1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 Charity suffereth long, and is kind…. [King James translation]
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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 hope always perseveres. [New International translation]
Summary
1 Corinthians 13 is part of the epistles (i.e. letters) to the church in Corinth. The Apostle Paul went to Corinth on one of his missionary journeys. It was one of his “stops.” Acts 18:1 notes that Paul left Athens and went to Corinth, where he met a number of people (a Jew named Aquila and his wife Priscilla) and where Paul spoke at the synagogue regularly.
As a guide to the early Christian churches, Paul engages in a number of discourses on topics. Many refer to 1Corinthians 13 as Paul’s discourse on “love.” However, if you were to ask many born prior to 1960, they probably remember 1 Corinthian as a discourse on “charity,” because the King James translation uses the word “charity” while many modern translations of this scripture use the word “love.” When one thinks of “charity” one usually thinks of “giving.” or “helping.”
Whether you think of 1 Corinthians as the scripture on “love” or “charity,” it is probably no mistake that the writers, who Paul identifies in 1 Corinthians 1:1 as himself and Sosthenese1, 1 began the discourse with “Charity [or Love] is patient.”
If you think about CHRIST “giving” HIS life for humanity, despite all of humanity’s continued imperfections, and that HE did this out of love for me and you, it is perhaps easier, to see the connection between “giving” (charity), love and patience. Despite humanity’s failure to “do the right thing” over and over again, right up to the present, CHRIST still gave HIS life. GOD showed an extraordinary amount of patience on the cross for us, while we were yet sinners, in suffering and dying for us on the cross. HIS was long-suffering.
CHRIST’s love was love “in action.” HE gave. HE healed. HE interacted with people. Often when the disciples or others were trying to rush HIM--- keep HIM from taking time to talk with a woman no one else would have talked with,2 or keep HIM from spending time with children,3 or dealing with people outside his borders,4 or spending time with someone everyone else rejected, JESUS stopped and interacted with them anyway.5 CHRIST took time to be with people, minister to them, acknowledge them, and love them. HE gave of himself, HE was patient, kind, not easily angered, not self-seeking.
JESUS’ love was action, time, giving, caring, and sacrifice. HIS giving of HIMSELF was love.
LOVING, GIVING and BEING PATIENT WITH YOURSELF
It is important to be patient with yourself and love yourself even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Some of the ways WebMD suggest we can stay mentally and physically active and engage in self-care, include the following health activities:
- GET OUTSIDE – Going outside and walking in green spaces, but still maintaining social distancing—staying at least 6ft away from anyone you don’t live with, can often boost a person’s mood, help with depression and keep high blood pressure at bay.
• GET MORE THAN 5,000 Steps a Day –Move around your home, pace while on the phone, march in place while watching TV or listening to the radio can be helpful in avoiding an inactive lifestyle. - BE ACTIVE THROUGHOUT YOUR DAY—Try to avoid just sitting, if possible, all day. If you are at a computer all day, set an alarm to get up and move every hour. Try to replace some of your sitting with standing. Plan short breaks during the day (e.g. go for a walk, play with your child or pet or do an exercise video).
- TEXT or CALL SOMEONE – It is still important to stay connected to friends, family, and neighbors, while you are socially distant. You don’t want to be socially isolated. Call a loved one, mail an encouraging note, or set up a group chat. Social connection helps with self-esteem, lowers your anxiety, and helps keep your emotions even.
- LIMIT NEWS or SOCIAL MEDIA—If you feel more anxious after listing to news stories or scrolling through social media, set limits for yourself. Check the news only once a day or choose certain days to check social media.
- TAKE TIME to RELAX—Take a long bath or shower, sip tea in the afternoon, start an evening wind-down where you listen to music or engage in another relaxing activity.
- GIVE and RECEIVE HELP – Don’t be afraid to ask for help (whether groceries or someone to talk to). If you don’t know where to go, reach out to your church, your community, or your physician, or a friend. Give financially, donate to food drives, send a care package to a friend, ask an older neighbor if they need anything if you are heading to the store. Helping others helps you feel better.
- TRY SOMETHING NEW – Try a new hobby---there a number of on-line videos and websites to learn anything from art to gardening, to astronomy to coding. Research has shown that hobbies can be good for your health.
- SET GOALS – To help you stay focused and give you a clearer purpose during these uncertain times. Don’t make them too hard and don’t beat yourself up if you have to put some of them on hold. Set goals within reach so you do something each week or every day.
- GO EASY on YOURSELF—This may not seem like the productive season of your life, and that’s OK. Give yourself grace and focus on what’s important, keeping you and your family healthy.
- WATCH FOR UNHEALTHY PATTERNS- Look for changes (e.g. are you drinking [alcohol] more, smoking, or engaging in other harmful patterns). If you’re in recovery, reach out to your support group, contact a therapist or others who can help you get back on a healthy course.
- THINK OF THE BIG PICTURE- Remember you are not alone. We truly are all in this together.
See, “Coronavirus: Healthy Actions That Help You Feel Better,” https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/slideshow-healthy-actions-feel-better/
WHAT’s LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?
Today, slow down. Take time to really think about love and what you and I can do to love like CHRIST. If you are feeling anxious or down, engage in some healthy activities that will help you feel better.
Pray---for yourself and others. In terms of the “BIGGER PICTURE,” remember GOD is still in control!
Pray, love, be patient, and BE BLESSED!
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1 Sosthenes was the chief ruler of the synagogue in Corinth. He was seized and beaten by a Jewish mob in front of Gallio, the governor, when Sosthenes refused to turn against Paul (Acts 18:12-17).
2 See, John 4: 27, which notes that even the disciples were surprised when they found JESUS talking with a woman.
3 See Matthew 19:13-14, which notes that when the little children were brought to JESUS to be blessed, the disciples rebuked them and tried to shoo them away, but JESUS welcomed the children to HIM. HE took the time to touch each of them.
4 See Luke 8:43-48. When the woman with the issue of blood touched the “border of his garment,” JESUS, didn’t put up any walls, HE immediately stopped to seek the woman out and despite the incredulity of the disciples that HE would extend HIMSELF so broadly, since there was a multitude of people around HIM, JESUS stopped and found the woman.
5 See Luke 19:1-10. Despite being the chief Roman tax collector,” and despised and low (especially in the social hierarchy of the synagogue) so that he had to climb a tree to see JESUS (and perhaps stay a safe distance away from the crowd), JESUS saw Zacchaeus’ need. JESUS reached out to Zacchaeus and went to his house to fellowship with Zacchaeus.
