My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”
— Psalm 84:2
Might
“Might” is about strength, resources, and effort. In Hebrew, the word used here, me’od, can also mean “very” or “muchness.” It tells us to love God with everything we have—our energy, money, time, and talents.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
— Colossians 3:23
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
— 1 Corinthians 10:31
Why This Verse Matters
Deuteronomy 6:5 is part of the Shema, a daily Jewish prayer. It is at the heart of the Old Testament and is echoed by Jesus in the New Testament.
“And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.’”
— Matthew 22:37–38
This shows that the greatest command hasn't changed. God's desire is still for a loving relationship, not just outward actions.
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”
— 1 John 5:3
Table: Key Elements of Loving God
| Part | Meaning | How to Apply It Today | Supporting Verses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart | Choices, thoughts, emotions | Make decisions that honor God | Proverbs 3:5, Psalm 51:10 |
| Soul | Inner being, desires | Stay faithful in your beliefs and worship | Psalm 103:1, Psalm 84:2 |
| Might | Strength, energy, resources | Use time, money, and skills to serve Him | Colossians 3:23, 1 Corinthians 10:31 |
How to Live Out Deuteronomy 6:5
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Start each day with God’s Word – Let His truth shape your thoughts.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
— Psalm 119:105 -
Pray with purpose – Not just for needs, but to express love and thanks.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
— Philippians 4:6 -
Serve others – Loving God shows up in how we treat people.
“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”
— Matthew 25:40 -
Keep God first – Avoid idols like success, popularity, or possessions.
“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”
— 1 John 5:21 -
Teach it to your children – As Deuteronomy 6:7 says:
“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”
— Deuteronomy 6:7
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
— Matthew 6:33
A Command That Leads to Life
Deuteronomy 6:5 isn't just a rule—it’s a call to life. Loving God fully brings peace, purpose, and joy. It's not a feeling we chase but a choice we make every day.
“We love because he first loved us.”
— 1 John 4:19
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
— John 14:15
