From ancient times, poets and songwriters have asked and/or answered the question, “What is love?” A popular song by the group Foreigner in the 1980s was titled “I Want to Know What Love Is.” The author’s friend, who is a popular Christian artist, John Elefante, answered with a song titled “This is What Love Is.” John Elefante quoted 1 John 3:16 in his song. The apostles who saw and learned love from Jesus Christ defined love through the Spirit in the New Testament.
Apostle Paul describes love with seven positive adjectives and with seven negative predicative adjective phrases. The positive adjectives are patient, kind, keeps no record of wrongs, rejoices with the truth, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. The negative predicative adjective phrases are does not envy, does not boast, is not proud, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered, and does not delight in evil.
The list could be added to. Paul limited himself to these because some are clearly references to the Corinthian congregation’s heart infection. Paul wanted the believers there to change their ways. God’s grace is revealed. They had a chance to change. Now I know. I can now change too. Love expressed starts with a God revelation and continues with my choice to do.
