Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV)
Today’s verses describe the characteristics of love. In writing to the church at Corinth, Paul tells what love is and what it is not with these four simple verses. Often quoted at weddings, these verses provide an essential listing of what it takes to keep marriages on track and all other meaningful relationships.
The key theme in these verses is selflessness, serving others before self. Is it challenging to apply these verses in our relationships consistently? Most definitely! But in applying these verses, we enable our relationships to grow and prosper.
These verses are so important. Let's review them again: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
"Do not waste time bothering whether you "love" your neighbor; act as if you did." - C.S. Lewis