Love never gives up (στέγω/stegō, 1 Cor 13:7). If we take stegō to mean bear, stand, or endure, we would follow the NLT. This would speak of love’s ability to bear a heavy burden without collapsing into hatred, despair, or cynicism. Paul uses the term in that sense elsewhere, when he notes that he “would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ” (1 Cor 9:12). If we take it to mean cover, pass over in silence, keep confidential, or fend off, we would follow the NIV with the idea that love won’t drag out the faults of anyone. Rather, love draws a veil of silence over another person’s shame and sin (1 Pet 4:8). In either case, love would rather mend a break than exploit it, quietly exhort rather than publicly denounce. Rather than blasting hellfire, love would always prefer to apply the healing balm, no matter how much forbearance that requires.
Posted in Biblical Theology, New Testament, Pneumatology