Love According to 1 Corinthians 13

There is a lot of talk about what love really is. Many books have been written about the subject and many discussions have been convened on this one subject. It goes without saying that love is a popular subject and for many a very passionate one. In fact, some will give their lives for love. Some lose their minds and blame it on love, while others lose their way in what has been proven to be an endless search for this elusive air - love.

Love in itself is a multi-faceted subject and I will not attempt to cover every facet. Also, there are different kinds of love. Again, I will not attempt to cover every kind of love, but the source that I will use to define love uses one stone to kill all the love birds, if you will. In other words, the qualities of love presented can be applied to all kinds of love.

Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, Chapter 13, does a superb job of clarifying love. The text does not address romantic love, but instead expounds "Godly" love, or simply the kind of love that each person should demonstrate for everyone. However, although romantic love is not directly addressed the principles of love given are ideal for any relationship, even that kind shared by spouses or couples in general.

What is particularly interesting about 1 Corinthians 13 is that it begins by blasting some common misconceptions about what love is. Have you ever heard by way of the radio, television or print media that some philanthropist has made a substantial donation to a charity or to some family or group of needy people? Do you remember what your initial reaction was? My general reaction is "Wow! What a generous and loving person?" Yet, did you know that someone can give away a lot without really loving the recipient/s? Well, according the source for this article, one can give all he or she possesses to care for the less fortunate without really having love. Additionally, our source states that one can even sacrifice his or her life for a cause and does not have love. I find that quite interesting. However, the longer I live the more I realize that there are many times that one does "big" things only to be recognized. That being the case, the motivation for doing the "big" is borne out of selfishness and not love. According to 1 Corinthians 13, love is not selfish.

So what does the text say is love? Surprisingly, it is quite simple, yet powerful. Here it is: Love is kind, is not boastful and is not rude. What do you think? I see how this simple, but pointed definition can be applied to every kind of love. Do you? Every relationship benefits from kind words and actions. Similarly, all relationships do better without the onslaught of one's ego and the crippling blow of insolence.

When I think of this explanation of love I begin to see many possibilities. If we can get these love qualities into every arena in our society, what a difference this would make in how we care for families, how we run our schools, how we conduct politics and how we treat one another!

1 Corinthians 13 goes on to say a little more of what love is and I will close with this: Love is unselfish, is not easily angered, endures all things and believes all. Finally, love never fails.

Source:

The Bible - 1 Corinthians 13