Love is...
Love suffers long and is kind; 1Corinthians 13:4.
In other bible translations the words "suffers long" may be replaced with the word patient. To suffer through something is to endure it. Or in other words outlast it. We learn to apply patience to the thing we are going through.
When we read on the subject of love as Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, writes to the Corinthians, we learn it's about something we do rather than something we feel. There is so much written on this subject, yet it's one of the hardest things to adapt to, especially in our culture which is, seemingly, filled with an overachievers mentality.
We've got deadlines to reach. We've got families to raise the way we think others will approve of. Everything has to be just right. We try very hard to be accepted by others. All through life peer pressure has a way of modifying our behavior.
Then along comes that son or daughter, or maybe a neighbor that just doesn't fit in. They don't agree with the status quo or having to look or be like everyone else. They just rub you the wrong way.
Maybe it's a rebellious child that is growing up in your home and no matter what you do you can't seem to reach them. You can't bribe them, you can't beat them enough, you just can't do anything to bring them into compliance with the rules of the house.
When Paul wrote to the people of Corinth, he was addressing this very issue. The people were very much into themselves. Everybody wanted things their way. In fact, he called them carnal or like babies in an adult body. They were a very selfish bunch.
In this chapter on love Paul makes a bold statement in verse 8. He proclaims to all who read this that, "Love never fails." No exclamation mark, no greater emphasis on it, just, "Love never fails." He's very confident in what he wrote. In his early years he was a great role model for someone who was feared and unlovely. His final outcome is a true example of this statement.
In my opening sentence I wrote that love is patient (suffers long) and is kind; Just before the words "is kind" is the word "and." And, means you have to put the word or subject before it with the word or subject behind it, in order for the statement to be complete and true. Right after the word "kind" is a semi colon. A semi colon means you don't stop but pause and think about it because there's more that follows.
Paul starts writing his exhortation on love with, "Love is patient and kind;" He concludes with "Love never fails." As we face the pressures of life and our desire is to be successful and not fail, remember, we must add kindness in our tests of endurance. To do otherwise would compromise the outcome of love's success.
Think about it.
In His Love
Tim Maloney