1 Corinthians 13:4-8 MSG
Love: The Greatest Gift
Verse 4
Love is patient, love is kind.
In this verse, Paul highlights the characteristics of love. Love is not just a feeling, but it's an action that requires patience and kindness. When we love someone, we are willing to put up with their mistakes and imperfections. We are kind to them, even when they are not kind to us.
Verse 5
It doesn't envy, does not boast, it is not proud.
Love is not about comparing ourselves to others or seeking to be better than them. It's not about boasting about our accomplishments or being proud of our achievements. Love is humble and recognizes that everything we have is a gift from God.
Verse 6
It doesn't dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love is not about seeking to elevate ourselves by putting others down. It's not about getting angry when things don't go our way or keeping a record of all the wrongs that others have done to us. Love is about seeking the good of others and letting go of our own selfish desires.
Verse 7
Love takes pleasure in the truth, but it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love is not just about feeling good, it's about seeking the truth and being truthful in our relationships. Love believes the best about others, hopes for the best, and endures through the hardest of times.
Verse 8
Love never ends. But if there are prophecies, they will pass away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will pass away.
Paul concludes by saying that love is the one thing that will last forever. While prophecies, tongues, and knowledge may pass away, love will endure through eternity. It is the greatest gift that God has given us, and it will continue to be a part of our lives forever.
In this passage, Paul reminds us that love is not just a feeling, but it's a choice that we make every day. It's a choice to put others before ourselves, to be patient and kind, and to seek the good of others. As we continue to grow in our faith, let us remember that love is the greatest gift that God has given us, and it's a gift that will last forever.
