eDevotion
Encouragement for your daily walk with God
The apostle Paul elevated patience as the premier expression of love. In writing to the Corinthian Christ followers, patience was the first in his descriptive assessment of love. It overshadowed kindness, non-jealous, non-prideful, and a host of other important aspects of love.
The Greek word for patience in 1 Corinthians 13, makrothumeo, is the same word Peter used to describe God’s patience toward people. However, the translators rendered it “long-suffering” [2 Peter 3:9]. It is a very descriptive word meaning, to take a long time to boil.
Think about that for a moment. What is the main factor for the speed of boiling water? Is it the size of your stove? No, it’s the size of the flame. Water boils faster, the higher the flame. It boils slower, the lower the flame. Metaphorically speaking, patience keeps the burner set on low.
Is that a helpful clarification? Patiences is neither oblivious nor naive. It doesn’t ignore irritants. It just keeps the fire low. It waits. It listens. It’s slow to boil. That’s how God deals with us, and how we should deal with others.
Love is patient. 1 Corinthians 13:4
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