Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 First Corinthians Chapter Thirteen is often spoken of by some as the “Love Chapter.” The King James Version uses the term “charity” for love. Really the chapter is in the middle of a three chapter discussion on understanding miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit: “Now
concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant” (1 Corinthians 12:1). However, chapter thirteen does have a great discussion on loving one another in verses 4 through 8. Notice what charity does: 1. Love suffers long (verse 4). The original word for suffer means to “patiently endure.” No matter who we are trying to love: wife, children, parents, neighbors, brethren in Christ; it
takes patience. All of us have those little traits that grate on others. Many of us are just plain hard to love. It takes a patient love to endure some friendships and some marriages. 2. Love envieth not (verse 4). The original word for envieth means to “be jealous over.” We call “jealousy” the “green eyed monster.” Most all know how dangerous envy is, and the problems it can bring. It can easily destroy all ties of fellowship and friendship. Genuine love will not allow envy. 3. Love vaunteth not itself (verse 4). The original word for vaunteth means “to boast of self.” Hardly anyone is less thought of than a braggart, one who is always “tooting his own horn.” Most people get away from such a
person as quickly as possible. The only one who loves a braggart is the braggart himself. Love requires that we not be so self centered. 4. Love is not puffed up (verse 4). The original  word for puffed up means “to be proud orhaughty.” This is different from boasting. “Haughty” carries with it a  feeling of arrogant superiority. Granted some are superior to others in education, talents, etc; but love would not allow one to “rub it in.” 5. Love does not behave unseemly (verse 5). The original  word for behave unseemly means “to behave in an unbecoming manner.” “Behaving  unbecomingly” means “not in accord with standards.” Even society demands certain standards of behavior. On the other hand  there are those who delight in overstepping the bounds. Love requires appropriate or suitable behavior within the framework of our society. 6. Love seeks not her own (verse 5). “Seeks not own” is the literal translation meaning one who is selfish, looks only after self. It is the Me, Myself, and I complex. Such a person is never interested in the needs of others. Genuine
love will not allow such selfishness 7. Love is not easily provoked (verse 5). This means that one is “not easily stirred, is not easily incited to anger.” Anger can be a product of love; but, for the most part, it is the very opposite of love. It splits friendships, it destroys marriages, it damns relationships. If we love, we will learn to control our anger. 8. Love thinks no evil (verse 5). The word thinketh means “supposes or concludes.” The word evil in this case refers to “that which is injurious or harmful.” This literally means to wish injury upon someone else, whether physical injury or in the form of loss. This comes generally from envy. Love is not injurious; love looks for the best in another. 9. Love rejoices not in iniquity (verse 6). Rejoices means “to be happy with.” Iniquity here means “that which is unrighteous or wrong” (literally: “is not happy with sin”). Sin destroys
(Romans 6:23). To love another is NOT to love their sinful ways. 10. Love rejoices in truth (verse 6). Specifically God’s truth is “all righteous.” This is the opposite of point 9. Love seeks God’s righteous
ways and seeks to make righteous judgments about others. 11. Love beareth all things (verse 7). Literally “bears all.” All in this case means “whatsoever;” meaning to stand up under all kinds
of pressure. Some people, even without meaning to harm, bring certain pressures upon us. Unwanted pressure destroys friendships, relationships, fellowship. Real love will not allow us to give up. 12. Love believes all things (verse 7). Literally “trusts thoroughly.” This is not a reference
to believing any and every doctrine. Trust in relationships is a key factor. Without trust there is no real relationship. Trusting thoroughly means to believe there is good in everyone. 13. Love hopes all things (verse 7). Literally “expects all.” Love causes one to expect the best from everyone. 14. Love endures all (verse 7). Literally “have fortitude.” Fortitude means “strength of mind that allows one to endure pain or adversity with courage.” Pain and adversity sometimes come with loving someone. We sometimes hurt one another. Love gives strength to endure, to stand up under such trials.
15. Finally, love never fails (verse 8). It will only be through a love as described by Paul that marriages, relations, friendships, and fellowship can last through the many trials that we present each other because of our differences in education, talents, abilities, habits, age, etc. Paul said: “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these ischarity” (1 Corinthians 3:13).
—John D. Cotham
Shady Valley, TN
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