MONDAY, DECEMBER 3
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Proverbs 10:12

“Charity … Beareth all things.”

WHAT IS LOVE? (IX)

“Charity … Beareth all things.” The verb “beareth” (stegei) has the idea of enduring or holding up against something which threatens (Thayer). In 1 Corinthians 9:12, this verb is used to describe how Paul and his fellow labourers were willing to forbear the threat of the loss of their rights to remuneration so that the work of the gospel might progress. “If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ” (1 Cor 9:12).

Considering 1 Corinthians 9:12, the expression “beareth all things” is best understood as the willingness of a person to forbear all things to help brethren who are spiritually weak or are in sin. He is one who bears in mind Proverbs 10:12: “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.”

To “cover” all sins here does not mean that we should turn a blind eye and condone sin. Rather, it means that we are to forbear all the wrongs and injustices done against us, and patiently reach out to restore the brother that he may turn from sin. We are not to hold a grudge against personal offences but endure the wrong. Thus, Proverbs 17:9 says, “He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.” Proverbs 19:11 adds, “The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.” The wise man forbears the faults of others.

May the Lord help us to exercise patience and forbearance in our relationships, for charity “beareth all things.”

THOUGHT: Love covers a multitude of sins.
PRAYER: Father, teach me what it means to love my brethren.