LOVE IS . . .
LoveG26 is patient G3114, love is kindG5541 . . .
1 Corinthians 13:4a (BSB)
Before we go further into the “love chapter,” I (Susan) want to share with you what I was impressed to do with these verses. I began by substituting “Jesus” for “love”, as in Jesus is patient, etc. Then, since we are supposed to be imitators of Jesus (Ephesians 5:1), I substituted my own name in each statement: “Susan is patient.” As you do this, examine yourself to see how well you are living up to the Lord’s definition of love.
G3114 – μακροθυμέω makrothyméō – To suffer long, be long-suffering, as opposed to hasty anger or punishment (1 Cor. 13:4; 1 Thess. 5:14, 2 Peter 3:9) . . . Makrothuméō involves exercising understanding and patience toward persons while hupoménō (G5278) involves putting up with things or circumstances.
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
Love exercises understanding and patience toward people. It is a choice to not let anger flare up but instead to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger” (James 1:19). Do I eagerly strain toward understanding rather than giving place to a knee-jerk reaction that causes divisiveness rather than unity? Jesus has certainly exercised patience with me! Now, by the power of the Holy Spirit, I can choose to love others by being patient with them.
G5541 – χρηστεύομαι chrēsteúomai – useful. To be kind, obliging, willing to help or assist (1 Co. 13:4)
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible
Love is “willing to help or assist.” It is useful. Kindness is not just a feeling toward someone but is springing into action on their behalf. “God’s kindness leads you to repentance” (Romans 2:4b). We cannot enter into a relationship with the Lord unless in His kindness, he draws us to Himself to be reconciled to Him. One way God demonstrates kindness toward us is by providing for our daily needs—food, shelter, etc. Am I being the hands and feet of Jesus by assisting others in their time of need? We are thinking right now of a precious friend of ours who went out of his way to pick up the groceries we had ordered online for ourselves and for my mom and then deliver them to each of our homes because we were not feeling well. He showed kindness to us by being useful, helpful, and available.
Father, as we study the definitions of love in I Corinthians 13, help us to examine ourselves to see where our love falls short. Help us courageously ask You to infuse us with Your love and enable us to act on what we learn.
Taken from Living in Love, available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Living-Love-Susan-Slade/dp/1954798164