Love is kind

"...love is kind" (1 Corinthians 13:4)

Again, 1 Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul to a church in Corinth. Corinth was a Greek city taken over by Roman rule, but still Hellenistic in culture worshipping the Greek gods. In particular their patron god was Aphrodite (Perrottet, 2012), goddess of love and beauty. Having the goddess of love and beauty over their city, the Corinthian would seem to understand love; but love, sex and relationships are a major theme throughout this letter to the Corinthians because their understanding of these was skewed. In chapter 13 Paul focuses on love, and vv4-8a describe the characteristics of love. The first of these was patience and the second kindness, both of these (alongside love) are also amongst the spiritual fruits mentioned in Galations 5:22-3. That is the characteristics that result from a life empowered by the Holy Spirit, so the Spirit encourages our kindness.

The Greek (the original language of this letter) word for kindness here is χρηστεύομαι (chrésteuomai) which means (according to Strong, 5541) 'to be kind'/ mild/ to prove useful/ gentle/ full of service to others. Kindness is therefore focused on the external in meeting the needs of others. When I think of kindness I think of a few people. I think of my nan; when she goes to the supermarket she always buys chocolate and random food items she really doesn't need so she can give them away to everyone who visits her (and she's quite forceful that you take all of he Iceland spring-rolls). She is not looking for attention from doing so, she just loves expressing her kindness through generosity with food. My father has always impressed me with his kind services, loving to cut people's grass or help out with the DIY when people cannot do-it-themselves. I think of people who have made amazing sacrifices in their lives to become missionaries or work in charitable causes. I think of visiting others when they have been sick or in need of company to just genuinely be with them, and to share life, or just listen to their stories. I think of my boss who has done her friend's washing for years, I remember fellow work-mates who bring in cakes, or a little note written that really cheers someone up. Kindness can be expressed in both the extraordinary and the ordinary. In expressing kindness it costs, and that cost is not always repaid, but it does not count that cost. Instead it is concerned with what the other person is in need of, or would like. Kindness is also gentle (which will tie into the end of v4, "it does not boast, it is not proud"). Finally kindness does not always initially seem it. I remember when my hamster needed putting down that we did the 'kindest thing'? The kindest choice choice is never the easiest choice, but it comes out of a love for others. Instead of obligation, passion for people brings kindness, and as a spiritual fruit we can pray for it as a gift also.

Love is interesting. Money like coal is a finite resource in that the more you use it, the less you have. Love seems more the inverse of this. The more you give, the easier it seems to come. Likewise for kindness. Initially helping, serving or giving kindness is a sacrifice that exhausts, but it renews and becomes easier as it continues. Do you feel stirred towards being kind to anyone or thing this week? What are the needs of those around you and you could aid with a little push? What is your passion, or who do you love, and want to be kind to?

God guide
S

Update:

Since starting this blog I became a Counsellor. You can read more on blog on subjects like Therapy at:

 www.simonslistening.co.uk