1 Corinthians 13:4
ESV - 4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
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First Corinthians 13 stands as one of the most famous chapters in the Bible. The subject is love, and many consider this portion of Scripture to be Paul's greatest literary work. In verse 4, we rea...
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Jesus' comandment to us was to love God and love people. All love comes from God. If we love others we will not steal from them, talk bad about them, covet anything they own, or treat them unkindly in any way. We will also do what ever is in our power to do to help them with their needs. We will weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who are rejoicing. When we see others' faults we will remember we have our own faults and overlook theirs. We will love them because Jesus loved us and forgave us all our sins. Our basis for treating others is based on what Jesus did on the cross for us. Love does not boast in its own righteousness. Love is not proud and arrogant. Instead of demanding perfection from others we remember that Jesus forgave us all our sins and is still forgiving us all our sins. If you say you have no sin you are a liar and do not the truth. We will not pick at little things and put others under the letter of the law. Love always gives the other person the benefit of the doubt. We have no love in ourselves and it all has to come from God. If we loved others the way Jesus loves us there would be very few divorces or church splits. We shouldn't fight over the smallest details, but sometimes we do. Love gives with no reward expected. Love says people are more important than precepts. Love is the opposite of hate. Love and compassion are the opposite of religion. Religion is what we do to gain God's favor. Love is what we do because we have His favor.
"Kindness makes a person attractive. If you would win the world, melt it, do not hammer it." - Alexander Maclaren "[Love] 'Is kind'(χρηστεύεται). Only here in the New Testament. See on χρηστὸς, A. V., easy, Matt. 11:30, and χρηστότης good, Rom. 3:12." --Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament So since Jesus (God) is the only One who is truly good and does good things, we must be saved and utilize His power to do good ourselves. And then it will be easy to be kind. When 1 Corinthians 13:4 says, “Love is kind,” it means that true love expresses itself through acts of kindness, compassion, and generosity toward others. Kindness is not just a feeling but a deliberate action that seeks the good of others, even when it is inconvenient or undeserved. Here are some Bible verses that expand on the kindness of love: Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” True love forgives and shows compassion, just as Christ has forgiven us. Proverbs 11:17 – “A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.” Kindness not only blesses others but also brings good into our own lives. Colossians 3:12 – “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” Love is shown through kindness, humility, and patience. Luke 6:35 – “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.” God’s love is kind even to those who don’t deserve it, setting an example for us. Titus 3:4-5 – “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy.” God’s kindness is an expression of His love, leading to our salvation. True love, according to the Bible, is actively kind—it seeks to encourage, uplift, help, and show mercy. It’s not passive but is demonstrated through gentle words, generous actions, and patient endurance.
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