1 Corinthians 13: Qualities of Love

In 1 Corinthians 13.1–3, Paul looked at love primarily from a negative perspective, but with v 4, he turns to the positive qualities of love. Herewith a paraphrase of vv 4–7.

Love is slow to be roused to resentment. It patiently bears with provocation and isn’t quick to assert its right to resentment. Love is kind, which, per the meaning of the Greek word, means useful. Love doesn’t envy/resent another’s good fortune. To envy leads to malice, ill-will, or worse. There are insects that insert their eggs into the bodies of others. At first, the insertion is comparatively harmless, but the inserted life begins to develop, feeds on the body of the host, and strengthens itself to the destruction of the host. Envy is like that; the only thing that can kill envy is love.

Love doesn’t boast about itself, is not consumed with itself, nor is disinclined to love other people. Christians don’t act like big-shots. Love comes with a refined character; it isn’t vulgar. Love fits a man to be good company. Love is courteous. Love seeks to enrich others rather than self, and truly believes it is more blessed to give than to receive. Love doesn’t wound, cause distress, or cause embarrassment or discomfort. It is adverse to unseemly contentions (such as the strifes that disturbed the Corinthian church). Loves doesn’t keep a record of wrongs, grievances, or wounds received from others. Love forgets when it forgives. Love is never glad when others go wrong; it finds no joy in a moral weakness or secret sin. It isn’t eager to spread an evil report; glories not in wrong, but rejoices in truth. When love prevails, others share in the gladness of its victory. ~Kenny Chumbley