I originally began this post as a collection of Bible verses about fathers, but as I was searching scripture, my heart kept pulling me toward the verses about God’s love for us. His role as our Heavenly Father is seen down through the centuries and it continues with you and me. Come with me, my friend, and let’s explore Bible verses about Father’s love because it is only in Him that you find what you are seeking for.

“I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Corinthians 6:18)

I remember being about four years old, we were living in California and my dad was sound asleep on the couch. I squeezed in next to him, put my head on his chest, and fell asleep myself listening to the comforting beating of his heart.

Fast forward 12 years and you find a frustrated and angry teen. Like everyone, my dad had made some poor choices and I resented him for them. My young mind was just coming to realize that we all make mistakes and no one is perfect. It took time to realize that imperfection has nothing to do with his love for me and that God’s unconditional love was calling us both.

What brought you here to these Bible verses about fathers? Are you content with your earthly father and want a verse to write in a card or are you seeking your Heavenly Father? Whichever the case, I pray these Bible verses about fathers touch your heart.

What does the Bible Say about Fathers?

Fathers come in all shapes and sizes. Some of us have great relationships with the one who raised us. Our childhood is full of fond memories and funny stories. Many of us have a gap in our childhood, an empty space where a father should have been, but wasn’t. Some of us had abusive fathers and the idea of a father’s love is foreign.

No matter where you are on this topic, these father Bible verses will teach, encourage, and hopefully grow your faith.

The Bible has a lot to say about fathers.

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
So are the children of one’s youth.
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
They shall not be ashamed,
But shall speak with their enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127:3-5)

A father is blessed as children are a gift from the Lord.

Bible Verses about a Father’s Love

I don’t think we can have a round up of Bible verses about a father’s love without discussing that love is as much of an action as it is an emotion. A father shows his love by participating in the lives of his children.

He plays an active role in teaching them right from wrong, encouraging them to grow in their faith by showing them grace and pointing the way to Christ.

A father teaches his children by example. This doesn’t mean he is perfect, but he shows that God is and that true love comes from God alone.

Here are a few Bible verses about father’s love with the idea of this important role.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Proverbs 22:6

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

Ephesians 6:4

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Proverbs 20:7

The righteous man walks in his integrity;
His children are blessed after him.

It is not enough to be a silent bystander, only supplying the physical needs of your children. It is the responsibility of the father (and mother) to teach their children God’s truth. Of course, we all make our own decisions and choose our own path, but that path must begin with God’s teachings.

It is the father who sets the standard, the example.

Proverbs 24:15

 Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

One may not think of this well-known scripture as a father Bible verse, but I do! Are we ready to be like Joshua and make this declaration?

Check out these great family devotional posts!

• Fruit of the Spirit for Kids
• Inspirational Bible Verses for Kids about God’s Love
• Bible Verses about the Power of Words: Hands-on Devotions for Kids
• Fun Devotions for Youth: Learning God’s Word Hands-On

What Does the Bible Say about a Father’s Love

One of the most beautiful examples of a father’s love in scripture is the parable Jesus tells of the prodigal son.

A father has two sons. The younger is quite bold and a bit self-centered and asks his father for his inheritance. Kinda gutsy if you ask me, requesting an inheritance before your father has passed. Because the father loves his son and wants to make him happy, he gives him the inheritance.

With a complete lack of appreciation and respect, the man goes off to a distant land and enjoys his new found wealth and freedom. He spends his money foolishly, engaging in all kinds of sinful activities.

As we all know, this kind of behavior always turns to bite us in the bum and he soon runs out of money. A famine comes upon the land and the man cannot get a job. He has no home, no money, and no food. Finding himself in a desperate situation, when the only job he can get is feeding pigs (remember, pigs were forbidden to eat for Jews so they did not raise them) for a farmer and the pig food looks appetizing to him.

He regrets his behavior and in desperation decides to go back to his home and ask his father to employ him as a servant. Having been humbled by his experiences, the young man heads home.

Now, we don’t know exactly what the father had been thinking all this time, but he was clearly worried about his son. As soon as the young man came into view, the father goes running out to meet him. No judgement, no criticizing, only acceptance.

The young man apologizes and asks to be a servant and the father is overjoyed, bringing him into the house, ordering the servants to create an extravagant meal.

In our father’s love we find acceptance, forgiveness, and salvation.

If you are ever in doubt, the climax of the story is one of the most perfect fathers Bible verses you will find. Write it down and set it beside your bed to remind yourself of the beautiful love your Heavenly Father has for you.

And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. (Luke 15:20)

Our Heavenly Father: Bible Verses about Father’s Love

A few things stand out when studying our father’s love for us. God’s love is far greater than anything our earthly father can provide and contain some incredible characteristics. This is the meat and potatoes of this round up of fathers Bible verses.

• Our Father’s love provides safety. You are my hiding place. You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. (Psalm 32:7)
• Our Father’s love is full of compassion. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; (Psalm 103:13 NIV)
• Our Father’s love is a guiding light. The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place. (Deuteronomy 1:30-31)
• Our Father’s love is not without discipline. If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?  For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:7-11)
• Our Father’s love is full of compassion and mercy. Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
• Our Father’s love is everlasting. The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. (Jeremiah 31:3)

The Significance of Abba Father

Only three times in scripture do we find the term “Abba Father”. With all of the names for God, why is it only used once by Jesus and twice by Paul?

First, let’s go over what Abba means. Most of us have been taught that Abba is equivalent with the English “Daddy”, but Him Publication goes into a different detail which made so much sense to me that I had to share it!

He tells a story about a father instructing his son on his first visit to Israel. The father prompted the young boy to reply to his instruction with Abba.

While we know the intimacy implied with the word Abba, this was the first I had understood it to be linked to obedience. Jesus usually refers to God as his father which comes from the Greek with the exception of when He is praying in the Garden of Gethsemene.

He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him.  And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” (Mark 14:35-36)

Jesus is being obedient to his father. Not only is he crying out to Him in an intimate way, but he is also expressing his willingness to do His father’s will.

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Romans 8:15-17)

We see this same concept in the above verse. The law was to be strictly observed with no grace. Paul is explaining that through our obedience to Christ and our reconciliation to the Father through the blood of His son, we have an intimate connection to Him. We see the same concept in this next verse.

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. (Galatians 4:6-7)

One Last Word on Bible Verses about Father’s Love

I hope you have found what you are looking for with this collection of Bible verses about father’s love. Whether you are studying for your own relationship with your Heavenly Father or seeking out scriptures related to earthly fatherhood, I pray you have been encouraged in the Father’s love.

Kingdom Bloggers has Father’s Day scriptures that are perfect to write in cards or to study during the month of June.

Which verse spoke to you? Have you ever heard that Abba has an inclination toward obedience? I found it fascinating. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

And if mothers are next on your list, check out these posts!

25 Inspiring Mother’s Day Messages for Family and Friends

37 Experience Gifts for Moms for Every Interest and Style