What does the Bible say about loyalty?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible presents loyalty as steadfast allegiance and faithfulness, with God Himself as the ultimate example of unwavering commitment. Biblical figures like Ruth and Jonathan demonstrate loyalty in relationships, showing courage, sacrifice, and faithfulness even in difficult circumstances. Ruth stayed devoted to her mother-in-law Naomi, embracing her people and her God, while Jonathan protected and supported David despite personal and political risk. While loyalty between humans is admirable, Scripture emphasizes that our highest loyalty must be to God above all else, including family, friends, and even our own lives (Luke 14:26-27). God’s loyalty is shown through His never-ending love, provision of salvation, and faithfulness even when we fail to reciprocate (Romans 5:8; 2 Timothy 2:13). Understanding God’s loyalty helps shape how we show faithfulness to others, guiding our relationships and priorities according to His example. Ultimately, loyalty is less about mere allegiance and more about reflecting God’s steadfast, sacrificial love in our lives.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Bible speaks highly of loyalty between friends. Proverbs 17:17 says: “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
• A Moabite woman, Ruth, was fiercely loyal to her Israelite step-mother, Naomi. Ruth stayed with Naomi even after they were both widowed and supported her even though she could have returned to her home and her own family. In fact, Naomi encouraged her to do so. Even when Naomi told her she had nothing left to give her, Ruth pleaded with her, "Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God" (Ruth 1:16). God later blessed Ruth greatly by providing for her a godly husband, a son, and even putting her in the lineage of Jesus Christ.
• Jonathan, the son of King Saul, is an excellent example of loyalty. From their first meeting, "the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul" (1 Samuel 18:1). Even though his father sought to kill David and although he knew David was anointed to take his place as heir to the throne of Israel, Jonathan loved David and protected him for as long as he lived. When his father ordered the execution of David, Jonathan helped his friend escape. Rather than taking this opportunity to secure his kingship, Jonathan made a covenant with David against David's enemies (1 Samuel 20:16-17).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• While loyalty to people is good, loyalty to our God brings the most fulfilling life to ourselves and those around us. We must prioritize our loyalty, loving God and then others.If we do this, then the other areas of our lives will be in right order (Matthew 22:36-40).
• Jesus asks for our ultimate loyalty, above our spouse, above our children and parents, above our friends, above our country, and above any other cause, including our own lives (Luke 14:26-27).
• While loyalty in friendship is beautiful and inspiring, the most important loyalty in anyone's life is to Christ, the one who loved us so much that He died so that we could have abundant life (John 10:10; 14:6).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Loyalty is giving consistent allegiance or support to a person or institution. While the Bible doesn't talk about loyalty very much by name, the concept of loyalty is demonstrated throughout the Bible. We long to have friends and family who are on our side no matter what we do because we were created to be in relationship with a God who does just that. Our desire for undying loyalty stems from our need to be in a relationship with the God who loves and is loyal to us. God is the basis for our understanding of loyalty. Without His initial, unfailing commitment to love us, we wouldn't understand how to be loyal to others. God pledges His love to all people, even those living in rebellion to Him (Romans 5:8). We see this primarily in the fact that He made the way of salvation available and extends the offer to all (2 Peter 3:9; Acts 4:12; Galatians 3:24-229). Anyone who puts his or her faith in Jesus Christ will be saved (John 3:16-18; Ephesians 2:8-9). God is "the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations" (Deuteronomy 7:9). God is loyal to us even when we are not loyal to Him, and His loyalty is inherent in His character (2 Timothy 2:13). Nothing that a believer does, nor anything that is done to us, can cause God to stop loving us (Romans 8:35-39). He always loves us, He is always with us, and He is always for us, which causes us to ask, "if God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31).

UNDERSTAND

• Though the Bible rarely mentions the word loyalty, it presents biblical figures and passages that point to that trait.
• The Lord is the utmost example of loyalty.
• God’s loyalty to us in making a way for our salvation should inspire us to prioritize Him above all other relationships in our lives.

REFLECT

• What impact does God’s loyalty have on your relationship with Him?
• What are some ways that you prioritize God above other relationships in your life?
• How do biblical examples of loyalty influence the way you live it out?

ENGAGE

• How does the biblical idea of loyalty compare/contrast with the world’s?
• What does God’s loyalty toward us reveal about His love for us?
• How does the world misplace its loyalty, and how can we reflect godly loyalty?