1 Corinthians 13:4 - Agape Love

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud.
1 Cor 13:4 (NIV)

Love; The Greek for this word indicates a selfless concern for the welfare
of others that is not called forth by any quality of lovableness in the
person loved, but is the product of a will to love in obedience to God's
command. It is like Christ's love manifested on the cross. [NIV SB]

"Love," the higher type of love, which recognizes something of value in the
person or object that is loved; love that is based on principle, not on
emotion; love that grows out of respect for the admirable qualities of its
object. This love is that which is seen between the Father and Jesus (see
John 15:10; 17:26); it is the redeeming love of the Godhead for lost
humanity (see John 15:9; 1 John 3:1; 4:9, 16); it is the special quality
demonstrated in the dealings of Christians with one another (see John 13:34,
35; 15:12-14); it is used to signify the believer's relation to God (see 1
John 2:5; 4:12; 5:3). Love for God is shown by conformity with His will;
this is proof of love (see John 2:4, 5). . . . .This "love" (agape) must
not be confused with that which is sometimes called love, a quality composed
largely of feeling and emotion that has the center in self and the desires
of self. Agape centers the interest and concern in others and leads to
appropriate action. [SDA Commentary]

Our society confuses love and lust. Unlike lust, God's kind of love is
directed outward toward others, not inward toward ourselves. It is utterly
unselfish. This kind of love goes against our natural inclinations. It is
possible to practice this love only if God helps us set aside our own
desires and instincts, so that we can give love while expecting nothing in
return. Thus the more we become like Christ, the more love we will show to
others. [Life Application SB]

It is impossible to know who and what God is but not exercise His special
love to others. This is the proof of a person's walk with God.  Love, in
this passage, is absolutely not human.  The human heart is a complete
stranger to the kind of love described here. The definition for God's agape
love can be found in John 3:16, it is self-sacrificial in nature; in I
Corinthians 13, agape love is patient, kind, not jealous, doesn't brag,
isn't arrogant, doesn't act unbecomingly, doesn't seek its own, isn't
provoked, doesn't take into account a wrong suffered, doesn't rejoice in
unrighteousness but in truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes
all things, endures all things and never, never fails. And last, agape love
has Almighty God as its source.  Love is not God, God is love. We cannot
exercise this love without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If you
don't see it in your life, ask God for it today and be prepared for a
radical change in your life.  [In His Time; Walk with Wisdom]