Q: "What does it mean that love always protects" (1 Corinthians 13:7)?

A: Reread through the “love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, cuz Paul here talks about four specific attributes of love that are “always” put into action. The first of these is that love “always protects” (NIV) or “love bears all things” (ESV and NKJV).

The Greek word for “protects” is stegei, which literally means “to cover” and includes the idea of protecting and preserving lives. The word “Protects” shares something with the other three actions of love in verse 7 too (trusts, hopes, and perseveres): in the original language, all four words pretty much end with the same sound, creating a poetic rhythm -- a pleasing phonetic iteration.

Also notice this -- the four “always” statements in verse 7 use the Greek word panta, which corresponds to another four uses of the same term (translated “all”) in verses 2-3. First, Paul mentions four spiritual gifts used to their utmost:

If I can solve all mysteries . . .If I have all knowledge . . .If I have all faith . . .If I give away all I possess . . .. . . but, he says, if I employ these gifts without love, “I am nothing” (verse 2) and no one benefits.

Then, Paul provides the missing ingredient, love. Verse 7 is the counterpoint to verses 2-3, connected by the repetition of panta. 

Love . . . . . . always protects. . . always trusts. . . always hopes. . . always perseveres

God’s type of love protects. That is, it watches out for others. It withstands difficulty. And, if there is a shortcoming or fault in the loved one, love has the ability to cover it (see Proverbs 10:12). Love is not based on selfish desire or even mutual benefit; rather, it seeks the benefit of the other person. Love aims to give rather than receive.

In the Old Testament, God’s protection of Israel was a sign of His love. “Though we are slaves, our God has not deserted us in our bondage. . . . He has granted us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and he has given us a wall of protection” (Ezra 9:9).

The Psalms also highlight the connection between God’s love and His protection. Psalm 68:5 declares God to be a “father to the fatherless, a defender of widows.” Psalm 91:14 also promises God’s protection of those who love and trust Him.

We find a wonderful example of love’s protective nature in the story of Christ’s birth. When Joseph learned of Mary’s pregnancy, he was faced with a choice: “expose her to public disgrace” or “divorce her quietly” (Matthew 1:19). Joseph, being a righteous man, was planning to keep the matter quiet. In other words, he was covering over what he saw as a fault in Mary, and he protected her from public shame. This is love.

One of the marks of love is that it always seeks to protect the loved one. This doesn’t mean that we excuse wrongdoing or seek to evade the natural consequences of sin; it means that we strengthen what is weak, shield what is vulnerable, and forgive what is provoking. Protect from what though?

Hundreds of migrants storm Spanish border and attack police with acid. Happened. Stuff like this keeps happening. Comments? Acceptable to allow? Politicians in office still wanting this invasion.. acceptable to allow?  

London: 4 Shootings in 2 Days, Illegal Gun Factory Discovered.

Bulgaria: Our Country is Now ‘Migrant Crisis’-Proof Thanks to Wall, Border Force.

Young man dies while trying to protect his girlfriend from three ‘Asian’ migrants in Greece.

Got a door at your home? Pull it wide open each night and then kinda doze off?

A top Polish Leader says he’s happy Poland didn’t receive a single Muslim migrant: “It’s a war of civilizations!” He should be. 

EU is terrified of Italy’s right-wing populist government, says ruling party member.

Laura Loomer just asked Amira Dajani a good question (otherwise known as “Amy Fox”, a Republican candidate for State Attorney in FL)..asked her to condemn the PLO Palestinian terrorist organization which her father and her uncle are both tied to. What was the response?

Amira just had Laura thrown out of her Republican meeting!

Let’s shut the door to Uniparty RINO Establishment Republicans as well as to the Democrats. Both won’t help the USA. 

Democrats Want America to Be ‘One Big Fat Sanctuary City for Criminal Aliens’. #WalkAway #DemExit

NETHERLANDS: CAR CARRYING GAS CANISTERS DRIVEN INTO TOWN HALL.

Ein Dorf in Deutschland -- this town ‘unrecognisable’ after it accepted 1,200 migrants.

65 per cent of Scots teenagers don’t want more immigration. Got one reason why they should ..anywhere in the West.. like here in the USA or in Europe?

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Feel kinda worthless or purposeless?  God deeply loves you and has a good purpose for your life. You are not an accident or worthless, nope! 

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It's weird how crazy ideas seem reasonable to Socialists. Not sure why, but ain't gunna let any get me down.. for one moment. Nope. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine..." ~ Proverbs 17:22. 

An inside “happy” that’s also healthy is worth spreading to your friends and family.  

Regardless of the circumstances around you and me daily, we have good reason to rejoice in the Lord (the Prince of peace. The Bible clearly shows He's a protector, a kind Nationalist, not a Globalist) -- have good reason to trust Him who is 100 percent good. He loves you -- come to him just as you are. Now is good.

You were born to worship the Lord and make an impact here. www.Facebook.com/shareJesus

Let’s keep our eyes wide open.. awake spiritually. Yes, watch, pray, obey Him and selflessly serve in connection with a healthy Christian church. Real good idea right? You know it is. Yup, practical too. Wisely protecting your friends and helping them is still noble. Plant good ideas in their minds by true words, kind deeds, believing prayer spawned by real love for God and others....and plant good ideas by being a good example.. consistently. That’s how we can win our unregenerate friends over to the Lord who doesn’t change and loves them just as much. 

What do you love or hate? Or ..who do you really love and how do you know it? Who do you influence and how? In what direction?

In the end, the extent of your influence depends on the depth of your genuine concern for others (or lack thereof), as well as your level of loathing towards everything that would hurt them. Bottom-line, if you don't loathe what destroys people then you don't really love anyone. 

Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. 

2 Thessalonians 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

Galatians 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

Jude 1:22-23 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling [them] out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.

Revelation 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Facebook.com/shareJesus

You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow, Say this: “God, you’re my refuge. I trust in you and I’m safe!” That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you—under them you’re perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. Psalm 91

That's the Message. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’

DWELL in Him

REST in Him

TAKE REFUGE in Him

TRUST in Him

Why? Cuz He is so worthy--100 percent trustworthy! When there's lots of terror out there just remember.. Christ is your hiding place.

Sayin' it, is of course the easy part, but me still thinks it’s indeed my duty to protect innocent people.

Love.. always protects. And it’s the government’s top duty to protect its citizens. This government Admin where I live has failed horribly (elections have consequences) when you and I really want people safe! But am I all alone.. to protect myself?

This is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. (2:19)

If when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. (2:20)

Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless. (3:9)

If you suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. (3:14)

It is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. (3:17)

Rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. (4:13)

If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed. (4:14)

If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. (4:16)

Let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. (4:19)

You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives. (See Luke 21:12–19)

Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (Matthew 10:28)

Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.. Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (Matthew 10:16–22)

Jesus said to [Peter], “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52)

You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. (Matthew 5:38–39)

Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:44–45)

Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11–12)

What do you think of Matthew 5:11–12? We Christians can get sick or be hurt, but we are indestructible until God is done with us here. We are freed by the Holy Spirit to rejoice during persecutions because our hearts have been so changed by Jesus Christ that we are more excited and satisfied in the hope of heaven than in any feeling of revenge or a hope of self-defense. This is the basis of turning the other cheek and of showing love to our enemies. The steadfast love of the Lord is literally better than life (Psalm 63:3).

Do I personally own some effective weapons for protecting my family? Yes indeed. For me hate can simultaneously be there where love dwells in my home. As a father I would quickly chop off the head of a diamond back rattler that got close to my child. If I really love my family, I will hate the evil in evil people that would move to destroying my family members. I can daily pray for and show love to evil people ..cuz I am not to hate them (I’m a sinner as well), but if they go to attacking my family members and friends I will have confidence and peace to quickly stop them. I pray I’ll decern well and go for it with quickness.. if or when the need is there.

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”

“Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.” (Romans 12:9)

“To fear the Lord is to hate evil.” (Proverbs 8:13a)

“You who love the Lord, hate evil! He protects the lives of His godly people and rescues them from the power of the wicked.” (Psalm 97:10)

Jesus “said to them, ‘When I sent you out without money belt and bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?’ They said, ‘No, nothing.’ And He said to them, ‘But now, whoever has a money belt is to take it along, likewise also a bag, and whoever has no sword is to sell his coat and buy one.” (Luke 22:35-36)

“Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition.” That’s an American patriotic song written by Frank Loesser. I like that.. pray believing and act wisely. Yes, I love the practical balance it represents. The song was a response to the attack on Pearl Harbor that marked United States involvement in World War II. It was high time for Americans to step in to stop the evil–to protect the Jews as well and other innocent people Hitler’s armies were slaughtering.

Christ was a practical man’s man, no passive girly-boy or wimp. What a good example when He was thinking of His disciples ahead of Himself and protecting them. When Jesus told the apostles to buy a sword, He was not telling them to become violent aggressors or go get vengeance, but was basically wanting them to be ready to protect the people He deeply loves.

God can protect you--I pray that He will. He wants me to be and act wisely and He can protect me. He can let me be martyred for His glory as well. Who even knows what the future holds? Jesus does. My aim in life is to worship God in Christ, to boldly witness, to edify believers, to do what I can to protect others and to consistently show that Christ is more precious than own life. I really want you protected so you can live and hear the Gospel. Yes, I especially want you protected from eternal destruction aka hell. Heaven is a better option!

God is our refuge and strength. (Psalm 46:1)

My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. (Luke 21:17–18)

God indeed ordains the use of the sword by the state in upholding justice–I pray ours will protect much better with a new leader (1 Peter 2:13–17; Romans 13:1–4). But first!!! Worship. Pray in Jesus for sinners. The reason that we don't pray more for people is because we don't believe that God will answer those prayers. Somehow we buy that lie. But God knows best. He has not let you down. Not even one time and His timing is perfect, flawless, excellent! He is for you and with you there.. not against you, indifferent, or far away.

If we did believe that He answered our prayers no room on earth would be large enough to hold the people praying today. Believers would tactfully witness more and people who know they're messed up inside would decide n get right inside--saved!! Facebook.com/shareJesus
See 1 Corinthians 13  knowGod.org

Why not we get to em first with the truth in order to love and win them to Christ, before the false teachers etc get to em for their own purposes! "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil." #Ephesians5/16

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