Love Never Ends

One of the most beloved passages in all of Scripture is Paul’s reflection on love:

“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”
(1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

We often hear this passage at weddings, and it is beautiful and fitting. However, Paul was actually writing these words to a church. Biblical scholar Catherine Taylor comments:

“Though [Paul] presents an ideal seldom attained by any community, his very words uplift and inspire. The love outlined here is what Paul wants the Corinthians to show toward one another in all their behavior, so that they might experience such love themselves. We, too, experience and are sustained by the love we are able to show others.”

This truth applies in every aspect of life—whether in our marriages, our families, or our church communities. Love is not simply a feeling; it is something we practice, something we grow into, something we offer again and again.

Today, may we strive to reflect the love that God so graciously shows us.

Let us pray: God, You are patient; You are kind. You are not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. You do not insist on Your own way. You are not irritable or resentful. You do not rejoice in wrongdoing, but You rejoice in the truth. You bear all things, hope all things, endure all things. You never end. Loving God, teach us to love as You love. Amen.