Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil. (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)
A song written a while back said, “I want to know what love is.” The world around us is constantly seeking to know love. People get into numerous relationships trying to find it. They design their lives around getting more of it. The best way to learn about love is to ask the One who is Love; “God is love” (1 John 4:8).
The Apostle Paul wrote a detailed definition of what it looks like to truly love others. The phrase charity suffereth long and is kind highlights two foundational aspects of love: patience and kindness. Patience, or long-suffering, means enduring difficult situations and people without becoming angry or upset. It means that when we love, we are also willing to bear with other’s faults and shortcomings. On the other hand, kindness is about actively seeking to do good to others, showing compassion, and being considerate in our actions and words.
Paul continued his in-depth description, saying that love does not envy. Envy is the opposite of love because it resents the blessings that come into other people’s lives. True love does not boast or seek to draw attention to itself. It is not arrogant or prideful but humble and modest. Godly humility allows us to celebrate others' achievements without feeling threatened. Real maturity is found in how you react when favor finds your friend before it shows up for you.
Practical Application
Be patient with others, especially in difficult situations. Show God's love through kindness in your actions and words, offering help and encouragement whenever possible.