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1 Corinthians 13:4
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast.”
Since love is the preeminent fruit of the Holy Spirit that Paul gives us in Galatians 5:22–23, looking to the Apostle’s in-depth exposition of Christian love in 1 Corinthians 13 can help us better understand the qualities that the Lord is producing in us by His Holy Spirit. As we do so, we are not surprised that many of the characteristics of love given in 1 Corinthians 13 overlap with the fruit of the Spirit, for love animates spiritual fruit and distinguishes the work of the Holy Spirit from mere outward displays of the virtues presented in Galatians 5. One attribute of love that we also find listed as a fruit of the Spirit is kindness (1 Cor. 13:4; Gal. 5:22).
Kindness is one expression of love, for kindness does not respond to maltreatment with maltreatment. We looked at that specific aspect of love a few days ago, so we will not go into it in more detail now except to say that unless the Spirit is at work in us, we will inevitably respond to suffering with harshness. Building on that foundation, we note that kindness is the antithesis of many other vices. A kind person is not a rude person. A kind person is not a mean person. A kind person is not a severe person who responds disproportionately to an error when correction is needed. Kindness should increase in proportion to the amount of authority and power we have over other people because authority and power can shield us from certain kinds of threats, although it can also open us up to other dangers. All this is to say that kindness is especially important for those who have charge over others, since the Bible warns authority figures not to be harsh with those whom they lead (Eph. 6:4; Col. 3:19).
Today’s passage tells us also that love does not envy (1 Cor. 13:4), thereby encouraging us to contentment, which is closely related to the spiritual fruit of peace and self-control (Gal. 5:22–23). Dr. R.C. Sproul frequently pointed out that one of the most remarkable things about the Ten Commandments is that they include a law against coveting (Ex. 20:17). How many of us would include such a rule if we were to come up with a new constitution or legal system? Clearly, God’s wisdom is revealed in this law. So many societal problems are rooted in envy, in coveting what other people have. This envy, in turn, motivates theft, adultery, and other vices.
Finally, 1 Corinthians 13:4 says that love does not boast. When we arrogantly parade ourselves and our accomplishments, we exhibit an inappropriate kind of self-love that does not think of others.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Kindness does not mean that hard words are never necessary. It does mean that in offering correction, we seek to build up and not to tear down and that we engage in a proportionate response to error. Let us not wield whatever power we have in a harsh way but show kindness as we deal with others.
for further study
- Leviticus 25:35–38
- Job 6:14
- Luke 12:13–21
- James 1:9–11
the bible in a year
- Psalms 7–9
- Acts 17:1–15