Love Endures All Things

by Micky Galloway

I Corinthians 13:4-8, “Love suffereth long, (and) is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked, taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth …”

As we continue the study of the attributes of love in this chapter, the writer showed the Corinthians, who were badly discordant, a “more excellent way.” The apostle had condemned the many manifestations of this division, including in chapters 12-14 their attitudes toward one another relative to who had what spiritual gift. They were to love one another, i.e., seek the welfare or the best interest of others. Paul now says that “love … endureth all things.”

The spiritual gifts were not intended to be permanent. Nor were they to be a source of division. Prophecy, knowledge, and tongues went together. God would impart knowledge to the prophet, and He would give the message in a language that he had not studied. Sometimes the use of an interpreter (sometimes the prophet himself) would explain the message. These were gifts that some of the Corinthians prized, especially the gift of tongues. Their jealousy, envy, and strife caused them to misbehave toward one another.

The expression “endureth all things,” panta hupomenei, means, “To remain under, i.e., to persevere, endure, sustain, bear up under, suffer, as a load of miseries, adversities, persecutions or provocations with faith” (The Complete Word Study Dictionary). We certainly have persecutions from enemies, false brethren, and sometimes from professed friends or family.

Jesus faced successful opposition. Please consider that many were determined to destroy His influence and defeat His purpose; even if they had to resort to perversions, misrepresentations, and lies to do it (Matthew 12:14; 22:15; 26:59-61; cf. John 2:19-21). They tried to destroy His reputation (John 10:20; Matthew 11:16-19). They misrepresented His teaching (Luke 23:1-2; John 19:12; cf. Matthew 22:15-22; John 18:36). His good works infuriated them and they sought to so pervert these as to turn others against Him (Matthew 12:1-4; Luke 6:6-11; 13:11-17; John 5:1-16; Matthew 9:32-34;12:22-24). Yet, the Hebrew writer declared that Jesus is the author and perfecter of (our) faith, “Who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising shame, and hath sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against himself, that ye wax not weary, fainting in your souls” (Hebrews 12:2-3). Let the conduct of Christ illustrate endurance. He was not impatient with the ignorant, or revengeful upon His persecutors.

Paul reminds Timothy, “But thou didst follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, persecutions, sufferings. What things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (II Timothy 3:10-12). These events occurred during Paul’s second preaching journey and are recorded in Acts 14. Motivated by unbelieving Jews in Antioch and Iconium, those of Lystra “stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.” Paul rose up and entered into the city. After traveling to Derbe and making many disciples there, he “returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:19-22).

Love bears up under all circumstances. We are never at liberty under any trial, affliction, or insult to quit; thinking these are too great to be endured. Paul’s desire for the Thessalonians was that they would not be moved by afflictions. He said, “For verily, when we were with you, we told you beforehand that we are to suffer affliction; even as it came to pass, and ye know” (I Thessalonians 3:4).

We are reminded in I Corinthians 10:13 that, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.” After Job lost all that he had and his body was smitten with boils from the top of his head to the sole of his feet, he boldly declared, “Behold, he will slay me; I have no hope: Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him” (Job 13:15). James references this very example in James 5:7-11, “ Be patient therefore, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; establish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Murmur not, brethren, one against another, that ye be not judged: behold, the judge standeth before the doors. Take, brethren, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spake in the name of the Lord. Behold, we call them blessed that endured: ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, how that the Lord is full of pity, and merciful.”

Can you possibly imagine from the examples above, Jesus, Paul, or Job having their feelings hurt or becoming so disappointed or infuriated that they would quit their service to God? Love endures and does not complain. This was a much needed lesson for the Corinthians and often for us. Yes, this kind of love is “a more excellent way.”