1 Corinthians 13:4–7
4 Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
What does 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 mean?
Paul describes love through a series of behaviors and dispositions rather than sentiment alone. In its original setting the passage addresses the life of the Christian community, though its description of love naturally informs marriage and other relationships as well.
Biblical love is revealed through patient, humble, enduring action.
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 for your life
Marriage
Marriage makes love concrete. Patience, kindness, humility, forgiveness, protection, trust, hope, and perseverance become practices rather than romantic ideas.
Parenting
Parenting repeatedly tests the qualities Paul associates with love, especially patience and perseverance. The passage gives you a way to ask not merely whether you love your family, but how that love is taking shape today.
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