Love That Lasts

In English, we’ve only got one word for love. I can say “I love my wife” and five seconds later say “I love tacos.” Same word. Same tone. Totally different meanings. But in Greek, the language of the New Testament, they had several words: eros for romantic love, philia for friendship love, and agápē—the big one. Selfless, sacrificial love that says, “I’ll put your needs ahead of mine no matter the cost.”

That’s the word Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 13. And here’s the kicker: he didn’t write these words for a wedding ceremony. He wrote them to a divided church that was competing for recognition, flaunting their gifts, and tearing at the seams. Right in the middle of their mess, Paul says, “Here’s a better way: agápē love.”

He makes it clear that without this kind of love, nothing else matters. Eloquence? Empty noise without love. Knowledge and faith? Worthless without love. Even generosity and sacrifice? Nothing without love. Power without love is just spiritual showmanship. You can win debates and still lose people. You can give big and still gain nothing. Without love, all our efforts collapse into nothingness.

Then Paul paints a picture of what this love looks like: patient, kind, humble, unselfish, forgiving, truth-loving, enduring. This isn’t romantic affection—it’s gritty, daily, relational love inside the body of Christ. It looks like showing patience to the coworker who tests your limits. Kindness to the neighbor who ignores you. Forgiveness toward the family member who hurt you. Endurance in relationships where it would be easier to quit. This is church love. This is Christ’s love.

And here’s the good news: Jesus lived this love perfectly. While we were still sinners, He died for us (Romans 5:8). He endured the cross, bearing our sin, to give us a new heart that can actually love like this. On our own, we fall short. But in Christ, we’re forgiven, filled with His Spirit, and freed to love others with His love.

So here’s the challenge: examine your motives. Are you serving, speaking, and giving from love—or from pride, habit, or self-interest? Then practice the verbs of love. Pick one from Paul’s list and live it out this week. Finally, measure your life not by how impressive your gifts look now, but by how much love will endure into eternity.

Because without love, nothing matters. But with it—everything lasts.