Love can be the motivational force that causes many people to make sacrifices they would otherwise find difficult, such as forgiving an irritant partner or persevering through difficult creative projects. Love also plays a huge role in caring deeply about one’s children, sports team or religious belief system.

Paul in 1 Corinthians 13 outlined what kind of love Christians should embody, not so much what it feels like but what its effects should be.

Love is patient

“Patience” is an integral theological concept here as it describes God’s longsuffering love which He bestows freely and unreservedly on Christians through the Holy Spirit without regard to anything they can or must do on their part.

Paul emphasizes the actions taken within love rather than its feelings, using most verbs that describe actions taken to demonstrate his points.

Love is kind

Here, the word love does not refer to romantic affection; rather it implies a willingness to extend kindness toward others without seeking something in return.

Paul wrote this letter to address a church that appeared lacking Godly love at that time, so he lists all its characteristics of loving grace.

Love does not wish for harm; rather it rejoices at the spiritual gifts and financial success of Christian brothers and sisters.

Love is not jealous

Paul goes on to describe the characteristics of love. He describes agape love, or selfless affection towards others, as an ideal form of affection.

“Charity does not envy; boast or parade itself to appear superior; nor be arrogant; neither behave rudely nor become irritable and keeps no record of wrongs done to others.”

Paul includes this section at the conclusion of his discussion on spiritual gifts because he wants to demonstrate that without love these gifts would have no meaning.

Love is not envious

4 Love does not envy, boast, or act arrogantly. 5 It does not dishonor others; is not self-seeking; does not get easily provoked; keeps no record of wrongs committed against it and rejoices with truth rather than injustice. 6 Finally, love does not rejoice at injustice but rejoices with truth!

Biblical love dictates that our primary concern should be for their wellbeing; not our own. When we show kindness to someone from this angle, our ultimate aim should be for their benefit more than ourselves.

Love is not boastful

Love does not boast, make itself look good or provoke. Love acts in an appropriate manner without seeking its own interests and takes no account of evil.

Paul defines true Christian love by not keeping track of wrongs done to us by others and refraining from dwelling on any debts that they owe us – an action which shows true gratitude towards them and not revenge or vengeance against them. This is indeed a good definition of godly love!

Love is not resentful

Paul’s account of love in “The Love Chapter” remains an invaluable tool to many in understanding its true nature and unity. Paul placed this grid-like framework over Corinthian church in order to show what authentic love looks like.

Love isn’t easily provoked; rather it celebrates when truth prevails.

Love keeps no record of wrongs

Paul refers to love in this chapter by using a term called agape, which is an act of godly selflessness and commitment. Agape love is both action-oriented and perspective driven. Agape includes 14 verb-based descriptors that outline its characteristic behaviors.

An individual in love does not broadcast others’ weaknesses or try to bring them down with insults and put-downs; such a love keeps no record of past transgressions.

Love bears all things

Paul concludes this magnificent chapter on love by juxtaposing it to faith and hope – he sees them as interdependent trinities more fundamental than all the others charisms.

Paul challenged the Corinthians to show selfless love. To help them do so, he offered 14 descriptors of love that included action verbs that demonstrated how this virtue should be implemented into daily living.

Love believes all things

Love can also be described as hope-fullness. This implies that unconditional, or agape love, will never let go of those forgiven believers they hold dear.

Christians must trust in the power of God even during difficult circumstances in their lives and show him or her love in response. It should form the cornerstone of their spiritual gifts.

Love hopes all things

Love always points towards brighter days ahead and offers hope when we feel down. Even when our spouse fails, love reminds us they are still loved by God and continue to matter in His sight.

Love endures long and remains kind; it does not envy, vaunt itself or become arrogant; nor does it seek its own, become provoked or take note of evil; rather it bears all things with patience.