What is 1 Corinthians 13 Love?

Quick quiz. What’s your love language?

• Words of affirmation?
• Acts of service?
• Quality time?
• Physical touch?
• Gifts?

Those are helpful categories. But God’s definition of love goes deeper.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Notice, love isn’t primarily a feeling. It’s a choice. A series of actions.

And here’s the big idea: Everything love “is” fights against what we naturally are.

• We’re impatient – Love chooses patience
• We’re unkind – Love chooses kindness
• We’re envious – Love celebrates others
• We’re proud – Love stays humble
• We’re self-focused – Love puts others first
• We’re quick to anger – Love remains steady
• We keep score – Love forgives
• No wonder we need God’s help to love this way!

Jesus Lived a 1 Corinthians 13 Love!

Think about Jesus. He didn’t just teach this love. He lived it:

• He showed patience with Thomas’s doubts (John 20:24-29).
• He displayed kindness to the Samaritan woman others rejected (John 4:7-26).
• He celebrated the faith of a Roman centurion (Matthew 8:10).
• He humbled himself to wash his disciples’ feet (John 13:3-5).
• He put us before himself by exchanging his life for ours (2 Corinthians 5:21).
• He remained steady when crowds mocked him (Luke 23:35-37).
• He forgave those who crucified him, even as they drove in the nails (Luke 23:34).

That’s real love. And it’s what He’s growing in us.

Here’s the beautiful part: When we fail to love this way (and we will), His perfect love covers our imperfect attempts.

Today, pick one quality of 1 Corinthians 13 love. Just one.

In your next interaction, how can you intentionally show that aspect of God’s love?