The Excellent Way of Love – Part 2
This is a continuation from the previous article dated December 15th, 2019. You may have noticed that I didn’t get into definitions of the various Greek words that are often all translated simply, “love”. The reason for this is that I want the context of the scripture to paint the picture of love. Of course the word used in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians in the 13th chapter is “agapé” and is defined by vine’s as follows: [Christian love, whether exercised toward the brethren, or toward men generally, is not an impulse from the feelings, it does not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered. Love seeks the welfare of all, Rom. 15:2, and works no ill to any, 13:8-10; love seeks opportunity to do good to all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith, Gal. 6:10]. The love that God has is serving, (Matt. 20:28), and sacrificial (Eph. 5:2; Heb. 7:27, 9:26).
Now as we continue, let’s note that, “love does not envy” (1 Cor. 13:4b). I remember the words of Solomon who wrote, “A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones.” (Prov. 14:30). According to Pilate, the governor, the Jews delivered up Jesus to be crucified because of envy. Pilot said, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy” (Matt. 27:17-18). It was the reason Joseph was sold into Egypt (Acts 7:9)
Webster “painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage”. Thayer’s: “absolutely, to be heated or to boil (A. V. to be moved) with envy, hatred, anger: Acts 7:9; Acts 17:5…1 Cor. 13:4; Ja. 4:2…”
Envy is not compatible with Christian, “agapé” love. Thayer further defines this love saying, [affection, good-will, love, benevolence: “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” John 15:13; “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” Romans 13:10 and “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” 1 John 4:18]. “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another” (Rom. 12:10). I can’t see envy in the love being described by the apostle, I can see the kind of love that requires us to desire to see our brother honored before and above ourselves. Anyone who is envious (jealous) of his brother’s abilities or accomplishments, is lacking Godly love. Sadly, too often some just cannot stand others who excel them whether on the job, at the factory, in the office, or within the working of a local congregation. Sometimes those of us who preach Christ are seen as harboring “professional jealousy” by some. Sadly, when a man excels in the work of an evangelist and is used more extensively throughout our great brotherhood there will always be some who take what are usually called “pot shots” at him in an attempt to “bring him down a peg.” But we must all remember brethren; our light will not shine any brighter by envying our brother or by attempting to put his light out! If you harbor feelings of envy in your heart, you need to repent and work to overcome this, for without the proper love we cannot be pleasing to our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 13:1-3). Eliphaz rightly says, “For wrath kills a foolish man, and envy slays a simple one” (Job 5:2). Envy can cause one to contradict and even blaspheme the truth (Acts 13:45). Paul said carnal and mere men will have, “envy, strife, and divisions” among them (1 Cor. 13:3) Paul also said “envy” will keep one from inheriting the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:21). In his letter to Timothy Paul made it clear that a brother who is, “proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words” generates “envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions” (1 Tim. 6:4). James said, “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there” (James 3:16).
Next Paul said of love, “love does not parade itself” (1 Cor. 13:4). We could say that anyone who loves as God loves is not going about boasting. One who loves as God loves doesn’t go about bragging about himself. The opposite of this godly love is a person who is so proud of themselves that they cannot be pleasing to the Lord, nor do they make very good company. This person is always right, and never interested in the thoughts and opinions of others. It is very difficult to abide with one who is puffed up with his own importance. The Apostle wrote, to the Romans, “…to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Rom. 12:3b).
We all need to consider how we love, and look at ourselves often in the mirror of our soul, that is God’s word, and if we come to realized that we are such a person; Be aware of this fact: It is noticed by your brethren, and more to the point, it is known by your Lord and He is the one that is judging you both now and in the end (John 5:22; 12:48).
So, we can say that godly love demands we be on the lookout for ways to exalt others, as opposed to knocking them down, and find ways to show our appreciation to them for their part in the work. You may just be surprised at how much enjoyment and peace results from this kind of love. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), and this applies to love as well as physical things.
Love “does not behave rudely” (1 Cor. 13:5). When our hearts are governed by the same Spirit, the right kind of love will be seen in our behavior in times of disagreements or conflicts. When our hearts are governed by the same Spirit love guides every Christian to display respect for others and never behave uncivilized or rudely.
The word [aschémoneó] comes from asxḗmōn, “without proper shape, form”, that is to act unseemly (literally, “improperly”), unseemly, behave unbecomingly: The idea is to behave in an ugly, indecent, unseemly or unbecoming manner. To be ill-mannered or rude. The signs of an individual who behaves rudely will be insensitivity concerning the feelings of those around him and thoughtless about how he is impacting them. Rudeness will almost always damage a relationship between two individuals. This does not reference something done inadvertently and then corrected as one becomes aware of it, no, this expression is talking about someone that just does not seem to care about anyone else but themselves.
This like any other sin, must be excised spiritually from manner of life, from our walk within and without of the assemblies. That is to say, if we won’t accept it from the pulpit, we cannot accept it anywhere else. Rudeness will never serve to create pure and lasting relationships; It will only sever them. Whether unintentional or intentional we must be always be on our guard against being rude. We need to be careful that insensitive or boorish behavior does not creep into our relationships, for it will only destroy them and us.
As always, in Love
Dave Scarpino
“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” (1 John 4:16)