The verse 1 Corinthians 13:7 states that “love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” This verse comes in the middle of Paul’s famous “love chapter,” describing the virtues and characteristics of agape love. The word translated here as “perseveres” or “endures” is the Greek word hypomenei, which means to bear up under trials and difficulties patiently and bravely. So what does this verse teach us about the persevering nature of love?
First, it means that true biblical love is tenacious and persistent. Love does not quit or give up easily. Even when loved ones fail or disappoint, love continues and endures. When situations become difficult or painful, love does not just walk away. Instead, it sticks through hard times and bears all things. Love is willing to go through struggles if it means maintaining relationship and connection.
Second, it means that love is patient and long-suffering. Love does not demand instant gratification or give up if it does not get its way quickly. Rather, love waits upon others and graciously endures through seasons of hardship. This kind of love does not rush others to change or meet its expectations overnight. It gives space for growth and change to happen organically through the ups and downs of relationship.
Third, it means that love is courageous and resilient. True love does not let hard circumstances or trials overcome it. Even when rejected, love keeps stepping forward. When hopes are deferred, love waits in confident expectation. Love has a toughness and resilience that withstands stormy trials and keeps moving forward despite opposition. This kind of love is willing to risk hurt for the sake of what is right and good.
Fourth, it conveys that love is sacrificial and selfless. Love is willing to lay down personal rights and absorb pain for the good of others. Instead of demanding to be treated perfectly all the time, love perseveres through misunderstandings and mistakes. It keeps no record of wrongs but instead forgives graciously (1 Corinthians 13:5). This kind of love is more concerned with giving than receiving.
Fifth, it means that love has an eternal perspective. Love perseveres because it sees life and relationships in terms of eternity rather than simply temporary earthly gain. Love operates from the perspective that someday all wrongs will be made right. This empowers love to patiently endure and leave justice and judgment to God (1 Corinthians 3:12-15, 4:5).
How can we gain this kind of persevering love? We must remain connected to God, who is the source of love. “God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them” (1 John 4:16b). As we walk closely with Jesus, the Holy Spirit will pour God’s love into our hearts (Romans 5:5). This love is a fruit that the Spirit wants to cultivate in our lives (Galatians 5:22). As we submit to the Spirit’s work in us, love will persevere even through great trials.
We also gain this kind of love by looking to Jesus as our model of love. He willingly endured suffering and death on our behalf “for the joy set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus’ love never failed, even when humanity crucified Him. His resurrection triumphed over hatred and death. As we fix our eyes on Christ, we gain perspective and draw strength to walk as He walked, loving others amidst pain and rejection.
Lastly, choosing to act in love leads to growth in love. As we step out in small acts of patience, forgiveness, kindness and selflessness each day, we build spiritual muscle memory. With the Spirit’s empowerment, practiced love leads to persevering love. Every time we choose love in hard moments, we become more like Christ.
God desires for all believers to grow in persevering love. This love reflects the very nature of God in a hurting world. As we open ourselves to the Spirit’s work, He will cultivate this fruit daily in our lives. Persevering love ultimately results in joy and connection with others. It also brings glory to God, as others observe His powerful love working through His people.
1. Love bears all things
The first characteristic of love that Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 13:7 is that it “bears all things.” To bear all things means to endure with patience, strength and resilience. This kind of love does not collapse under the weight of trials but has fortitude to withstand hardship. How is this possible?
True biblical love is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Human love in limited. But when God pours His love into our hearts, it takes on a supernatural capacity to bear all things (Romans 5:3-5). The Spirit strengthens our inner being so that we can endure suffering and handle difficulty with grace (Ephesians 3:16-17). God’s power working in us enables us to bear burdens with joy (Colossians 1:11).
Bearing all things is also possible when we maintain an eternal perspective. As Christians, we know our present sufferings are short and light compared to the eternal glory that awaits us (2 Corinthians 4:17). We can endure earthly troubles because our hope rests in eternity with Christ (Romans 8:18). This hope empowers us to patiently bear up under various trials (1 Thessalonians 1:3).
We also gain strength to bear all things when we meditate on Christ’s example. Jesus endured torture and death on a cross, yet responded with forgiveness and love (Hebrews 12:2-3). No pain or injustice we face compares with His sacrifice. When we ponder His incredible love and willingness to suffer for us, it inspires us to patiently bear all things.
Finally, the promise of God’s purpose and presence gives us courage to bear all things. We know God works even painful circumstances for our growth and His glory (Romans 8:28). He promises never to leave us alone but to walk with us through every trial (Deuteronomy 31:6). Because we know our suffering is not meaningless, we can bear it with faith and patience.
While bearing all things is not easy, God provides His beloved children all the resources we need to develop persevering love. As we rely on His Spirit working within us, we gain strength to endure any challenge with grace. Our light afflictions are producing an eternal glory beyond comparison (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
2. Love believes all things
The next statement about love in 1 Corinthians 13:7 is that it “believes all things.” Biblical love is trusting and optimistic about others. How does this work?
First, know that “believes all things” does not mean love is gullible. Love believes the best about people, yet wisdom dictates maintaining healthy boundaries (Philippians 1:9-10).
Next, understand that biblical love gives others the benefit of the doubt. Instead of assuming the worst about unclear situations, love waits to seek clarification before passing judgement. Love takes people at their word and trusts others’ intentions are good unless proven otherwise.
Biblical love also hopes for the best in people, even when overwhelmed by flaws and failures. While seeing reality clearly, love focuses on each person’s divine potential rather than just their weaknesses (Philippians 4:8).
Furthermore, love believes God’s best for people, even when their current actions contradict it. Because love sees others through God’s redemptive lens, it patiently hopes for His restorative purpose to unfold in each life (Jeremiah 29:11).
In addition, biblical love believes God can powerfully work in others the same way He brought change to our own lives. With this mindset, love gently appeals to the “new creation” in Christ within each person rather than condemning their flesh (2 Corinthians 5:16-17).
Finally, love believes that showing grace and forgiveness can influence others for good. While strong boundaries may sometimes be necessary, they should not totally eclipse openness to future change. Maintaining a hopeful posture empowers love to persevere.
Believing the best about people does involve risk and vulnerability. We may sometimes be disappointed. However, cultivating a loving, receptive heart posture allows room for the Spirit to work in others’ lives. Our believing love can be part of the process God uses to transform hearts. As Scripture says, “love hopes all things.”
3. Love hopes all things
In addition to bearing and believing all things, 1 Corinthians 13:7 says authentic love “hopes all things.” How does love maintain hope when facing adversity and imperfection?
First, love hopes in God’s ability to renew and restore. When people disappoint us, love looks to the possibility of repentance, growth and change through God’s power. Instead of catastrophizing failures, love maintains hope in divine redemption.
Second, love hopes in God’s sovereignty. When situations seem hopeless, love trusts that God is still in control working everything for ultimate good (Romans 8:28). Even when we cannot see positive outcomes, we cling to hope that God holds the future and nothing escapes His purposes.
Third, love hopes in God’s uncompromising commitment to finish the work He began. When progress seems stunted, love rests on Scriptural promises that God will carry His transforming work forward to completion in each of His children (Philippians 1:6).
Fourth, love hopes that God will answer its persistent prayers. When change seems slow, love prays unceasingly for God’s Spirit to move in minds and hearts. Such prayers, in line with God’s will, are powerful and effective (James 5:16).
Fifth, love hopes in the promised return of Christ. This eager expectation empowers love to persevere now because it anticipates a future day when all wrongs will be made right and imperfections will pass away (1 John 3:2-3).
Finally, love’s ultimate hope is for eternal relationship with God and His people in a world with no more pain or brokenness (Revelation 21:4). This unshakable hope sustains and strengthens love to press on.
Maintaining hope in the midst of challenging relationships and circumstances is not always easy. However, anchoring our hope in God’s unchanging character and promises gives love courage to persevere until the end.
4. Love endures all things
The final statement about love’s persevering nature in 1 Corinthians 13:7 is that it “endures all things.” To endure means to suffer patiently, without giving up. Biblical love does not collapse under pressure but keeps moving forward despite difficulties or opposition. How is such endurance possible when our human love reaches its limits?
First, we can endure all things through the power of the Holy Spirit. When we feel unequipped to press on, God infuses us with miraculous strength to withstand trials with patience and grace (Ephesians 3:16, Philippians 4:13). His power is made perfect in human weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Second, meditating on Christ’s sacrificial love inspires us to endure. Jesus willingly suffered excruciating pain and death out of love for us. No personal cost we pay compares with His. As we reflect on His incredible grace, it motivates us to love others sacrificially (Hebrews 12:2-3).
Third, maintaining an eternal perspective empowers endurance. All present trials are light and momentary compared to the glorious future God promises for His people (2 Corinthians 4:17, Titus 2:13). Standing firmly on eternity enables us to walk through temporary troubles.
Fourth, our Christian hope fuels endurance. We know God will one day make all things right. This hope strengthens us to press on through current injustices, disappointments or pains (Romans 5:2-5, Romans 8:24-25). Our efforts of endurance are never in vain.
Fifth, recognizing God’s sovereignty motivates endurance. When we do not understand our trials, we can trust God’s perfect wisdom and that He is working all things for ultimate good (Proverbs 3:5-6, Romans 8:28). This brings comfort and courage to keep enduring.
Sixth, God promises to renew our strength when we are weary and worn in enduring love’s challenges (Isaiah 40:31). His Word and Spirit are fountains of refreshment to drink deeply from when tired.
Seventh, our enduring love brings God glory. This big picture perspective helps us embrace present trials for the sake of Christ’s Kingdom (Matthew 5:11-12, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12).
Through the Spirit’s enablement, God equips His people to actively love others with an enduring love. Tough times will come. But as we prayerfully meditate on Christ’s sacrificial love for us, we gain perspective and strength to endure all things.
In summary, 1 Corinthians 13:7 clearly paints a picture of biblical love as tenacious and resilient. Empowered by the Spirit, anchored in Christ and focused on eternity, God grows within His people a love that bears, believes, hopes and endures through every season and circumstance of life. Our persevering love reflects God’s heart to a broken world.
