The Qualities of Love, Lesson 6

The Qualities of Love, Lesson 6

True Love is not Rude!

1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” NKJV

I think the idea here is crude speech or behavior that embarrasses the opposite sex, or family, or friends.  The Greek word for rude used here is askemon- (a-scheme>echo) i.e.: schemes to provoke, or repeating crude behavior or speech to provoke embarrassment.  Therefore it cannot be accidental.  In the most general sense, Paul is talking about behavior that shows due respect.  Due respect for elders.  Due respect for the opposite sex.  Due respect for children (I am highly offended over movies for children with profanity in them, especially when the children are doing the cussing.)

This is commonly called good manners, etiquette, or charm.  How long has it been since you met someone who was sincerely charming?  I found a great example of “good manners” in Adam Clarke’s Commentary.  First he said, “It’s true that some people behave like ill-bred, boorish hogs.  I must apologize for using such words; however, they best express the evil against which I wish both powerfully and successfully to declaim.” 

Are good manners obsolete?  No!  For 2 reasons:

1.      People still appreciate them

2.      The Bible requires them of us.  Christians are not crude!