"Love is patient, love is kind" (1 Corinthians 13:4–8) is a favorite Bible verse about love. It is used often in Christian wedding ceremonies. In this famous passage, the Apostle Paul describes 15 characteristics of love to the believers in the church at Corinth. With deep concern for the unity of the church, Paul focuses on various aspects of love between brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. Show
1 Corinthians 13:4-8Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (NIV84) "Love is patient, love is kind" is part of a teaching on spiritual gifts. The purest and highest of all God's gifts of the Spirit is the grace of divine love. All the other gifts of the Spirit that Christians may exercise lack value and meaning if they aren't motivated by love. The Bible teaches that faith, hope, and love come together in a triune and eternal formation of heavenly gifts, "but the greatest of these is love." Spiritual gifts are appropriate for a time and a season, but love lasts forever. Let's take apart the passage, verse by verse, examining each aspect. Love Is PatientThis kind of patient love bears with offenses and is slow to repay or punish those who offend. However, it does not imply indifference, which would ignore an offense. Patient love is often used to describe God (2 Peter 3:9). Love Is KindKindness is similar to patience but refers to how we treat others. It especially implies a love that reacts with goodness towards those who have been ill-treated. This kind of love may take the form of a gentle rebuke when careful discipline is needed. Love Does Not EnvyThis kind of love appreciates and rejoices when others are blessed with good things and does not allow jealousy and resentment to take root. This love is not displeased when others experience success. Love Does Not BoastThe word "boast" here means "bragging without foundation." This kind of love does not exalt itself over others. It recognizes that our achievements are not based on our own abilities or worthiness. Love Is Not ProudThis love is not overly self-confident or insubordinate to God and others. It is not characterized by a sense of self-importance or arrogance. Love Is Not RudeThis kind of love cares about others, their customs, likes, and dislikes. It respects the feelings and concerns of others even when they are different from our own. It would never act dishonorably or disgrace another person. Love Is Not Self-SeekingThis kind of love puts the good of others before our own good. It places God first in our lives, above our own ambitions. This love does not insist on getting its own way. Love Is Not Easily AngeredLike the characteristic of patience, this kind of love does not rush toward anger when others do us wrong. This love does not hold a selfish concern for one's own rights. Love Keeps No Record of WrongsThis kind of love offers forgiveness, even when offenses are repeated many times. It is a love that doesn't keep track of every wrong thing that people do and hold it against them. Love Does Not Delight in Evil But Rejoices With the TruthThis kind of love seeks to avoid involvement in evil and helps others steer clear of evil, too. It rejoices when loved ones live according to truth. Love Always ProtectsThis kind of love will always expose the sin of others in a safe way that won't bring harm, shame, or damage, but will restore and protect. Love Always TrustsThis love gives others the benefit of the doubt, sees the best in others, and trusts in their good intentions. Love Always HopesThis kind of love hopes for the best where others are concerned, knowing God is faithful to complete the work he started in us. This hope filled love encourages others to press forward in the faith. Love Always PerseveresThis kind of love endures even through the most difficult trials. Love Never FailsThis kind of love goes beyond the boundaries of ordinary love. It is eternal, divine, and will never cease. Compare this passage in several popular Bible translations: 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a Source
Cite this Article Format mla apa chicagoYour Citation Fairchild, Mary. "Love Is Patient, Love Is Kind - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/love-is-patient-love-is-kind-bible-verse-701342 (accessed December 6, 2022). What is the message of 1 Corinthians 13 4?Love is kind. Beyond mere politeness, kindness involves acting for the good of others even when it does not benefit ourselves. Love does not envy. Envy was alive and active in the Corinthian church, perhaps including the envy of the spiritual gifts and financial success of others.
What does 1 Corinthians 13 mean?Love never fails: Paul addresses the over-emphasis the Corinthian Christians had on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He shows they should emphasize love more than the gifts, because the gifts are temporary “containers” of God's work; love is the work itself.
What is the meaning of love is patient and kind?'Love Is Patient' Meaning
When Paul writes that “Love is Patient,” he urges Christians to adopt a love that is purposeful, persistent, and perspective-driven. This is why 1 Corinthians 13 is often recited at wedding ceremonies during the exchange of vows. Patient love is persistent love.
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