This devotional on love explains what 1 Corinthians 13 actually describes: love as a set of daily choices, not a feeling. Paul writes, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast” (1 Corinthians 13:4, ESV). Read the list as a picture of Jesus first, then ask him to grow that love in you.
Key Verse
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant” (1 Corinthians 13:4, ESV)
More Than a Wedding Reading
First Corinthians 13 is read at countless weddings, and it is beautiful there. But Paul first wrote it to a divided, proud church that was competing over spiritual gifts. He was not describing romance. He was showing them what real love looks like when people rub each other the wrong way.
Love Described in Action
Notice that almost every phrase is a verb or behavior. Love is patient when others are slow. It is kind when kindness is not returned. It does not envy others’ success or boast about its own. It is not proud or harsh. It does not demand to get what it wants, it is not quick-tempered, and it keeps no running record of wrongs.
Love is never glad when wrong is done; it is glad when the truth wins. Love is not permissive; it takes joy in goodness. And it bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things. That does not mean naive trust in everyone. It means love refuses to give up.
Only Jesus Fits This Description
Try putting your own name in place of love, and you will quickly see how far short we fall. Then put Jesus’ name there. He is patient and kind. He did not insist on his own way but went to the cross. He endured all things for us. This passage is first a portrait of him.
That is good news. We do not love like this by trying harder alone. Our love is a response to his love, which came first (1 John 4:19), and his Spirit grows this fruit in us. Choose one phrase from the list and ask God to help you practice it with one person today.
Today, Try This
Choose one phrase from 1 Corinthians 13:4–7, such as “love is patient,” and practice it intentionally with one specific person today.
Reflection Question
Which description of love in this passage is hardest for you to live out, and with whom?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you are patient and kind; you bore all things for me. Forgive me for loving poorly. Fill me with your love so that I can be patient, kind, humble, and enduring with the people around me today. Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 mean?
1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (ESV) describes love through concrete actions: patience, kindness, humility, not insisting on one’s own way, not keeping resentment, rejoicing in truth, and enduring. Paul wrote it to a divided church to show that love matters more than spiritual gifts or status.
Is 1 Corinthians 13 about marriage?
It is often read at weddings and applies beautifully to marriage, but Paul originally wrote it to an entire church about how believers should treat one another. Its picture of love fits every relationship: friendships, families, workplaces, and church communities.
How can I love like 1 Corinthians 13?
Start by receiving God’s love, since his love for us came first (1 John 4:19). Then choose one quality from 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (ESV) to practice with a specific person, ask the Holy Spirit for help, and confess when you fall short. Love grows through daily choices.
Keep Reading
- Explore more: Bible verses about love
- Read more daily devotionals
- The narrow way: what the narrow gate means (Matthew 7:13-14)
- Related: our devotional: Devotional on Envy
- Related: read: Devotional on Comparison
- Related: our devotional: Devotional on Patience