It Starts Small

Paul has so far given us an amazing and challenging list of what love is:

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, ⁵ is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. ⁶ Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth.

1 Corinthians 13:4-6

Paul then gives for more points to love in verse 7. He starts this with, Love bears all things…

The word bears is our English word for Greek word stegō and means by covering to keep off something which threatens, to bear up against, hold out against, and so endure, bear, forbear. It gives the idea of a roof that covers a house. Built within the idea of this word is a means of protection. A roof protects, shields and guards the people within the house from exposure to outside influences of weather. A roof is designed to shield us from storms. They are designed to protect us from inclement weather, cold, heart, etc.

Paul is giving us a powerful illustration. Just as there are season to our weather, our lives are going to go through many seasons. Not all seasons are going to be pleasurable. Some seasons are stormy and difficult. There will be circumstances that assail us from external attacks. If we do not use our shield of faith, it becomes much more difficult for us to survive spiritually.

Paul says the love we have serves as a protection to you and others. Like a roof on a house, a friend who moves in the love of God will stay near in times of trouble. A friend hoovers over us to protect us from the storms of life. Rather than expose us and our flaws to others, the love of a friend will conceal, cover, and protect us and always be there in times of trouble to lend support and encouragement.

Paul is teaching us that love protects, shields, guards, covers, conceals, and safeguards others from exposure.

Paul is teaching us two practical applications. Love will conceal the imperfections, faults, and errors of others.

A gossip goes around revealing a secret,
but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.

Proverbs 11:13

Love refuses to dwell on or promote that which is negative. We see this in the essence of 1 Peter 4:8:

Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8

Second, Paul is teaching us that love covers others to keep away outside forces that threaten. Love protects, preserves, and sustains by covering. Love keeps out harmful influences, like a roof keeps out water, wind, harsh sunlight. The one who loves will not allow affliction, detriment, insult, offense, or indignity to come upon his affection for others.

Paul also says, in ALL things. This encompasses every season and every circumstance. There is no feasible situation in which genuine love would fail to cover and protect. Love is consistent and true. Love keeps personal matters confidential. When we love others, they should never fear the things they have shared with you will be disclosed to outsiders. They should never have to worry that the conflicts and problems that take place will be revealed to others.

Love does not dwell upon the imperfections, faults, or errors of others. Love covers weaknesses and mistakes and never demands justice, judgement, or revenge. Love quickly dismisses and disregards the negative happenings of another and instead chooses to focus on God within the situation or person.

Ponder: is your love towards other a roof or what put holes in the rooves of others?

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