1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (WEL) Love is longsuffering and kind; love is not envious; love doesn’t brag about itself, is not haughty. 5 It doesn’t behave improperly, is not self-seeking; love isn’t easily aggravated, doesn’t keep a list of wrongs. 6 It doesn’t rejoice in injustice, but rejoices with the truth; 7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, calmly endures all things. 8 Love never ends.
There are 16 descriptions of love.
Love refers to God’s love; this is how He loves. See Romans 5:8, Isaiah 45:22 (all nations plus a genuine offer to all; look refers to faith (Numbers 21:9), and 1 Timothy 2:4).
The Greek word for love is G26 ἀγάπη agápē, which means a giving, kind, compassionate love rather than a friendship, family, or pleasurable love. It is the love of choice and dedication. The descriptors here help define agape love. Only God’s love has these descriptors perfectly.
The 16 descriptors:
Love:
Is Longsuffering: suffering with endurance and hope (expectation)
Is Kind: gentle and not wanting to hurt or abuse
Is Not envious: accepts others’ gifts, talents, and recognition without feeling slighted and thinking you are greater.
Doesn’t brag about itself: Haman is an example (Esther 3:1-5). Sometimes people go on and on about their greatness. One should beware of Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:25 and Daniel 4:30-33).
Is Not haughty: this is the attitude of the sin nature by thinking you are better than all or at least better than most. Compare Acts 12:21-23 and Matthew 23:12.
Doesn’t behave improperly: rude and crude words and deeds towards others; not concerned with their feelings or opinions. Pride typically results in improper behavior.
Is not self-seeking: pushing aside others’ opinions, needs, and desires. It is, “My way, or no way.”
Is not easily aggravated: quick-tempered before even considering another’s opinions and actions, not being easily provoked, and not quickly seeking revenge. Compare Proverbs 14:29 and Psalm 116:11.
Doesn’t keep a list of wrongs: doesn’t keep bringing up past failures, actions, words, etc. Love looks at the present state of a person rather than the past/former person.
Doesn’t rejoice in injustice: doesn’t wish for others to be punished for what they did not do and fail to do.
Rejoices with the truth: rejoices in reality, truth, even if confronted with their own sin and failures.
Bears all things: remains loyal in many situations, not seeking revenge when it is not called for.
Believes all things: the general attitude of trusting others. This must be done in wisdom, lest we be taken advantage of.
Hopes all things: has a positive attitude and expectation.
Calmly endures all things: is calm when another is suffering, ranting in sorrow, or facing events beyond one’s control. Sometimes people need to vent. This would be a time to show love by actively listening.
Never ends: remains even after the death of a loved one.
We learn:
- God’s view of love.
- A checklist to evaluate ourselves.
Questions:
- Do we love as we ought to?
- Do you pray that God will grow your love into what God wants you to have?