Charity [Love] "Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things." — I Cor. 13:7
As Love,— this Love of God Who is Love, and the Love He imparts to surrendered hearts— as this love confronts the "real world," in which so much is flawed and failing, certain qualities are manifest, in addition to those which have appeared in preceding verses. These qualities have to do with how the Love controlled believer relates to others.
Perhaps we should notice first that "all things," which follows each expression of Love, is a generalization not necessarily implying "all" without exception. It is intended, in my judgment, to give broad scope to the prevailing disposition of those in whom this Love is manifested. There may be qualified exceptions, but in principle this is how such Love behaves.
Love bears all things. The implication of the word underlying the translation here is that love "bears with" the faults and failures of others, neither publicizing them to their embarrassment and shame, nor abandoning them because of their faults. This quality is illustrated in Joseph's love for Mary when he found her "with child" and, supposing her guilty of infidelity was, "not willing to make her a public example, [but] was minded to put her away privately [Matt. 1:19]." He would not have ignored what he perceived as a painful fault in her, but would bear it quietly. So does the Love of God deal gently with our transgressions, and instruct us to do the same with others.
Love believes all things. Here the idea is that of Love maintaining a positive attitude toward others, even in unlikely circumstances, until there is no alternative. When the apostle Paul was made to appear before king Agrippa he was moved, in the course of his testimony and in the face of Festus' accusation that "much learning doth make thee mad (Acts 26:24ff)," to turn to Agrippa with the question, "King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets?" But, before the king could answer Paul declared, "I know that thou believest." It was the expression of a positive assumption, giving, as we might say, 'the benefit of the doubt' to the king. Love is not suspicious; it believes in everyone until one proves himself undeserving of its trust.
Love hopes all things. Where Love sees undeniable failure, it nevertheless maintains confidence that the subject is not beyond hope but may be revived and restored in another day. It is this alone which will enable us to follow through with the injunction, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted [Gal. 6:1]." Love, in short, never gives up on anyone.
Love endures all things. When harassed or attacked, Love perseveres. It does not collapse under pressure of opposition. This quality is seen first and foremost in the Savior Himself, when from the cross He cries to the Father in behalf of His antagonists, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." And, it is reflected at our level in the cry of Stephen when his adversaries were stoning him to death, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge [Acts 7:60]."
All of this must lead me to ask, how evident is this Love of God in my life? How well do I bear with the faults of others and "cover the multitude of sins?" Or am I prone to air their faults and publicize their failures?
How inclined am I to believe in others, with or without evidence? Or am I inclined rather to expect them to fail, and be self congratulating when they do?
How much hope do I translate into believing prayer for those who have disappointed me in the past? Or have I shrugged them off as hopeless— or worthless?
And finally, how well have I maintained a positive attitude toward those who oppose me, seeking earnestly and unfailingly their forgiveness and grace, rather than their condemnation?
These are standards by which my Love may be tested. Thoughtful, honest reflection can be painfully embarrassing, for the Savior said, "By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples… " Shortfall in my Love life marks shallowness in my relationship with Him.
For our good and His glory,
"Pastor" Frasier
As Love,— this Love of God Who is Love, and the Love He imparts to surrendered hearts— as this love confronts the "real world," in which so much is flawed and failing, certain qualities are manifest, in addition to those which have appeared in preceding verses. These qualities have to do with how the Love controlled believer relates to others.
Perhaps we should notice first that "all things," which follows each expression of Love, is a generalization not necessarily implying "all" without exception. It is intended, in my judgment, to give broad scope to the prevailing disposition of those in whom this Love is manifested. There may be qualified exceptions, but in principle this is how such Love behaves.
Love bears all things. The implication of the word underlying the translation here is that love "bears with" the faults and failures of others, neither publicizing them to their embarrassment and shame, nor abandoning them because of their faults. This quality is illustrated in Joseph's love for Mary when he found her "with child" and, supposing her guilty of infidelity was, "not willing to make her a public example, [but] was minded to put her away privately [Matt. 1:19]." He would not have ignored what he perceived as a painful fault in her, but would bear it quietly. So does the Love of God deal gently with our transgressions, and instruct us to do the same with others.
Love believes all things. Here the idea is that of Love maintaining a positive attitude toward others, even in unlikely circumstances, until there is no alternative. When the apostle Paul was made to appear before king Agrippa he was moved, in the course of his testimony and in the face of Festus' accusation that "much learning doth make thee mad (Acts 26:24ff)," to turn to Agrippa with the question, "King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets?" But, before the king could answer Paul declared, "I know that thou believest." It was the expression of a positive assumption, giving, as we might say, 'the benefit of the doubt' to the king. Love is not suspicious; it believes in everyone until one proves himself undeserving of its trust.
Love hopes all things. Where Love sees undeniable failure, it nevertheless maintains confidence that the subject is not beyond hope but may be revived and restored in another day. It is this alone which will enable us to follow through with the injunction, "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted [Gal. 6:1]." Love, in short, never gives up on anyone.
Love endures all things. When harassed or attacked, Love perseveres. It does not collapse under pressure of opposition. This quality is seen first and foremost in the Savior Himself, when from the cross He cries to the Father in behalf of His antagonists, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." And, it is reflected at our level in the cry of Stephen when his adversaries were stoning him to death, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge [Acts 7:60]."
All of this must lead me to ask, how evident is this Love of God in my life? How well do I bear with the faults of others and "cover the multitude of sins?" Or am I prone to air their faults and publicize their failures?
How inclined am I to believe in others, with or without evidence? Or am I inclined rather to expect them to fail, and be self congratulating when they do?
How much hope do I translate into believing prayer for those who have disappointed me in the past? Or have I shrugged them off as hopeless— or worthless?
And finally, how well have I maintained a positive attitude toward those who oppose me, seeking earnestly and unfailingly their forgiveness and grace, rather than their condemnation?
These are standards by which my Love may be tested. Thoughtful, honest reflection can be painfully embarrassing, for the Savior said, "By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples… " Shortfall in my Love life marks shallowness in my relationship with Him.
For our good and His glory,
"Pastor" Frasier
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