1 Corinthians 13:4 – Love as a Person…

Love is patient, is kind…

The description of love in 1 Corinthians 13 is famous and is often quoted as a moral appeal to how man would behave. This is unfortunate, because the superlative way that Paul wants to show (12:31) remains out of sight. The description of love is not intended to appeal to human potential but to point out who GOD is! Love is presented here as a person, purely because love is a Person! “GOD is love,” we read in 1 John 4: 8 and 16.

Love is patient or long-courageous: GOD has the time and therefore gives time and opportunity. And the GOD who is love is also “kind,” that is, pleasant, virtuous, and capable. In Romans 2: 4, both attributes (patience and kindness) are also mentioned as attributes of GOD’s love.

If we want to walk in love as Paul praises about, it is not about us putting our best foot forward to behave in high quality. Because then people are still at the center. It is first and foremost about getting to know GOD who is love. And to learn to live from that Source!

Delen: