"Love Suffereth Long, and is Kind.".
I. We have here brought before us the two sides, the passive and the active sides, of a loving disposition. "Love suffereth long." It is perhaps remarkable that this feature should be presented to us first of all, as if suffering, enduring some trial, were a matter of course. It reads us a lesson as to the kind of world in which we Christians have to live. The true Christian knows, and will know, no limit to his endurance. It is not his good fortunethat he can put up with this or that much of provocation, but it is his principle to do it. He practises and prays over it, and he goes and does it. Some of the noblest victories which the Church has seen of habitual forbearance and unfailing longsuffering have been hard victories, gained over a rebellious and unkindly disposition; battles for right, and won by men, with whom they were indeed battles, with whom, not only their own propensities, but friends around them, and the world in which they were dwelling, placed barriers almost insuperable against their exercise of this first of Christian graces. One Christian who thus reflects his Master's image calm and unbroken will win more souls to Christ than ten of those who hate the sinner by discountenancing the sin.
II. "Love is kind." The word by which this is expressed is a somewhat remarkable one. It signifies, in its simple and first meaning, "practises rendering of service," "practises kindness," and that sort of kindness which is good and profitable and cheering and consoling. So that this kindness of which it is said, "Love suffereth long, and is kind," is no mere blandness of manner, nor soothing tone of voice, though these naturally enter in as part of such kindness; but it is a willingness to be serviceable and to help others, an easiness of access, an easiness of being entreated, and genial, open, sunny presence, not repelling, not precluding application for help. All have it in their power to suffer long and to show substantial kindness.
H. Alford, Quebec Chapel Sermons,vol. vii., p. 150.
References: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. J. H. Thom, Laws of Life after the Mind of Christ,2nd series, p. 121; E. Gifford, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxvii., p. 113; E. J. Hardy, Ibid.,vol. xxxiii., p. 153; Clergyman's Magazine,vol. iii., p. 93. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. B. Jowitt, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxi., p. 392.