4. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
6. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
13. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
You might not know...
This is probably the most quoted wedding ceremony scripture of all time, It is taken from 1 Corinthians 13: 4-7 &13
Love is and as been a complex concept the ancient Greeks had between four-eight different words for love:
Stor-ge (pronounced stor-JAY)- affection
This is the Greek word for love between family members, it is the bond among mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, and brothers.
Philia or Phileo - friendship
This form of love to describe a love of equals who are united in a common purpose, pursuit, good, or end. Thus, philia refers to love based on mutual respect, shared devotion, joint interests, and common values. It is the love near and dear friends have for one another.
Eros - sexual, erotic
Eros is the Greek god of love and sex. His Roman counterpart was Cupid ("desire"), eros is the root word of the English word erotic. Eros can also be described as a passionate feeling of romantic affection.
Ludus - flirtatious, playful, casual, uncommitted.
Ludus usually occurs at the early stages of a relationship, it is playful or uncommitted love. It can involve activities such as teasing and dancing, or more overt flirting, seducing, and conjugating.
Ludus is infatuation on a different level as it’s described as similar to being high on drugs—the person makes you feel alive and excited.
Pragma - committed, long-standing
While eros tends to fizzle out eventually, pragma is the one that lasts. It has endured obstacles and has matured into a kind of love that stays throughout any challenges that life may throw.
Pragma is a kind of practical love founded on reason or duty and one’s longer-term interests. Sexual attraction takes a back seat in favour of personal qualities and compatibilities, shared goals, and "making it work."
This kind of love is rare in order to achieve pragma, a couple must be patient, understanding, forgiving, kind, and able to make compromises to stick together.
Philautia - self-love
Philautia defined as "love of self" or "regard for one's own happiness or advantage", has been conceptualized both as a basic human necessity and as a moral flaw.
It should be about the compassion and gentleness we give to ourselves. It’s taking care of and loving ourselves the same way we are willing to love and take care of the people important to us.
Lack of philautia can result in us having a hard time accepting other people’s love and affection because we see ourselves as unlovable. We may let other people treat us badly because we don’t know how we should be taken care of.
Too much Philautia can lead a person to be self-conceited, self-obsessed or narcissistic.
Mania - obsessive, possessive, addictive, dependent
This refers to an obsessive love style. These individuals tend to be emotionally dependent and to need fairly constant reassurance in a relationship.
Because of the possessiveness associated with this style, jealousy can be an issue for these individuals.
This series however will be focused on Agape(love), the devine, unconditional selfless love.
Agape - unconditional, divine, selfless
Agape refers to a pure, wilful, sacrificial love that intentionally desires another’s highest good.
Agape love is unconcerned with the self and concerned with the greatest good of another. Agape isn’t born just out of emotions, feelings, familiarity, or attraction, but from the will and as a choice. Agape requires faithfulness, commitment, and sacrifice without expecting anything in return.
Before Jesus left the earth he commanded us that we should "love one another as he loved us" -John 13:34 The Greek word agape’ is used for God’s love toward us and for the love that we should display toward one another.
Characteristics of love
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.
This kind of love is only possible when we allow the holy spirit to govern our lives.
The importance of love
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
In verse 1 of the text Paul stated that if we do not have Love then we produce nothing of value.
In verse 2 he explained that if we do not have love then we ourselves are of no value.
In verse 3 Paul says that regardless of what we do, if we don't have love it would profit us nothing.
Bottom line is we can do so many ‘good’ things, but without loving people we are nothing but annoying, loud, and obnoxious people.
If we don't love our brothers and sisters, then “how does God’s love abide in” us (1 John 3:17)? It doesn't the bible says whoever claims to love God and hate their brothers or sisters is a liar (1 John 4:20). The fact is anyone who does not love does not know God because love is both what God is and what he has done (1 John 4:8-16)
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