Love and Its Companions

The fifteen attributes of 1 Corinthians 13 — and the Hebrew chesed behind them

First Corinthians 13 is not abstract sentiment. Each clause is a different Greek verb or noun, each carrying its own definite meaning. Makrothumeo: a long fuse before anger. Chresteuomai: actively useful kindness. Zelos: jealousy or zeal — the same root, two directions. Stego: covering, bearing in silence. Hypomeno: remaining under load. The Hebrew chesed sits behind all of it — the steadfast loving-kindness God shows when He has no obligation to do so.

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