Lesallan – October 22, 2023
What does 1 Corinthians say love is?
One of the most famous passages in the Bible about love is found in 1 Corinthians 13, where the apostle Paul describes the qualities and characteristics of love. According to Paul, love is:
- Patient: It endures hardship, suffering, and delay without complaint or resentment.
- Kind: It acts with generosity, compassion, and benevolence towards others.
- Not envious: It does not covet what others have or resent their success or happiness.
- Not boastful: It does not brag about its own achievements or abilities or belittle others.
- Not proud: It does not have an inflated sense of self-importance or superiority over others.
- Not rude: It does not behave impolite, disrespectful, or offensive towards others.
- Not self-seeking: It does not pursue its own interests or desires at the expense of others.
- Not easily angered: It does not lose its temper or become hostile or violent when provoked or offended.
- Not keeping record of wrongs: It does not hold grudges or seek revenge for past injuries or offenses.
- Not delighting in evil: It does not take pleasure in sin, injustice, or harm done to others.
- Rejoicing in the truth: It takes pleasure in honesty, integrity, and righteousness.
- Always protecting: It defends, supports, and safeguards others from harm or danger.
- Always trusting: It believes in the goodness, reliability, and faithfulness of others.
- Always hoping: It expects and anticipates the best possible outcome for others and for the future.
- Always persevering: It persists and endures through difficulties, challenges, and obstacles.
Paul concludes his description of love by saying that love never fails. This means that love is eternal, unchanging, and indestructible. Love is a Christian’s greatest virtue and the most excellent way of life. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:13 (KJV), “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Blessings In Christ,
Lesallan
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