What Love Is and What Love Is Not

Today, I want us to explore the biblical definition of love. Love is a concept that has been explored, celebrated, and debated throughout human history. It's a central theme in literature, music, and art, but its truest definition is found in the pages of the Bible. In 1 Corinthians 13, often referred to as the "love chapter," the Apostle Paul provides us with a profound insight into the true biblical meaning of love. According to the thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians, love is multifaceted. It is patient, kind, rejoices in truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. This portrayal of love paints a picture of endurance, compassion, and unwavering support. However, just as importantly, Paul also outlines what love is not. Love is not envious, boastful, arrogant, rude, insistent on its own ways, irritable, or resentful. This serves as a stark reminder that true love is selfless, humble, and considerate of others.

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Cor. 13:1-13

​Merriam-Webster defines love as a feeling of strong or constant affection for another person, encompassing intimacy, passion, and commitment. However, the biblical definition of love goes beyond mere emotions. It encompasses actions and behaviors characterized by care, closeness, protectiveness, attraction, affection, and trust.

Furthermore, love is not limited to romantic relationships. It extends to family bonds, friendships, and even our relationship with God. Love is about accepting others for who they are and demonstrating compassion and empathy towards them. We do not have to love the sin to love the sinner.

1 Corinthians 13 challenges us to embody the essence of love in our daily lives. It encourages us to cultivate patience, kindness, and humility in our interactions with others. It reminds us that love is not just a feeling but a conscious choice to prioritize the well-being and happiness of those around us.

As we reflect on the biblical definition of love, let us strive to embody its principles in all aspects of our lives. Let us practice patience, kindness, and selflessness in our relationships, knowing that love is the greatest gift we can give and receive.

In a world often characterized by division and conflict, may we be beacons of love, spreading compassion and understanding wherever we go. And, may we always remember that, as 1 Corinthians 13 concludes, "the greatest of these is love."

Let's live out the true, biblical definition of love and make the world around us a brighter, more loving place for the glory of God and advancement of His Kingdom.

​1 Corinthians 13 speaks to "the way of love" and biblically defines what love is. What have you learned from this passage?

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