First Corinthians chapter 13 is the great chapter on agape love. Paul concludes his description of this greatest gift by saying that love "bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things" (v. 7). What does this tell us about love?

Bears all things. The Greek word for bear means "to protect or preserve by covering." Love does everything it can to cover the sin and shame of the person who is loved. "And above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins'" (1 Peter 4:8). Love does not ignore sin. It warns, rebukes, and chastens as needed, but the first impulse of love is to protect as much as possible.

Believes all things. We live in a world in which it is easy to become cynical. We can program ourselves to think and expect the worst in everything and everyone. Love is just the opposite. Love is anxious to give the benefit of the doubt. Love is not gullible or naive, but until it has evidence to the contrary, its first impulse is to believe and expect the best in others.

Hopes all things. Even when belief in a loved one is shattered, love holds out hope for the best. When it runs out of faith, love holds on to hope. Love refuses to take failure as final. As long as there is life, love holds out hope.

Endures all things. Love does not give up. It stands up against all odds and opposition. Love never stops loving. John tells us Jesus loved His disciples "unto the end" (John 13:1). He knew they would forsake Him, but He never gave up on them.

Because of this, Paul goes on to affirm the fact that "love never fails" (v. 8). Indeed, love is the greatest gift of all.