It Does Not Envy

The word translated as envy in this text is the Greek word “zēloō” which can mean to burn with a zealous sort of passion or lust. The intesting thing about this word is that it can be either good or bad, depending upon the object of your affection. In fact, this word is used in a positive way in both the chapters immediately before and after 13.

1 Corinthians 12:31 “But [zēloō] (covet earnestly) the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”

1 Corinthians 14:1 “Follow after charity, and [zēloō] (desire) spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”

1 Corinthians 14:31 “Wherefore, brethren, [zēloō] (covet) to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.”

These verses encourage the very thing that chapter 13 says not to do. This seems odd at first until you realize that the only time this word is ever used positively is when it is referring to spiritual gifts or the work of God.

So, it is my belief that this scripture is not saying that we are to never passionately desire something. Obviously, we are all to crave the things of the Lord. Perhaps the thing that we are to take from this passage is the understanding that God has given us everything that have; therefore, to obsess about the things that we don’t have is to not appreciate the things that God has given us.

Love is Kind

The word translated as “kind” in this text is the Greek word “chrēsteuomai,” which means “to show one’s self mild, to be kind, use kindness.” The odd thing about this word is that this is the only time that it is used in the entire Bible. Every other time that you see the word kind or kindness, it stems from a word that refers to an act of kindness, doing something good, or showing integrity. When it says in first Corinthians that “love is kind,” it is not saying that love means doing good things for everybody. Sure, an act of generosity is a way of showing kindness, but the kindness mentioned here is a behavioral kindness.

“To show one’s self mild”

In Proverbs 15:1 it states, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” I believe that this is the type of kindness that we are to adopt. As Christians, we are to be meek, mild, and humble when it comes to the way we treat others. Have you ever known someone who would purposefully say or do things with the intention to rile you up? When you react poorly, they are pleased because they know that, as Christians, we are suppose to be better than that. If they know this, why don’t we?

So, the next time you feel like acting up when someone offends you or the cashier forgets to discount your item, stop to think about what you are doing. Remember that love is kind, God is kind, and therefore we ought to be as well.

“To show one’s self mild” – It’s the 1 Corinthians 13 way.

Love is Patient

The word translated as patient is the Greek word “makrothymeō,” which literally means “to be of long spirit, not to lose heart.” This is the patience that relates to handling difficult people and/or situations. It’s the patience that kept Job strong. It’s the patience that God has for us, whereby he doesn’t smite us for our sin and stupidity.

It is this same word for patience that is used in Matthew 18 where the servant begs his master to be patient with him and his debt. The servant then goes and shows no patience or mercy to the man who owes him money.

We are called to have the same patience that God has. This means that we give people second…third…and more chances. Notice that in the parable mentioned above, Jesus told it right after Peter asked him how many times he was supposed to forgive his brother. That is what this form of patience is all about. It’s about constant forgiveness and not seeking revenge or justice when someone sins against you.

Think about the ways that God has been patient with you. Think about the sins that he has forgiven over and over again. Now think about the “difficult” people in your life. Have you been showing them the same kind of patience that God has shown you?

Think about what all I have just told you and reread Matthew 18:21-35.

1 Corinthians 13

Often known as the “Love Chapter,” this one section of scripture is quoted mainly in referrence to spousal relationships. I find this to be a great injustice, because the truth of this chapter can be applied in all aspects of life, not just in romantic situations. The word that is used in this chapter is the Greek word “agape,” which is translated as ”brotherly love” rather than romantic love. In the King James Version, the word in this chapter is interpretted as “Charity” rather than love. This is probably a much more suitable translation and would help to avoid the common misinterpretation of the chapter. Of course, the principles of love that are taught do still apply to spousal relationships, but they also apply to the way that we are to treat family, friends, and even strangers or enemies.

In 1 John chapter 4, we are told that “God is love.” This word for love is the same Greek word “agape.” It is easy for us to look at 1 Corinthians 13 as way of testing love. Countless people have put their relationships to the 1 Corinthians 13 “Love Test” to see how they stack. That is not the intention of this chapter. We are not meant to use the “Love Chapter” to test our love. It is through this chapter that we can learn to develop our love.

God is love. The characteristics of love in the thirteenth chapter of the book of 1 Corinthians are in actuality, the very characteristics of God. It should be our goal as believer to become more Christlike. With that said, 1 Corinthians 13 is our roadmap, our guideline, our “To Do” list for life. Here’s something that can be interesting to do if you have never done it before. (And even if you have, now would be a good time to do it again.) We know that God is agape love. So, open your Bible to this chapter and read it out loud, but everywhere where you see the word “love” and “charity” replace with “God,” and replace “it” with “He.” This should give you some insight into the personality of God that perhaps you have never seen before. Now before you close your Bible, read it one more time, but this time replace “Love is” or “It is” with “I need to be.” It is our goal to be more Christlike. After reading it this way, stop to think what you have just said and start thinking of ways that you can begin to improve.

Mini-Study on 1 Corinthians 13

After writing some general thoughts on 1 Corinthians 13, I have decided to make an indepth piece by piece study of the subject of agape love. I will be looking at each characteristic of love, the greek definition of each word, and how we can apply it to our daily lives. As of right now, I have finished looking at patience and kindness, but I still have a ways to go before I will be anywhere close to be doing done. I’m learning a lot along the way and I hope that you do as well.

The “Love Chapter”

So, last night as I lied awake in bed I couldn’t stop thinking. For some reason, 1 Corinthians 13 crossed my mind and I felt as though, I had recieved a sort of revelation on it. Do you realize that the chapter before and after have nothing to do with romance what so ever? So, why do we always interpret this chapter to be about romance? The love that Paul is talking about is not the love that should be found between spouses. It is the love that each of us are to have towards everyone. So, I have written a bit about it on the page for 1 Corinthians 13, and I am planning on doing an in depth study on the chapter in the near or immediate future. I want to look peice by peice through the definition of love and see what steps we can go about to make it real in our lives, personality, and how we treat others.