1 Corinthians 13:7: Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love bears all things. “Bears” has the thought of protection. Love puts up an umbrella for others.
Love “believeth all things.” That does not mean that love is foolishly credulous. It does mean that love does not regard people with suspicion.
Love “hopeth all things.” Oh, the optimism of love!
It “endureth all things.” Love remains strong through testing.
We learn from all this that love is an abstract noun, but it is not to remain abstract. It is to be translated into life and action. It is to express itself in action through patience, through kindness, without envy, without boastfulness. 1
Application
- Read Galatians 6:1-2. How does love respond to a believer caught up in continual sin?
- What helps you to endure patiently with love towards those who have hurt you?
Thought to Share
Love is action. Words about love are inaction and mean nothing. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Lord, may I believe “all things” with greater faith and hope.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (1 Corinthians) (electronic ed., Vol. 44). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.