Love Described 1 Corinthians 13:4

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth having “spiritual gifts” without having “charity” does not “profit”, and in chapter thirteen and verse four of First Corinthians, Paul began to describe to the Corinthian church about the characteristics of “charity”, where we read:

Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up,

The verse begins, “Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not;”. Paul began with the words, “Charity” which means “affection, good will, love, benevolence and unconditional brotherly love” “suffers long” which means “of long spirit, not to lose heart, persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes, troubles, injuries of others, mild and slow in avenging, long-suffering and slow to anger and punish”, “and is kind” which means “shows one's self mild and benevolent”; “charity” or “affection, good will, love, benevolence and unconditional brotherly love” “envies not” which means “does not burn with zeal, hatred, anger or desire earnestly, pursue and strive”. Paul added two other qualities of “agape” love which are “perseverance” and lack of “striving”.

The verse continues, “... charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up,” Paul added the words, “charity” which means “affection, good will, love, benevolence and unconditional brotherly love” “vaunts not itself” or “does not self display while employing rhetorical embellishments in extolling one's self excessively” “is not puffed up” or “is not inflated, blown up, caused to swell, made proud and to bear one's self loftily”. Paul said “charity” does not “brag upon itself” nor is it “inflated and boastful”.

When we consider these words from Paul, we see how being “kind, not envying, not boasting or bragging” are more of the characteristics of this “God” kind of “love” called “charity” or “agape”. Jesus Christ fulfills all these traits, and He desires that those within His church do the same. Perhaps we should take inventory and see how we measure up to these qualities by inserting our names in the place of “charity”. After we see our shortcomings, let us insert Jesus' name and discover that He truly is and embodies “love”. May we see Jesus as our standard and be willing to allow Him to work His love within us.

Next time Paul shares with the church members concerning how “love” does not, “behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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