The Patience of Love

I've been revisiting that lovely passage from 1 Corinthians 13, and stayed awhile on verse 4 

'Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.'

The Greek word used for 'patience' in the New Testament refers to people rather than to circumstances. It describes someone who maybe has it within them to be angry and want some form of revenge against someone who has wronged them, but yet will not do it. 

It is used of God's relationship with humankind, so that must be our model - we must have the same degree of patience with people as God does with us.

Ouch!

But what that also tells us is that it is not a sign of weakness to refuse to be provoked, but rather a sign of strength that shows love victorious over that which challenges it. 

Love is patient, it endures, it loves, it triumphs.