1 Corinthians 13:7 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Beareth all things, &c.— The twelfth character of love is, that παντα στεγει, it coveteth all things, as the word should undoubtedly be translated; for otherwise this character would be the very same with the last in this verse, παντα υπομενει, endureth all things. See 1 Peter 4:8.—Because the merciful man rejoiceth not in iniquity, neither does he willingly make mention of it. Whatever evil he sees, hears, or knows, he nevertheless conceals, so far as he can, without making himself partaker of other men's sins. Wherever, or with whomsoever he is, if he see any thing which he approves not, it goes not out of his lips unless to the person concerned, except where the interests of the church of Christ essentially require it,—if haply he may gain his brother. So far is he from making the faults or failings of others the matter of his censure or conversation, that of the absent he will say nothing at all, if he can say nothing good. A tale-bearer, a backbiter, a whisperer, an evil-speaker, is to him like a murderer. He would just as soon take away his neighbour's life as thus murder his reputation: just as soon would he think of diverting himself with setting fire to his neighbour's house, as of thus scattering abroad arrows, fire-brands, and death, and saying, Am I not in sport? He makes only one exception. Sometimes he is convinced, that it is for the glory of God, or, which comes to the same, the good of his neighbour, that an evil should not be covered. In this case, for the benefit of the innocent, he is constrained to declare the guilty; but he always in this instance acts with the greatest care and caution, lest he should transgress the law of love by speaking too much, more than he would have done by not speaking at all. 13thly, Love believeth all things. It is always willing to think the best; to put the most favourable constructionon every thing: it is ever ready to believe whatever may tend to the advantage of any one's character: it is easily convinced of what it earnestly desires,—the innocence or integrity of any man; or at least of the sincerity of his repentance, if he has once erred from the way. It is glad to excuse whatever is amiss; to condemn the offender as little as possible; and to make all the allowance for human weakness which can be done, without betraying the truth of God: and when it can no longer believe, then, 14thly, love hopeth all things. Is any evil related of any man? Love hopes that the relation is not true; that the thing related was never done. Is it certain that it was?—But perhaps it was not done with such circumstances as are related; so that, allowing the fact, there is room to hope it was not so bad as it is represented. Was the action, apparently, undeniably evil?-Love hopes the intention was not so. Is it clear the design was evil too?—Yet it might not spring from the settled temper of the heart, but from a start of passion, or from some vehement temptation, which hurried the man beyond himself; and even when it cannot be doubted that all the actions, designs, and tempers, are equally evil; still love hopes that God will at last make bare his arm, and get himself the victory; and that there shall be joy in Heaven over this one sinner that repenteth. Mean time, 15thly, it endureth all things; whatever the injustice, the malice, the cruelty of men can inflict, love is able to endure. It calls nothingintolerable; and never says of any thing, "This is not to be borne." A true believer can not only do, but suffer all things, through Christ that strengtheneth him.