February 21

“Love suffereth long, and is kind.” 1 Corinthians 13:4

Paul knew only too well how easy it is to let loose, as from tinkling cymbals, a torrent of empty words. His own words were never empty, for he himself affirmed, “We believe, and therefore also we speak.” It is quite easy to teach the truths about love which are found in this chapter, and perhaps even memorize the chapter to impress our hearers, but in the case of the writer we know that he wrote, not to impress, but from his heart.

The Corinthians had said many critical things about him. He talked a lot, but his words were unworthy of their notice. He wanted their money. but his own status was in question. He was not even a divinely commissioned apostle at all. And he was always vacillating: first he was coming to them, and then he wasn’t. Paul listened to all these criticisms—and what did he do? He responded only with the kind and patient love of which he writes here so beautifully.