What Does It Mean to “Pursue Love”? A Powerful Lesson From 1 Corinthians 13
Sabbath School
First and Second Corinthians
A Portrait of Love
Read: 1 Corinthians 13:4–7; 1 Corinthians 14:1
Paul’s description of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 is one of the most beautiful passages in Scripture. He tells us that love is patient and kind. It does not envy or boast. It is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way, is not easily provoked, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love rejoices in truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
Is Paul’s list exhaustive? Probably not. Paul was not attempting to give us every possible characteristic of love. Instead, he was showing the Corinthians what genuine, Christlike love looks like in everyday relationships.
We could add many other qualities to the list. Love forgives. Love listens. Love serves. Love encourages. Love shows compassion. Love tells the truth even when the truth is difficult. Love gives without demanding something in return. Love seeks reconciliation rather than revenge. Love makes room for the weaknesses and struggles of others.
Most importantly, these qualities are not merely ideals. They are seen perfectly in Jesus.
Jesus was patient with His disciples when they repeatedly misunderstood Him. He was kind toward people whom society rejected. He forgave those who mistreated Him. He served others instead of demanding to be served. At the cross, He demonstrated the greatest expression of love by giving His life for sinners.
That brings us to Paul's command in 1 Corinthians 14:1: “Pursue love.”
Notice the strength of that word: pursue. Paul does not simply say, “Appreciate love.” He does not say, “Talk about love.” He says to pursue it.
To pursue something means to intentionally go after it. It requires effort, determination, and direction. Love does not become the dominant quality of our lives accidentally. We must continually choose it.
This is especially important because the Corinthians had become focused on spiritual gifts, status, recognition, and personal importance. Paul wanted them to understand that spiritual gifts are valuable, but gifts without love accomplish very little. The answer was not to abandon spiritual gifts. It was to put love first.
And that connects directly with 1 Corinthians 13:4–7.
How do we pursue love?
We pursue love by becoming patient when patience is difficult.
We pursue love by choosing kindness when someone has been unkind to us.
We pursue love by refusing to keep score of another person's failures.
We pursue love by laying aside our need to always be right.
We pursue love by forgiving.
We pursue love by speaking truth without cruelty.
We pursue love by continuing to hope for people even when they disappoint us.
We pursue love by enduring when relationships become difficult.
In other words, 1 Corinthians 13 gives us a picture of what pursuing love actually looks like.
Love is not merely an emotion we feel. It is a way of living. It is a decision to treat others according to the character of Christ.
That can be challenging because we naturally want to love those who love us. It is much harder to love someone who irritates us, disagrees with us, ignores us, or has hurt us. Yet those difficult situations often reveal whether we are truly allowing Christ's love to shape our character.
We should also remember that pursuing love does not mean approving everything someone does. Biblical love is not weakness, and it does not eliminate truth or healthy boundaries. Jesus Himself could speak firmly when necessary. But even His strongest words were never motivated by hatred or selfishness. His purpose was always connected to truth, redemption, and the good of others.
So perhaps the question is not simply, “Do I love people?”
A better question is: “Does my love look like the love described in 1 Corinthians 13?”
When we become impatient, do we recognize the need for Christ's patience?
When we become angry, do we remember that love “is not provoked”?
When we are tempted to keep a record of someone's mistakes, do we remember that love “thinks no evil”?
When we want our own way, do we remember that love “does not seek its own”?
And when someone disappoints us, do we still bear, believe, hope, and endure?
We cannot manufacture this kind of love simply by trying harder. The love Paul describes ultimately flows from a relationship with Christ. God is love (1 John 4:8), and Jesus is the fullest revelation of that love.
The closer we come to Jesus, the more clearly we see what love looks like. And as we behold Him, we are called to imitate Him.
Today, ask God to show you one area where your love needs to grow. Perhaps it is patience. Perhaps forgiveness. Perhaps kindness. Perhaps learning to listen instead of insisting on being heard.
Then pursue it.
Not because you are trying to earn God's love, but because you have already received His love and want that love to flow through you to others.
A Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for showing us what true love looks like through Jesus. Forgive us for the times when our love has been selfish, impatient, unforgiving, or conditional.
Teach us to pursue love—not merely to talk about it, but to live it. Give us patience when we are frustrated, kindness when we are hurt, humility when we want recognition, and forgiveness when others fail us.
Help us to rejoice in truth, bear difficult circumstances, believe the best when appropriate, hope when things seem discouraging, and endure when love becomes costly.
Make the words of 1 Corinthians 13 more than beautiful words on a page. Make them a description of our lives.
May people see something of Jesus in the way we treat them.
In His loving name, Amen.
More on Lesson 7: A Portrait of Love
3rd Quarter Sabbath School: 1st and 2nd Corinthians
