Daily Bible Verse

TODAY’S DAILY BIBLE VERSE

First Corinthians chapter 13 verses 4 through 7: “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

VERSE CONTEXT
The apostle Paul (Pawl) wrote the First Epistle to the Corinthians while he was in Ephesus (Ef-uh-suhs), likely around A.D. 55. Paul’s purpose in this letter was to correct various problems within the Corinthian church, a church he had personally planted during his second missionary journey. Corinth was a wealthy, cosmopolitan city in Greece, but it was also infamous for immorality and rampant divisions, both cultural and spiritual. The church in Corinth struggled with factions, sexual immorality, misuse of spiritual gifts, and improper worship practices. In chapter 13, Paul shifts his focus to the supremacy of love (charity), teaching that even the most spectacular spiritual gifts are meaningless without genuine love. This chapter serves as the heart of Paul’s teaching on what it means to live as Christ’s body, putting others ahead of self.

The key word in this passage is “charity,” which is the King James Version’s translation of the Greek word agapē (ah-gah-pay). Agapē refers to the highest form of love—selfless, sacrificial, and godly love. This is not romantic or friendly love, but the kind of love God shows toward humanity and commands believers to show to each other. Strong’s Concordance defines agapē as “affection, good will, love, benevolence,” but within the biblical context, it carries the weight of divine love that seeks the best for others regardless of personal cost.

Let’s examine a few significant phrases. “Suffereth long” comes from the Greek makrothymeō (mak-roth-oo-meh’-o), meaning to bear patiently, to endure offense without retaliation. “Vaunteth not itself” translates perpereuomai (per-per-yoo’-om-ahee), meaning not boastful or bragging. “Rejoiceth not in iniquity” comes from chairei epi adikia (khahee-reh’ ep-ee ad-ee-kee’-ah), meaning love finds no joy in wrongdoing, but rather, as Paul says next, “rejoiceth in the truth”—synchairei tē alētheia (soon-khahee-reh’ tay al-ay’-thi-ah), meaning love celebrates truth and righteousness.

Paul presents love not as a fleeting feeling, but a constant, active choice to put others first, rooted in the very character of God. In a church obsessed with status and self-promotion, this teaching would have been a direct rebuke.

BROADER CONTEXT
Chapter 13 is nestled between Paul’s teachings on spiritual gifts (chapter 12) and orderly worship (chapter 14). This placement is deliberate. Paul is teaching that no matter how gifted believers are—whether they prophesy, speak in tongues, or possess great knowledge—without love, these gifts are empty. First Corinthians chapter 13 elevates love as the necessary foundation for all Christian living and service. Paul’s emphasis on agapē love connects to Jesus’ teaching in John chapter 13 verse 35: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” This chapter also serves as a bridge between the vertical love of God for His people and the horizontal love believers must show each other.

The broader message of First Corinthians as a whole is a call to unity, holiness, and selflessness in the face of division and pride. Corinth’s believers were ranking themselves by spiritual gifts, wealth, and status, but Paul dismantles that mindset by showing that love—true godly love—defines spiritual maturity far more than gifts or status ever could.

APPLICATION

Appreciating God’s Greatness
These verses remind us of the sheer beauty and perfection of God’s love. Every attribute Paul lists is fully embodied in how God loves His people. God suffers long with our failures, His kindness is undeserved, and He rejoices in truth while showing us mercy. When we grasp that God’s love is not based on our worthiness but on His character, we are left in awe. Romans chapter 5 verse 8 reinforces this truth: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” His love bears all our burdens, believes in His divine purpose for us, hopes in our redemption, and endures every rebellion until the day of our salvation or final judgment.

For the Believer
This passage is both comforting and convicting for followers of Christ. It comforts because it reveals how God loves us—patiently, kindly, without arrogance, and without holding grudges. Yet it convicts because it sets the standard for how we are called to love others. Believers are not merely invited to love like this; we are commanded to. John chapter 15 verse 12 says: “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”

Call to Action
Ask yourself: Is my love patient or impatient? Kind or sharp-tongued? Do I rejoice when others fall, or do I rejoice in truth and righteousness? This passage calls us to reflect on how we treat family, friends, church members, and even enemies. Choose today to demonstrate agapē love—not just when it’s easy, but especially when it’s hard.

For the Unbeliever
If you have never trusted Christ, these verses offer a glimpse into the kind of love God has for you. This love is not earned. It is not based on your performance or goodness. It is a free gift offered through Jesus Christ. First John chapter 4 verse 9 declares: “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.” God loves you with perfect, patient, forgiving love—a love that led Christ to the cross on your behalf. If you’ve ever wondered if anyone could truly love you, the answer is here. God does, and He invites you into a relationship with Him through Jesus Christ.

FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT
First Corinthians chapter 13 verses 4 through 7 is not just a description of love—it is a reflection of God’s very nature. As you meditate on these verses today, let them challenge you to love more like Christ, and let them comfort you with the truth that you are already fully loved by Him. Whether you are struggling in relationships, wrestling with forgiveness, or simply feeling unloved, remember: God’s love suffers long, is kind, and bears all things—including you.

You are loved, so much in fact that we want you to know and be Believers of Biblical Truth.

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Believers of Biblical Truth

At Believers of Biblical Truth, we are wholly committed to preaching the unfiltered, uncompromised truth of God’s Word. Our ministry, firmly grounded in scripture, relies on the guidance of the Holy Spirit—not the influences of a sinful world. As we present the Bible’s teachings, we do so in the spirit of 2 Timothy 3:16, which reminds us that “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Through each message, we seek to present the truth in a way that is faithful to God’s inerrant Word and pleasing in His sight, guided by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, as instructed in John 16:13: “Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth.” Our sermons are not designed to entertain or tickle ears; they are solemn presentations of God’s direction and commands for our lives. In today’s world, where truth is often distorted to fit human desires, we emphasize reliance on the Holy Spirit and scripture alone. We heed the warnings of Ephesians 6:11-12 to “put on the whole armour of God,” that we may “stand against the wiles of the devil,” choosing to remain steadfastly in the Word, rejecting Satan’s deception, and grounding ourselves in God’s eternal truth. We believe in using scriptural authority to address life’s toughest issues, with an unwavering dedication to God’s truth. Each sermon is followed by a round-table discussion where our dedicated team addresses questions with the utmost care, ensuring that every answer reflects God’s wisdom. We invite all who are seeking clarity to email us at thebbt2021@gmail.com, where questions are welcomed, encouraged, and answered thoughtfully by our team. This ministry is a place for growth, correction, and alignment with God’s Word, as we strive to fulfill the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) by spreading the gospel boldly. We recognize the Bible’s call not to engage in foolish arguments but rather to focus on edifying one another and upholding the truth. As 2 Timothy 2:23-24 counsels, we are to “avoid foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they do gender strifes,” and to serve as “the servant of the Lord,” who “must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.” The Bible’s truths are absolute, not subject to human desires or interpretations. We stand by the conviction that “truth is not hate,” even if it brings discomfort. Hebrews 4:12 reminds us that “the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword,” and we believe that its power should be wielded in love to draw others to the cross, not as a weapon of condemnation but as an invitation to eternal life in Jesus Christ. In a world often at odds with the gospel, we are compelled to preach the unchangeable truth, recognizing that the only relationship of lasting value is our relationship with Jesus Christ. Our virtual church is enriched by the insights of great theologians who have profoundly influenced Christian thought, including Calvin, Wesley, Gill, Henry, Luther, Edwards, Ellicott, Spurgeon, Baucham, Grudem, Barnes, Clarke, Benson, MacArthur, Graham, N.T. Wright, Keener, Fee, Bruce, McKnight, deSilva, and Sproul, along with others who have faithfully articulated the gospel. Though we rely on these wise voices, our foundation remains the Bible itself, and we uphold the teachings of those who reinforce its truths. Stay connected with Believers of Biblical Truth for regular teachings and discussions: Facebook: facebook.com/believersofbiblicaltruth Blog: fromthecrosstothechristian.wordpress.com At Believers of Biblical Truth, we are here to spread the gospel with clarity, conviction, and reverence. Prepare to be challenged by God’s Word as we seek to “walk in truth” (3 John 1:4) and draw closer to Christ in spirit and in truth.

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