I Am Christian

The Biblical Definition of Love

1 Corinthians 13 New International Version (NIV)

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
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. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

Roadsterrider · 56-60, M

That is a beautiful passage and I can agree with it. I have some reservations though on the love part. Love does not mean acceptance. Love doesn't mean that I have to accept things toxic to myself to love someone. Love doesn't mean I have to be a martyr to someone else's cause. I have love for humankind but I can't accept some into my life the way they are.

Silverwings · 61-69, F

@Roadsterrider I agree with you, it is called boundaries!!

Roadsterrider · 56-60, M

@Silverwings I probably shouldn't jump in the middle of religious discussions, I started out as a child going to church and then didn't like what I was seeing and got to a point where I was very conscious of organized religion, maybe even anti in some sense. Now at 50 something I am just now coming to terms with the God I knew as a child but with today's understanding.

Silverwings · 61-69, F

@Roadsterrider It is ok to enter into conversations, that is what it is all about discourse. I am glad that you are finally getting to know the creator, it is better late than never. God Bless.

Roadsterrider · 56-60, M

@Silverwings Thanks, I am still not too fond of organized religion, the mega churches of today seem to smack of the Rockstar mentality. I need to find a little church with a bunch of old timers and a preacher that preaches. May God bless you as well.

Silverwings · 61-69, F

@Roadsterrider You sound just like me, and not sure where you are from but surely those kind of churches do exist, I am from Ky in the middle of the bible belt, and they are abundant here. I hope you find what you are looking for!!

Roadsterrider · 56-60, M

@Silverwings I grew up in WV. I joined the service and lived in NC, IL, TX, and a few other states. I am in PA now. I will keep looking.

Silverwings · 61-69, F

@Roadsterrider google full gospel churches

Silverwings · 61-69, F

@Roadsterrider I AGREE AND THERE IS NO FORCE IN LOVE IT IS ALL GUINUALLY VOLUNTARY AND FREE

Silverwings · 61-69, F

@Roadsterrider Jesus too had problems with the religious crowd, it is anathema to him, and you notice I said "it" because there is a religious spirit and is an it, he loves the people, but not the evil spirits that inhabit them. It still holds true today. These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me (Matthew 15:8). Isaiah puts it this way in Chapter 39 verse 13: These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. This scripture refers to the people who were religious but didn’t serve God with the right heart.