What/who is the ‘love’ mentioned in this beloved chapter? Is it abstract love, sentimental love, physical love, divine love, or is it someone? Read on to find out…

1 Corinthians 13:1-8, 13 – Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 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; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

This chapter is perhaps one of the most beloved chapters in Scripture. When you read it how do you think of and understand the word ‘love’? Is it an attitude/understanding/emotion/standard/behavior to be understood and replicated in your walk? Is it the world’s idea of love?

Or is it someone? If someone, then who could it be? Since Scripture interprets Scripture (Isaiah 28:9-10, 1 Cor 2:13-14, Ps 119) can we find a related verse? Yes, we can-

1 John 3:8b – …for God is love.

Now remember back in school when you learned A > B and B > C therefore A > C. Let’s apply that here:

God is love and love is defined in this chapter, therefore in this chapter God is defined.

Yes! This is a direct description of God’s love! God is being defined here! His nature, His being, His disposition, the very definition of God is love. So re-read the chapter substituting God for love. And revel in Him! Meditate on these divine, eternal truths and rejoice.

Then recall that Jesus is the Son of God; John 14:9-11 – “If you’ve seen me you’ve seen the father.” Think of Jesus’ life on earth- full of love. You see every example of love lived out in Jesus’ life in what He did and what He spoke.

So enjoy, revel, and delight in God’s love! If you’re redeemed then enjoy His love for you personally in every area of your life/walk! Praise God!

1 Cor 13:8 – Love never fails…
1 Cor 13:13 – And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.