1 Corinthians 13:4-14:5, especially vss. 13:13, 14:1: "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Pursue love...." As the Apostle places love before us, he names it as the greatest among the virtues, the one that endures forever. Then, in the next breath, he commands us to "pursue love" (vs. 14:1).
What is this "love" we are to pursue? "God is love" (1 Jn. 4:8). Does the Apostle's command to pursue love differ from the commandment to "love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might" (Dt. 6:5)? Not at all. However, the Apostle knows love Incarnate in human flesh and so do all who have "united themselves unto Christ." Incarnate Love challenges us by saying, "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (Jn. 14:15). Furthermore, what The Apostle commands is from the Lord, and is to be obeyed out of love for "Him Who first loved us" (1 Jn. 4:19). So then, let us attend to what the Great Apostle says about love in today's lesson, for these are the "Ten Commandments of Love" springing from God Himself. Hence, as we learn from Love Himself how to love, let us love Him before all else.
Observe as you read that St. Paul provides us with descriptions of love rather than with explicit commandments to love. Hence he says, "Love suffers long" (1 Cor. 13:4). Elsewhere, however, he will turn this description into a command: "Put on as the elect of God, holy and beloved...long suffering" (Col. 3:12). We are not to be like the unforgiving servant who was extended the long-suffering indulgence of his lord, but could not share it in-kind (Mt.18:23-34).
"Love...is kind" (1 Cor.13:4). In other words, "[Add] to godliness, brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you and abound, they make you... [fruitful] ...in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 P. 1:7-8). Be a child of the Most High, for "He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful" (Lk. 6:35-36).
"Love does not envy" (1 Cor.13:4). The original word translated as "envy" is the root of our word "jealousy." We are not to be like Joseph's brothers (Gen. 37:8,18-20). We are not to indulge our desires against the Spirit (Gal. 5:17-21). Rather we are to do good to all.
The Apostle next describes love through a series of negative statements all of which are rooted in self-preoccupation. One cannot love in the Christian sense of the word and vaunt or be arrogant or rude or care only for his own needs and wants. Like the Forerunner John, love practices self-abasement. "I am not worthy to unloose" the latchet of His shoes (Lk. 3:16), "I need to be baptized" of Him (Mt. 3:14). Let us bow down and worship the Holy Lord Jesus!
"Love is not provoked" (1 Cor. 13:5). When one is angry it is because of belief that one's "rights" have been violated, but if one is a servant of the Lord Jesus, then all rights belong to Him. We have surrendered ourselves to Him: "I bow down before the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit." If I am struck on the right cheek, I will "turn the other to him also" (Mt. 5:39).
"Love thinks no evil" (vs. 5). We are not to keep score. If you "bring your gift...and there remember that your brother has something against you....first be reconciled." (Mt. 5:23, 24). We are to rejoice in the truth and "not rejoice in iniquity" (1 Cor. 13:6). Since the Lord is the Truth (Jn.14:6), our joy is in following and emulating His way of being and speaking.
Let us bear whatever befalls us as from the Lord's own hand, believing in Love Himself in all circumstances. Thus, we shall be able to endure (1 Cor. 13:7). Let us pursue Love Who calls us to follow Him, for we know this Lover Who has loved us always and still pursues us.
Love has not failed. Let us not fail Him (vs. 8)!
I have no life, no light, no joy, no strength and no love except in Thee, O Lover of all.