Love is patient
“4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13 arises in the context of the divisions and issues around spiritual gifts in the Corinthian church. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul explains that the various spiritual gifts are meant to build up the church, not to establish a spiritual hierarchy or demean others. He then introduces the "most excellent way" by presenting the famous passage on love in 1 Corinthians 13.
Without love, spiritual gifts are meaningless. Paul warns that even if one speaks in tongues, prophesies, or has faith that can move mountains, or even gives away all their possessions or sacrifices their life, if done without love, it is of no value. Just as the Pharisee boasted of his charity in the temple, all acts done without love are merely expressions of self-righteousness.
Love is revealed not in our interactions with those we are close to or naturally get along with, but with those who are difficult to love, even those who irritate or challenge us. Love shows itself in how we respond when things don't go our way—this is the hallmark of Christian maturity.
As we move beyond childish faith toward mature belief, love must be central. This love is not just a passing emotion but a committed love that manifests consistently in our daily lives. And this life of love should first be cultivated in the home and in the church. The church becomes the place where we listen to one another, consider others, and practice love in action.
We are called by God’s love, and through this love, we can live lives of love. May you become a mature Christian who practices this love in your daily life.
Prayer: Lord, we recognize our weak, wounded, selfish, and insufficient love. We seek Your help. We long for You, who brings healing and restoration. Restore Your image in us and transform us into people who can love, who are mature in love. Amen.
(Note: This summary was created based on an AI draft.)
Devotional content is available on the Our Daily Bread website.