Theological Emphasis
Love is sanctification's goal and means. The qualities describe what grace produces as we grow toward Christian perfection. Perfect love—patient, kind, enduring—is the heart cleansed of sin and filled with God.
Application Themes
- 1This is what grace is producing in you
- 2Perfect love is sanctification's goal
- 3The heart purified loves like this
Preaching Angles
Sanctification is growth toward this love
Perfect love is possible by grace
The pure heart loves without self-seeking
Key Textual Observations
ἀγάπη (agape) in Greek was uncommon before Christians gave it new meaning
μακροθυμεῖ (patient) is literally "long-tempered"
τέλειον (perfect/complete) in v.10 points to eschatological fullness
Recommended Commentators for This Tradition
- John Wesley
- Phoebe Palmer
- William Greathouse
- Mildred Bangs Wynkoop
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