Love Beareth all Things

Title: Love Beareth all Things                      Text: I Corinthians 13:7

Introduction: Read I Corinthians 13:1-8a – We now come to verse 7 where we turn from “some resounding negatives to some glorious positives (Morris pg.185).”

I. The meaning of “Beareth all things”:

Paul used Stego 4 times in his writings: I Corinthians 13:7; I Thessalonians 3:1,5; I Corinthians 9:12

Beareth: Stegei – Literal Greek “all things covers” – “To cover (as a roof) The meaning is either to cover in the sense of to protect as a roof or to bear up as to support as a roof – or to endure, forbear” (LKNT).

“‘Beareth,’ the word here means that which excludes things. It is the idea of and umbrella that you put up and invite someone to its shelter from the beating rain. It is the roof put over the head. Love acts as a roof over other people, shielding them form the storm as it sweeps” (G.C. Morgan p.165).

Love protects in all things by covering, like pulling up the blankets on a cold morning to make sure your beloved stays warm. We have the phrase in our language, “I’ll cover for you!” Whatever the hardship, difficulty, attack, trial, the loving person is there to help, not only to back you up but to be a shield – a roof of protection in all things. Love enduringly protects and covers the beloved in all things.

Caution: This does not mean “Make excuses for someone.” In a loving act to protect someone from himself you sometimes have to confront a sinful attitude or practice that will hurt or destroy that person.

II. Bible examples of love that enduringly sought to protect others:

A. Paul – 2 Timothy 3:10-12

B. Our Lord Jesus Christ – Hebrews 12:2-3

III. Bible examples of love that did not enduringly seek to protect others: Amnon II Samuel 13:

IV. Developing a life of enduringly protecting others in love:

Realize that others have a need of your enduring protecting love, then be willing to do it!

A. When you are daunted by the task say with Paul: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13).

B. When you are fearful remember Paul’s challenge to Timothy, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2Timothy 1:7).

C. When you have a lack of resources remember Paul’s challenge to the Corinthians, “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

D. When you lack wisdom follow James’ admonishment, “let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering . . .”(James 1:5-6).

E. When you fail remember the Proverb, “For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: . . .” ( Proverbs 24:16)

F. When you are weary remember Paul’s encouragement to the Galatians, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).

Conclusion: Love enduringly protects others. Example: Christina watching out for Tammie