According to 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, love is …
- Patient – longsuffering, puts up with a lot before it suffers
- Kind – gentle, affectionate
- Not envious – at peace and contentment with others
- Does not boast – does not talk of themselves
- Not proud – humble, does not need to be heard
- Does not dishonor others – to esteem, show respect
- Not self-seeking – encourages others’ best interest
- Not easily angered – not edgy, but soft with others
- Keeps no record of wrongs – no inventory of wrongs done, everyone is a new friend every meeting
- Does not delight in evil – wants good, even to bad people
- Rejoices with the truth – honest
- Always protects – lit. “cover by silence,” or “keep confidential”
- Always trusts – believes in the good of others
- Always hopes – confidence in others’ future
- Always perseveres – continues in spite of set backs
- Never fails – victorious
My interpretation of these verses is, a person who lives in love does not get ruffled, but is gentle, and at peace with others’ successes. The loving are humble, good with being in the background, and highly respecting those around them. They help other people excel, and are not edgy but soft with others. They treat others as if they had never done wrong. They want every ones’ good, and they cover for their weaknesses. It believes people want to be good, is confident in their future, and never gives up on them.