Saturday, February 4, 2017

Love - What Is It? (part 2)

Love - What is it, exactly?

I am not going to try to do the whole of verse 5.  I think I tried to cover too much when I shared verse 4.  I will probably go back to that at a later date and break it down even more.

Again, I’m sharing multiple versions of one verse (which I got from BibleHub.com) and sharing definitions of the words used each of the versions (which I got from Dictionary.com)

New International Version
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

New Living Translation
or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

English Standard Version
or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

Berean Study Bible
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs.

Berean Literal Bible
It does not act unbecomingly, it does not seek the things of its own, it is not easily provoked, it keeps no account of wrongs.

New American Standard Bible
does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,

King James Bible
Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
does not act improperly, is not selfish, is not provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Love does not commit what is shameful, neither does it seek its own; it is not provoked, neither does it entertain evil thoughts,

Rude, dishonor, improper, unseemly, unbecomingly, and shameful are examples of what love is not.  What do these words mean?

Rude
-discourteous or impolite - especially in a deliberate way
-rough in manners or behaviors, unmannerly, uncouth
-rough, harsh, or ungentle
-harsh to the ear

So we could say love is
-courteous or polite especially in a deliberate way
-mannerly
-cheerful, pleasant, gentle
-pleasing, calm, or kind to the ear

Dishonor
-lack or loss of honor; disgraceful or dishonest character or conduct
-disgrace; shame
-an indignity; insult
-cause shame or disgrace

So we could say love is
-honoring; graceful and honest in character and conduct
-graceful; without shame
-dignity; approving, kind, respectful
-causes no shame or disgrace
Improper
-not proper; not strictly belonging, applicable, correct, etc.; erroneous
-not in accordance with propriety of behavior, manners, etc.
-unsuitable or inappropriate, as for the purpose or occasion
-abnormal or irregular

So we could say love is
-proper; belonging; without error
-agreeable or correct of behavior, manners, etc.

unseemly
-not seemly; not in keeping with established standards of taste or proper form; unbecoming in appearance, speech, conduct, etc.
-inappropriate for time or place
-detracting from one’s appearance, character, or reputation; unattractive or unseemly

So we could say love is
-decent, fitting, of good taste; becoming in appearance, speech, conduct, etc.
-appropriate for time or place
unbecomingly
-adding to one’s appearance, character, or reputation; attractive or seemly

shameful
-causing shame
-disgraceful or scandalous

So we could say love is
-not causing shame
-graceful and not scandalous

This is huge!  There is no “except” in this verse!  Can you believe it?

We are not to be rude even if we are experiencing PMS or hot-flashes.  We are not to dishonor or be disrespectful even when we are irritable.  If someone is acting in a way that is unbecoming, we are suppose to answer in a way that is becoming.  When someone tries to shame us we are to answer with grace.

Wow.

When we fail and the Holy Spirit brings our response to our attention, what do we do?  Continue because it’s too late?  No.  We stop in our tracks.  We turn from that path and turn toward Jesus, to grace.  We extend grace.

Respect those with whom you disagree.
Speak honorably to those who are standing in line with you.
Speak kindly with those in the “other” political party.
Be polite to those of different religions.

This is love...

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