The Truth comes to Corinth

Paul Defines or Describes what God’s Love Does Part 4

1 Corinthians 13:7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. NKJV

Paul now is more assertive in his language about the action of true love poured out into the hearts of all who have been truly regenerated and born again by God the Holy Spirit. Before we go on to draw out of the Scripture what Paul is actually declaring to us, I want to go back again to the gift of discernment and just say briefly that because our enemy the devil is so cunning, wily, and always scheming to deceive (if possible) the very elect, we must be diligent in our examination of the fruit lived out in the lives of the people who claim to know the One True God (Jesus Christ). Paul’s words in this verse today paints for us a true picture of real love and it is the personification of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself as Paul says that love “beareth all things” and this English word beareth is translated by the Greek word stego which means to roof over or figuratively to cover with silence (endure patiently). Love acts itself out from the renewed heart like that of a well-built house or home that covers its occupants and protects them from the harsh elements outside that could potentially wreak havoc or harm to the person’s physical body.

God’s Love desires to endure wrongs from the source of His Love (sinful humanity) and so are each of His sons and daughters willing to be wronged for the sake of seeing others come to salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ as Paul writes in this manner to brother Timothy encouraging him to suffer for Christ sake he says, “Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:8-10). When we love as God does, we tolerate and put up with the frailty, flaws, and faults of the objects of our love. Paul also says that love “believeth all things” and the English word believeth is translated by the Greek word pisteuo which means to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, or place confidence in. Love is quicker to believe or trust that the person or persons who is the object of love are of an upright character and walking in the true light of Christ Jesus our Lord and even when facts refute that trust in the character of the person, then love is readily on its knees interceding with God the Father for the salvation or restoration of the persons soul. When we truly love as our Father in heaven does, we will desire to look for the good in the person rather than that which is sinful and wrong, although we are never so believing to the point of allowing the wrong character of the one’s we love to lead us away into error and sin as declared to us by the Apostle Peter in 2 Peter 3:17.

Love that believes all things is not gullible (to be naive and easily deceived or tricked) or what has been defined as “sloppy agape” which is Christianese that means a permissive relationship or environment in which people are not held accountable for the consequences of their mistakes; any teaching that emphasizes God’s forgiveness over and above the need for believers to be holy and obedient. Paul also says love “hopeth all things” and the English word hopeth is translated by the Greek word elpizo which means to expect or confide or to anticipate with pleasure. When we love with the love of God, we will always expect good for others. Love that is from God the Father acts on behalf of others seeking to benefit them always doing what will bring them into our Lord Jesus’ light. Love always hopes in the good of others even when their fruit from their lives is consistently destructive to themselves and others love continues to confidently expect that the person will be transformed and says and does all they can to be a positive influence to that end. Paul finally says that love “endureth all things” and the English word endureth is translated by the Greek word hupomeno which means to stay under or to persevere or to bear bravely and calmly ill treatments. When we love as Christ Jesus loves, we will not retaliate when we are wronged, but instead love will propel us to have fortitude or to be strengthen in our minds and inner man to face adversity with courage that flows from the love of God poured into our hearts as Paul declares we have received form God with these words, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

“Love will pass by and put up with injuries, without indulging anger or cherishing revenge, will be patient upon provocation, and long patient, panta hupomenei - holds firm, though it be much shocked, and borne hard upon; sustains all manner of injury and ill usage, and bears up under it, such as curses, contumacies, slanders, prison, exile, bonds, torments, and death itself, for the sake of the injurious, and of others; and perseveres in this firmness. Note, What a fortitude and firmness fervent love will give the mind! What cannot a lover endure for the beloved and for his sake! How many slights and injuries will he put up with! How many hazards will he run and how many difficulties encounter!” Matthew Henry

“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. Love produces this, because it rejoices in the happiness and virtue of others, and will not believe the contrary except on irrefragable evidence.” Albert Barnes

“When there is no place left for believing good of a person, then love comes in with its hope, where it could not work by its faith; and begins immediately to make allowances and excuses, as far as a good conscience can permit; and farther, anticipates the repentance of the transgressor, and his restoration to the good opinion of society and his place in the Church of God, from which he had fallen.” Adam Clarke

“Meantime love endureth all things - Whatever the injustice, the malice, the cruelty of men can inflict. He can not only do, but likewise suffer, all things, through Christ who strengtheneth him.” John Wesley

“The Love of God empowers us to carry the weight of others on our shoulders, even when we are ill-treated by them because we love them and desire to see them transformed by the grace of Christ. The power of love poured into us makes us like a brother in Christ Paul Anderson (1932-1994) who was powerful in love and in body as the Guinness Book of World Records (1985 edition) lists his feat of lifting 6,270 pounds in a back lift as ‘the greatest weight ever raised by a human being.’ Like Paul’s great lift listed here we can bear, believe, hope, and endure all things by God’s Love in us.” Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…