The Love Chapter - The Attributes of Love
Introduction
Author, motivational speaker, and professor, Leo Buscaglia told the story of being invited by a neighbor to go to their church, which they said was a place where “beautiful, spiritual things went on” and they wanted him to go and experience it with them. He agreed to go, and he said that as soon as they entered the door of this little church everybody took his hand and patted his shoulder (and, he said “felt his hair”). He said, “It was an absolute freak out right at the door!”
He said there was a lot of singing and a lot of moving around, a real celebration; sort of the kind of religious experience that some of us think about and dream about but don’t very often experience. He said the high point came when the minister came and said, “Friends, Brother Jonathan is going to give the sermon today and his subject is going to be Faith.” He said, “Little Brother Jonathan stood up and he was about 5 foot 4, and he had no hair, and he had two beady, wonderful, Kris Kringle eyes. And he stood before everybody for a minute … and then he folded his hands. And he said, ‘Faith, faith, faith, faith, faith, faith.’ And then he sat down. And the minister stood up, and with a big smile on his face, he said, ‘Thank you Brother Jonathan for that beautiful (message) on faith’.”
Buscaglia, who when he told this was lecturing on love then said that “someday, I’m gonna wise up, and when I go to talk to people … about love, I’m gonna fold my hands and I’m gonna say, ‘Love, love, love, love, love, love, love.’ And then I’m gonna go home. And it’ll be the most beautiful evening we’ve had. And you can stand up and say, ‘Oh, that Buscaglia really knows his way around love’.”
Well, Paul had a lot more to say than that, but he really knew his way around this subject of love. Warren Wiersbe said…
Many people fail to see that Paul was still dealing with the Corinthians’ problems when he wrote these words: the abuse of the gift of tongues, division in the church, envy of others’ gifts, selfishness (remember the lawsuits?), impatience with one another in the public meetings, and behavior that was disgracing the Lord. The only way spiritual gifts can be used creatively is when Christians are motivated by love.
So Paul is discussing love, more as a solution than a subject. It is an ingredient in the context more than an isolated concept. However, I think there is much we can learn from this chapter even in approaching it on the basis of the subject and concept of love.
The theme of the chapter is “charity,” although the better rendering is “love.” And this repeated word is translated from the Greek term agape.
John MacArthur said…
Agape? (love) is one of the rarest words in ancient Greek literature, but one of the most common in the New Testament. Unlike our English love, it never refers to romantic or sexual love, for which ero? s was used, and which does not appear in the New Testament. Nor does it refer to mere sentiment, a pleasant feeling about something or someone. It does not mean close friendship or brotherly love, for which philia is used. Nor does agape? mean charity, a term the King James translators carried over from the Latin and which in English has long been associated only with giving to the needy. This chapter is itself the best definition of agape?.
Self-giving love, love that demands something of us, love that is more concerned with giving than receiving, is as rare in much of the church today as it was in Corinth. The reason, of course, is that agape? love is so unnatural to human nature. Our world has defined love as “romantic feeling” or “attraction,” which has nothing to do with true love in God’s terms.?The supreme measure and example of agape? love is God’s love. “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Love is above all sacrificial. …
MacArthur says that in this chapter…
Paul shines love through a prism and we see 15 of its colors and hues, the spectrum of love. Each ray gives a facet, a property, of agape love. Unlike most English translations, which include several adjectives, the Greek forms of all those properties are verbs. They do not focus on what love is so much as on what love does and does not do. Agape? love is active, not abstract or passive. It does not simply feel patient, it practices patience. It does not simply have kind feelings, it does kind things. It does not simply recognize the truth, it rejoices in the truth. Love is fully love only when it acts.
While this list of 15 facets of love may be actions rather than adjectives, I want to approach this by saying that love seems to be personified here, and that verses 4 thru 7 represents a list of attributes that describe our friend Agape Love.
Albert Barnes said…
Paul now proceeds to illustrate the “nature” of love, or to show how it is exemplified. His illustrations are all drawn from its effect in regulating our conduct toward others, or our contact with them. The “reason” why he made use of this illustration, rather than its nature as evinced toward “God,” was, probably, because it was especially necessary for them to understand in what way it should be manifested toward each other. There were contentions and strifes among them … and Paul therefore evidently designed to correct these evils, and to produce a different state of things by showing them what would be produced by the exercise of love.
I. Some Obvious Attributes Assocated With Agape Love
Notice Some Of The Obvious Attributes Assocated With This Agape Love
(1 Corinthians 13:4) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
A. There Is A Gracious Quality Involved
The Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary says that love, “Suffereth long – under provocations of evil from others.”
The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament indicates that this phrase “suffereth long” (NT:3114 – makrothumeí) is used for God's “longsuffering” or “forbearance”…
The majestic God graciously restrains His righteous wrath. … God’s forbearance pledges Christians to a similar forbearance. … Love itself is forbearing (1 Corinthians 13:4). Forbearance is a necessary quality in the service of God. … It is a spiritual force that has its origin in the divine glory and works itself out in joyful endurance.
And even the word “kind” (NT:5541 – chreesteúetai), is used to refer to God’s proofs of grace to those who call upon him. And this kindly conduct is derived from divine goodness.
So because God has been lovingly gracious to us, gracious love, longsuffering love, should be a part of our Christian character.
B. There Is A Gentle Quality Involved
Scholar A. T. Robertson said of the term “kind” (chreesteuetai), that it is “From chreestos (useful, gracious, kind).” The word means “Gentle in behavior.”
kind – Greek 5541. chresteuomai, khraste-yoo'-om-ahee; mid. from G5543; to show oneself useful,
i.e. act benevolently:--be kind.
It was U. R. Thomas who said of the kindness of love…
The thing he here indicates is rather the fragrance of the whole flower of love than any one of its petals, the luster of the entire diamond rather than any one of its facets. Kindness is a charm of the Christian life. The word is a beautiful word, and is the expression of a beautiful grace; sometimes being rendered gentleness, goodness. … It is not simply a manner, but a moral loveliness that shines through all manner. (This kindness is) an obligation of the Christian life. It is not an ornament to be worn at option, but the constant garb of our life, not a work of supererogation (going beyond what is expected), but a necessary, essential, and elemental duty.
(From The Biblical Illustrator)
You’ve probably seen the GEICO commercial where the customer is sitting in the back yard with the host from “Inside the Actors Studio,” James Lipton. Both of them have their feet soaking in a pool. At the end, the customer says that it was refreshing to talk to an actual human being, and Lipton says, “Human beings behaving humanly. Brilliant.” I think Paul is suggesting that the kind of love we need for others is love like Christ has for us. And I want to say, “Christians behaving like Christ. Brilliant!”
II. Some Opposite Attributes Associated With Agape Love
Notice Some Of The Opposite Attributes Associated With This Agape Love
(1 Corinthians 13:4-6) 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;
A. Ego Not Part Of This Love – It Is Not Selfish Or Rude
All of the descriptive points that we are dealing with under this heading have to do with self charity envieth not
MacArthur, in speaking the envy, relates it to Paul’s own life…
When love sees someone who is popular, successful, beautiful, or talented, it is glad for them and never jealous or envious. While Paul was imprisoned, probably in Rome, some of the younger preachers who then served where he had ministered were trying to outdo the apostle out of envy. They were so jealous of Paul’s reputation and accomplishments that, with their criticism, they intended to cause him additional “distress” while he suffered in prison.
Listen to this verse from Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase “The Message”…
Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, charity vaunteth not itself
vaunteth – Greek 4068. perpereuomai, per-per-yoo'-om-ahee; mid. from perperos, (braggart; perh. by redupl. of the base of G4008); to boast:--vaunt itself. This has the idea of being braggadocios.
The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says that this word “vaunteth” (NT:4068 – perpereúomai) meaning “to boast”…
Relates to arrogance in speech, being associated with such concepts as loquacity, bluster, bragging, etc. It suggests a literary or rhetorical form of boasting. In 1 Corinthians 13:4 it carries such varied nuances as arrogance, pretension, and impotent chatter. … We do not set aside?
perpereúesthai by practice etc., as in Stoicism; love itself sets it aside in us when we take this more excellent way.
MacArthur said…
Love does not parade its accomplishments. Bragging is the other side of jealousy. Jealousy is wanting what someone else has. Bragging is trying to make others jealous of what we have. Jealousy puts others down; bragging builds us up. It is ironic that, as much as most of us dislike bragging in others, we are so inclined to brag ourselves.
charity… is not puffed up
puffed up – Greek 5448. phusioo, foo-see-o'-o; from G5449 in the prim. sense of blowing; to inflate,
i.e. (fig.) make proud (haughty):--puff up.
Albert Barnes said of this phrase “puffed up”…
It perhaps differs from the preceding word, inasmuch as that word denotes the expression of the feelings of pride, vanity, etc., and this word the feeling itself. A man may be very proud and vain, and not express it in the form of boasting. That state is indicated by this word. If he gives expression to this feeling, and boasts of his endowments, that is indicated by the previous word. Love would prevent this, as it would the former. It would destroy the feeling, as well as the expression of it. It would teach a man that others had good qualities as well.
To vaunt is the expression of pride; to be puffed up is the pride itself. charity… doth not behave itself unseemly
behave … unseemly – Greek 807. aschemoneo, as-kay-mon-eh'-o; from G809; to be (i.e. act) unbecoming:--behave self uncomely (unseemly).
It was A. T. Robertson who said that this indicates that love is “not indecent.” Thayer’s Greek Lexicon suggests that this word has to do with being deformed or disgraceful. The Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary says that it indicates that love “is not uncourteous.” MacArthur said, “The principle here has to do with poor manners, with acting rudely.”
charity… seeketh not her own
MacArthur said, “Here is probably the key to everything. The root evil of fallen human nature is in wanting to have its own way.”
Again A. T. Robertson said that this refers to seeking “its own interests,” and he cites 1 Corinthians 10:24 and 33 as cross references.
Barnes said…
There is, perhaps, not a more striking or important expression in the New Testament than this; or one that more beautifully sets forth the nature and power of that love which is produced by true religion. Its evident meaning is that it is not selfish; it does not seek its own happiness exclusively or mainly.
Surely this is the teaching in another of Paul’s epistles…
(Philippians 2:1-4) If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, {2} Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. {3} Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. {4} Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
B. Evil Not Part Of This Of Love – It Is Not Sinful Or Retaliatory
(1 Corinthians 13:5-6) 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;
provoked – Greek 3947. paroxuno, par-ox-oo'-no; from G3844 and a der. of G3691; to sharpen alongside, i.e. (fig.) to exasperate:--easily provoke, stir.
Barnes said…
The meaning of the phrase in the Greek is that a man who is under the influence of love or religion is not “prone” to violent anger or exasperation.
He is not “sharp-tempered” or “sharp-tongued.” charity… thinketh no evil
Tom Hayes wrote…
The idea in the words “thinketh no evil,” is that love doesn’t hold grudges. As one has explained, “Love doesn’t enter into the account book wrongs and injuries and unkindness” (J. D. Jones).
We read from A. T. Robertson…
Taketh not account of evil (“thinketh no evil”) ?ou ??logizetai ??to ??kakon?. An old verb from ? logos?, to count up, to take account of as in a ledger or note-book, “the evil” (?to ??kakon) done to love with a view to settling the account.
So it has the idea of holding grudges or getting even. charity… rejoiceth not in iniquity
iniquity – Greek 93. adikia, ad-ee-kee'-ah; from G94; (legal) injustice (prop. the quality, by impl. the act); mor. wrongfulness (of character, life or act):--iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong.
Adam Clarke said this indicates the idea of rejoicing in falsehood.
MacArthur said, “Love never takes satisfaction from sin, whether our own sin or that of others.”
Barnes explains…
[Rejoiceth not in iniquity] Does not rejoice over the “vices” of other people; does not take delight when they are guilty of crime, or when, in any manner, they fall into sin. It does not find pleasure in hearing others accused of sin, and in having it proved that they committed it. It does not find a malicious pleasure in the “report” that they have done wrong; or in following up that report, and finding it established. … It neither loves the wrong, nor the fact that it has been done.
A heart of Christian love doesn’t want to give somebody their “come-uppance” and it doesn’t get happy when they do get their “come-uppance.”
III. Some Optimistic Attributes Associated With Agape Love
Notice Some Of The Optimistic Attributes Associated With This Agape Love
(1 Corinthians 13:6-7) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; {7} Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
A. Love Gives Us Optimism In The Spiritual (Or Needy)
Realms Of Life
charity… rejoiceth in the truth
Barnes said…
[Rejoiceth in the truth] The word “truth” here stands opposed to “iniquity,” and means virtue, piety, goodness. It does not rejoice in the “vices,” but in the “virtues” of others. It is pleased, it rejoices when they “do well.” It is pleased when those who differ from us conduct themselves in any manner in such a way as to please God, and to advance their own reputation and happiness. They who are under the influence of that love rejoice that good is done, and the truth defended and advanced, whoever may be the instrument; rejoice that others are successful in their plans of doing good, though they do not act with us; rejoice that other people have a reputation well earned for virtue and purity of life, though they may differ from us in opinion, and may be connected with a different denomination.
charity… beareth all things
beareth – Greek 4722. stego; to roof over, i.e. (fig.) to cover with silence (endure patiently):-- forbear, suffer.
MacArthur said…
Stegoô (to bear) basically means to cover or to support and therefore to protect. Love bears all things by protecting others from exposure, ridicule, or harm. Genuine love does not gossip or listen to gossip. Even when a sin is certain, love tries to correct it with the least possible hurt and harm to the guilty person. Love never protects sin but is anxious to protect the sinner. (How like the love of Christ!)
Again A. T. Robertson said…
Beareth all things panta stegei. stegoo is an old verb from stegee, roof. … Love covers, protects, forbears. See 1 Peter 4:8 “because love covers a multitude of sins,” throws a veil over.
B. Love Gives Us Optimism In The Struggling (Or Negative)
Relationships Of Life
charity… believeth all things
believeth – Greek 4100. pisteuo, pist-yoo'-o; from G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by impl. to entrust (espec. one's spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe (- r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.
Barnes said…
[Believeth all things] The whole scope of the connection and the argument here requires us to understand this of the conduct of others. It cannot mean, that the man who is under the influence of love is a man of “universal credulity;” that he makes no discrimination in regard to things to be believed; and is as prone to believe a falsehood as the truth; or that he is at no pains to inquire what is true and what is false, what is right and what is wrong. But it must mean, that in regard to the conduct of others, there is a disposition to put the best construction on it; to believe that they may be actuated by good motives, and that they intend no injury; and that there is a willingness to suppose, as far as can be, that what is done is done consistently with friendship, good feeling, and virtue.
In other words, love causes us to believe the best about someone, to give them the benefit of the doubt.
charity… hopeth all things
We read that A. T. Robertson explained the phrase “Hopeth all things” (?panta elpizei) as “Sees the bright side of things. Does not despair.”
MacArthur wrote…
Even when belief in a loved one’s goodness or repentance is shattered, love still hopes. When it runs out of faith it holds on to hope. As long as God’s grace is operative human failure is never final. God would not take Israel’s failure as final. Jesus would not take Peter’s failure as final. Paul would not take the Corinthians’ failure as final. There are more than enough promises in the Bible to make love hopeful.
The parents of backslidden children, the spouse of an unbelieving marriage partner, the church that has disciplined members who do not repent – all hope in love that the child, the spouse, or the erring brother or sister will be saved or restored. Love refuses to take failure as final. The rope of love’s hope has no end. As long as there is life, love does not lose hope.
Love looks beyond failure and believes that it is not final. charity… endureth all things
endureth – Greek 5278. hupomeno, hoop-om-en'-o; from G5259 and G3306; to stay under (behind),
i.e. remain; fig. to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have fortitude, persevere:--abide, endure, (take) patient (- ly), suffer, tarry behind.
Barnes said of this phrase “endureth all things” that love…
Bears up under, sustains, and does not complain. Bears up under all persecutions at the hand of man; all efforts to injure the person, property, or reputation; and hears all that may be laid upon us in the providence and by the direct agency of God. The connection requires us to understand it principally of our treatment at the hands of our fellow-men.
In his book on “Courage – You Can Stand Strong in the Face of Fear,” Jon Johnston shares the following story…
Ted Stallard undoubtedly qualifies as the one of “the least.” Turned off by school. Very sloppy in appearance. Expressionless. Unattractive. Even his teacher, Miss Thompson, enjoyed bearing down her red pen—as she placed Xs beside his many wrong answers.
If only she had studied his records more carefully. They read:
1st grade: Ted shows promise with his work and attitude, but (has) poor home situation. 2nd grade: Ted could do better. Mother seriously ill. Receives little help from home.
3rd grade: Ted is good boy but too serious. He is a slow learner. His mother died this year. 4th grade: Ted is very slow, but well-behaved. His father shows no interest whatsoever.
Christmas arrived. The children piled elaborately wrapped gifts on their teacher’s desk. Ted brought one too. It was wrapped in brown paper and held together with Scotch Tape. Miss Thompson opened each gift, as the children crowded around to watch. Out of Ted’s package fell a gaudy rhinestone bracelet, with half of the stones missing, and a bottle of cheap perfume. The children began to snicker. But she silenced them by splashing some of the perfume on her wrist, and letting them smell it. She put the bracelet on too.
At day’s end, after the other children had left, Ted came by the teacher’s desk and said, “Miss Thompson, you smell just like my mother. And the bracelet looks real pretty on you. I’m glad you like my presents.” He left. Miss Thompson got down on her knees and asked God to forgive her and to change her attitude.
The next day, the children were greeted by a reformed teacher—one committed to loving each of them. Especially the slow ones. Especially Ted. Surprisingly—or maybe, not surprisingly, Ted began to show great improvement. He actually caught up with most of the students and even passed a few.
Time came and went. Miss Thompson heard nothing from Ted for a long time. Then, one day, she received this note:
Dear Miss Thompson:
I wanted you to be the first to know. I will be graduating second in my class. Love, Ted
Four years later, another note arrived. Dear Miss Thompson:
They just told me I will be graduating first in my class. I wanted you to be first to know. The university has not been easy, but I liked it.
Love, Ted
And four years later. Dear Miss Thompson:
As of today, I am Theodore Stallard, M.D. How about that? I wanted you to be the first to know. I am getting married next month, the 27th to be exact. I want you to come and sit where my mother would sit if she were alive. You are the only family I have now; Dad died last year.
Miss Thompson attended that wedding, and sat where Ted’s mother would have sat. The compassion she had shown that young man entitled her to that privilege.
http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/l/love.htm
Love is something very special. Ted Stallard understood that. Miss Thompson understood that. Paul understood that. And we need to understand that and love others as Christ loves us. After all, that is Christ’s commandment for us…
(John 13:34) A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Gospel Songwriter (Dottie Rambo):
I’m a prisoner of love, a slave to the Master
I willingly toil through the heat and the cold
I seek no reward in this life below
For payday will come when the pearly gates unfold.
When I came to Jesus I settled it all I gave Him my life to control
Neither fear nor persuasion could draw me to Christ
But His love has captured my soul.
He holds me secure with His love strong and true I’m happy His servant to be
In bondage to Jesus forever I’ll stay My soul doesn’t want to be free.