In the previous teaching from 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, we talked about how people sometimes do things that seem to be by the love of God, but this is not always the case. We learned that the word love, almost always in the New Testament, is translated from the Greek word agape, which is the highest form of love. It is love that puts the needs of others above our own. That is the love of God.

Chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians is the chapter known as the chapter of love. In this lesson, verses 4-8, we will find some characteristics of what love is, and what love is not.

The verses say, “Love is patient, love is kind.” Love is not envious or boastful or proud. ⁵ It does not behave rudely, it is not selfish, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.⁸ Love never fails.” (NIV)

So, from these verses, here is a list of what love is. We are talking about agape love. There are eight things on this list. Agape is patient and kind. It rejoices with the truth, excuses everything, believes everything, hopes everything, endures everything, and it never ends. Meaning love never ends. You can use this list to evaluate whether you have this kind of love in your life. Are you patient and kind to others? Do you rejoice with the truth? Are you excusing and believing and hoping and enduring everything in others? Does this love remain, or is it sometimes there and sometimes not? God’s love has all these characteristics always.

There is another list of what love is not, and there are also eight things on this list. It is not envious, it is not boastful, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not selfish, it is not easily angered, nor does it keep a record of wrongs. It does not delight in evil. It is interesting that this list is the opposite of the first one. If you are walking with these in your life, you are not walking in love.

All these characteristics are how we behave toward others and toward God.

Human beings naturally have love for their family and friends, but often not for others, or the love they have even for their family is not agape, but a love that is not so great.

That is why we all need a touch of God’s love in our lives to be able to love everyone. Sometimes by nature we are selfish and proud and not very patient or kind.

But through the Holy Spirit that we have within us as Christians, we have this love of God within us. Galatians 5:22 says that love, agape, is the fruit of the Spirit. Romans 5:5 says that God has put His love in our lives through the Holy Spirit.

How is love in your life? Are you showing this love to others? If not, it is time to ask God for help. Never forget that God is love and He loves us very much and He also loves everyone.