Love Is a Verb
June 2, 2022
Loves always hopes. 1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV
“America is an idea. Ireland is a great country, but it’s not an idea. Great Britain is a great country, but it’s not an idea. That’s how we see you around the world, as one of the greatest ideas in human history.” These are words spoken by Bono, Irish musician and activist at a Georgetown University event in 2012. Since then, authors and scholars have applauded the truth in this, but have said that our current issues swirl around much more. America is more than an idea—the idea must translate into choices and action.
The same is true of love. Love is more than a wonderful idea. It is action. It’s a verb. The famous “Love Chapter,” 1 Corinthians 13, describes love in action verbs, and one of the things we learn is that “love always hopes.” This doesn’t mean “love always wishes.” The word translated hope here is used 32 times in the New Testament and means “waiting in full confidence for something yet unseen.” Hope and love are frequently directly connected in words of Scripture, even more so in relationships.
Take the relationship Peter had with Jesus. Jesus loved Peter and that love always hoped. He called Peter to follow Him because He had confidence in Peter’s ability to be a faithful disciple and fisher of men. Despite Peter’s impetuous nature, his foot-in-the-mouth episodes, Jesus loved Him and always had confidence in Peter’s future. He called Peter a Rock, changing his name from Simon to Peter to signify his great faith and confidence in Him. He gave him leadership opportunities and trusted him. Even when Jesus knew that Peter was going to deny Him, He communicated hope and confidence in his potential. He refused to focus on flaws and failures. He told Peter He believed in him—Satan wanted Peter, but Jesus said, “But I have prayed for you, Peter.” He communicated ongoing confidence in his ultimate future. Think of what that must have done for Peter. He was able to be great. Jesus was always confident of it.
Part of mature love is hopefully seeing the potential in others. As Goethe said, “If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.” Love will always be hopeful and show confidence in others. This does not rule out confronting wrongs, but the impact of positive confidence in the potential of another person is incalculable. Love is a lifeline of hope that holds us together. As long as there is love, there is hope.
- Who has loved you with hope and had a positive confidence in your future, no matter what? This person has blessed you with a mature 1 Corinthians 13:7 dose of love. Give thanks.