The Christian Distinction

Whenever we tell people that we are Christians, they will form certain expectations about our character. Thankfully, most of these expectations involve good qualities, such as being peaceable, kind, magnanimous, honest, and truthful.

If we were asked to sum up the Christian’s distinction in a single word, the best answer would be charity or love. In a master-disciple relationship, the principal objective of the disciple is to develop the characteristics of the master.

Believers were first called Christians in Antioch because they wanted to identify with their Master, Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26). Since God is described as love (agape) in 1 John 4:8, it is imperative that all Christians possess the attributes of love as a distinctive component of their character.

The Chapter on Love

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers to address various contentions among Christians in the church (1 Cor 1:11).

These involved several issues, including matters of discipline, baptism, leadership preferences, legal disputes, food offered to idols, church practices regarding the Breaking of Bread, and the proper use of the spiritual gifts of tongues and prophecy by believers.

Guided by the Holy Spirit, Paul ministered to the believers with deep pastoral care. In chapter 13, he exhorts them to pursue love as the greatest Christian virtue (1 Cor 13:13, 14:1). The apostle places it as an essential characteristic, elevating it above all the highly desired spiritual gifts available to men (1 Cor 13:1-3).

Unlike a mere panegyric (a speech of high praise) on particular virtues these teachings on love strike with double force against the enemy seeking to disturb the Assembly. Love stands above the mastery of all languages, above the ability to interpret and prophesy, and above the understanding of all truth; without it, even the noblest philanthropy and martyrdom are in vain.

With love, Christians are fully equipped to overcome the trials that will invariably crop up time and again. Therefore, Christians of the past, as well as those today, must be reminded that God is love, and this is the true Christian distinction.

If you read 1 Corinthians 13 in the KJV Bible, it famously concludes: "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." Since the KJV Bible was translated, the word charity has undergone a semantic narrowing (a process where a word's meaning becomes less general). Therefore, for the sake of clarity in this article, I will use the word love instead of charity.

However, the reader must keep in mind that love in this context refers to camaraderie, kindness, compassion, goodwill, worship, and tenderness. It does not refer to love connected with physical passions and desires, such as lust or romantic attraction.

Readers who desire a deeper understanding of this semantic narrowing can read the appendix at the end of this article.

The Characteristics of Love

When we say a person has love, it means they possess its various attributes in varying degrees. Christians are advised to build upon their faith and become more like Christ. Since God is love, those attributes of love in our lives must be continually developed and enhanced.

1 John 2:6: He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk, even as he walked. The Lord Jesus' motivations and actions were entirely guided by love.

2 Peter 1:5-8: And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The attributes of love are listed in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Do not be discouraged if you are unable to attain all of them perfectly. The only person to ever display all these attributes fully is our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Nevertheless, even though we may not reach absolute perfection, all believers should aspire to embrace these qualities as much as possible in their character, because love is the Christian’s distinction.

The Attributes of Love

1. Long-suffering

The Greek word for long-suffering is makrothumei, which literally means "long temper." We are all familiar with the term "short-tempered," and long-suffering is its exact opposite.

If a person's spirit is fully imbued with an affectionate devotion toward God and man, they are not easily thrown into bitter resentment; they are "slow to wrath."

We must remember that even a small family pique (a feeling of irritation or resentment), if left unchecked, can overthrow an empire! A sobering example of this is Moses when he was tested in the wilderness (Num 20:1-12). A single moment of brashness denied him the opportunity to enter the Promised Land.

It is wise to keep in mind the scriptural counsel to resolve our anger before the sun sets (Eph 4:26).

2. Kind

Kindness is the quality of being tenderhearted and genuinely concerned for others. This should characterize Christian conduct in spirit and in action toward all people, without selfish motives.

Kindness is often best manifested in how we deal with ungrateful people. While we must be wise when dealing with such individuals, believers should never respond to ingratitude with hatred or vengeance.

In Romans 5:8, the supreme example is given: God demonstrated His love for us by dying for us while we were still sinners—and effectively His enemies.

3. Unenvious

The secular world thrives on intense competition. Public interest in the Olympic Games is a prime example, where nations are pitted against one another in a 100-meter race, football, or volleyball.

At the everyday level, the stakes may be lower, but the intensity is just as high. People constantly compare themselves to one another in schools, offices, churches, and even within families.

Although it is healthy to benchmark achievements for self-improvement, excessive comparison becomes negative when it breeds envy—a destructive form of jealousy meant to tear others down.

When you possess true love, you avoid envy and instead celebrate the goodwill and success of your peers. An envious spirit stems from discontentment, which Christians are wisely advised to avoid. In 1 Timothy 6:6, we learn that godliness is tied to a spirit of love, and when we are content with what God has given us, we have no reason to envy others.

4. Vaunteth not itself (Not Boastful)

A person who possesses love has no desire to vaunt (boast about) themselves. The natural, fleshly inclination is to brag about personal achievements. The spiritual man, by contrast, possesses a meek spirit and considers others better than himself (Phil 2:3).

True meekness begins in the heart (Prov 16:5-6). It is an unwholesome disposition for Christians to boast about their abilities or accomplishments, because the truth is that whatever we have—whether intelligence, strength, eloquence, or wealth—has been given to us by God (1 Cor 4:7).

When love is present, we care about the well-being of others and consider how our actions might make them feel insecure or miserable. In 1 Samuel 1:1-8, Peninnah’s boasting over her many children caused Hannah to weep bitterly. A charitable person would have been far more discreet. To put it practically: if you own a Ferrari, perhaps you shouldn’t use it just to show off at church!

Consider God’s wisdom in how He designed creation: He deliberately conceals the most vital elements of our survival. The blood that sustains our life is modestly hidden inside our bodies, and most people do not give it a second thought until something goes wrong.

5. Not puffed up (Modest)

At first glance, being "puffed up" sounds identical to the boastfulness mentioned above. However, a closer examination reveals a distinct difference. Boasting (vaunting oneself) involves bragging about actual possessions or achievements.

Being puffed up, on the other hand, refers to someone who has achieved very little, yet exaggerates their status to an enormous proportion to gain unearned recognition and put others down. A puffed-up person has no qualms about showing off at the slightest opportunity.

When the Apostle Paul ministered to the Corinthian church, many false teachers were puffed up over their limited spiritual gifts, deceiving the believers into thinking they were superior to the apostles (2 Cor 11:18-20).

Though Paul preferred modesty, he was forced to address and dismantle these inflated claims. It saddened Paul to have to defend his own spiritual understanding and divine revelations, but it was absolutely necessary to refute the false accusations that he was inferior.

He had to unmask their arrogant character because, if left unexposed, these false teachers would have led the believers astray. The motivation behind boasting and exaggeration is an unhealthy, self-centered mind that has no regard for the spiritual well-being of others. If this pernicious behavior had not been corrected, the profound truths in Paul's letters might have been discarded entirely.

6. Doth not behave itself unseemly (No Improper Conduct)

To behave "unseemly" means to act improperly, in a way that does not conform to God’s original design. When God created the world, He made everything "very good" (Gen 1:31). It was His intention that all creation should behave in a seemly manner—properly reflecting His love in action.

Unseemliness only entered the world when Adam sinned against God, depraving the human mind and causing improper actions to take root. When the apostle states that love doth not behave itself unseemly, it means that a loving person's actions are proper and right in the eyes of God.

The Lord Jesus was the perfect display of seemly conduct. His behavior was flawless in every situation, whether He was eating with publicans, speaking gently to the woman caught in adultery, calling humble fishermen to be His disciples, or reaching out to touch a leper (an act deemed unclean under the Law) in Mark 1:41.

This proper conduct is beautifully manifested in the following ways.

• Seeketh not her own (No Self-Interest in Conduct)

A busybody who constantly pries into other people's affairs is generally a self-centered person. Why should someone delight in broadcasting that a neighbor’s child failed his exams? Sharing another person's misfortune reveals a self-seeking tendency; it is a veiled way of saying, "My child, who got a grade E, is better than yours who failed."

Furthermore, a critical, rebellious attitude toward authority—whether in government, the workplace, the church, or the family—stems from self-interest and a desire for self-promotion. It is common in public gatherings to hear armchair critics claim that the Prime Minister or church leadership should do this or that. Implied in these comments is the arrogant notion: "If I were in that position, I would do a much better job." 

 

Yet, in Romans 13:1-3, we are exhorted to submit to governing authorities, knowing they are ordained by God. A refusal to do so reveals an unseemly, self-seeking character. Love helps us look at others as better than ourselves and causes us to prioritize the welfare of others (1 Cor 10:24). 

 

Regarding the welfare of others, I once saw a notice in a restaurant. It reminded patrons to think of the hungry in the world, noting that they could choose a small, medium, or large portion of rice for the exact same price. It advises patrons who couldn't finish a large portion to choose a smaller one and not waste the food.

 

• Not easily provoked 

Provocation is a deliberate action meant to incite anger or violence. When the Lord Jesus hung on the cross, He was subjected to incredibly provocative statements. The soldiers mocked, "If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself," and one of the crucified criminals railed at Him, saying, "If thou be Christ, save thyself and us." 

 

Yet, Jesus—the very embodiment of the God of love—endured these provocations patiently and asked His Father to forgive them, because they did not understand what they were doing. 

 

• Thinketh no evil 

We frequently hear people cynically dismiss a good deed by saying, "He is only doing that benevolent act to gain praise from men." The tendency to sit in judgment of other people's motives is a very common fault, and it rears its ugly head more frequently in casual conversations at home than anywhere else. Whenever this happens, it should be nipped in the bud. 

 

The love that "thinketh no evil" is a rare and highly desirable trait. Because the mind is the source of all our actions, an unwholesome mind will eventually manifest unwholesome behavior. 

 

Love teaches us to guard our thoughts and focus only on what is pure, as Paul writes in Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." 

 

• 7. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth 

A true hallmark of love is the utter abhorrence of all forms of iniquity, whether found in a friend or a foe. Iniquity refers to the premeditated twisting or distorting of what is right to suit a selfish purpose, which ultimately culminates in sin. 

 

The unregenerate (spiritually unchanged) man naturally rejoices when he sees his enemies suffer from iniquitous actions. However, this should never be the case for a believer, as we are commanded to love even our enemies (Matt 5:44). 

 

Rejoicing in the truth seems obvious to most people, whether saved or unsaved. Unfortunately, "truth" is often subjectively interpreted in the secular world; a truth in one nation's interpretation can be viewed as a falsehood by another, which is precisely why nations go to war. 

 

Believers, however, rejoice in the Word of God because it is the absolute truth (John 17:17). A Christian who does not cherish God's Word as revealed in the Bible manifests a distinct lack of love. Those who ignore God’s words or practice a "cut-and-paste" obedience are standing on perilous ground. 

 

 

8. Beareth, believeth, hopeth, and endureth all things 

"All things," in this context, naturally refers to all godly and righteous things. We do not believe in lies, idolatry, or the vain philosophies of the world's elite. 

When we speak of enduring, we are referring to the trials of life. These trials generally fall into two categories: those that happen through no fault of our own, and those brought on by our own misdeeds. 

 

When innocent trials come our way, love gives us the strength to bear, believe, hope, and endure through them. Joseph is a magnificent example of this. He was sold into slavery by his own brothers and later falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and thrown into prison. Yet, throughout these immense trials, he never lost his hope in God, serving as a timeless testimony to the power of love.

 

9. Charity never faileth 

God, in His grace toward us, promises that believers who embrace love will never fail. To pursue love is to pursue God Himself, since God is love (agape). 

 

The Bible is filled with examples showing that when someone embraces the qualities of love, they never truly fail. Naaman cast aside his pride, humbled himself, and was healed of his leprosy. Job bore his intense sufferings patiently and was beautifully restored. 

 

We could easily add Daniel and his three friends to this list; even while living in a hostile, pagan land, they trusted God’s Word completely. They defied the king’s dietary commands, choosing to abstain from unclean food, and their faithfulness made them healthier and stronger than all the rest. 

 

Scripture teaches us that when we truly follow the Lord Jesus Christ, even death loses its sting. The offering of the life of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross is history's greatest manifestation of love—and love never failed, for He was triumphantly resurrected by God on the third day. 

 

1 John 3:18: My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 

 

With God’s Blessings, 

CL

Appendix: Semantic Narrowing in the Word "Charity"

All twenty-seven books of the New Testament (NT) were originally written in Greek. The earliest widely used translation of the NT into the Western church was in Latin. The Greek word used for love in 1 Corinthians 13 is agape, which the Latin translators rendered as caritas.

The Latin language has two primary words to distinguish types of love:

• Amor: Often used for natural, emotional, or romantic/erotic love.

• 
  

• Caritas: Used to describe a high-valued, sacrificial, and "dear" kind of love (which English translators rendered as charity).
  
  

The ancient Greek vocabulary is even richer, utilizing several distinct words to capture nuances that the single English word "love" often blurs together:

Greek Word	Type of Love	Is it found in the New Testament?
Agape	Divine, sacrificial, unconditional love	Yes (Used extensively)
Philia	Deep friendship, brotherly affection	Yes (e.g., John 21:15-17)
Storge	Natural family/parental affection	Rarely (mostly as a compound word)
Eros	Romantic, passionate desire	No (Not used in the NT)

When the Authorised King James Version of the Bible was published in 1611, the word love was already a common English word. However, the translators deliberately chose to use the word charity in 1 Corinthians 13 to clearly distinguish this sublime, divine love from common, earthly affection.

In 1611, charity described an action deeply connected to the internal spiritual state of the person performing it:

• The Action: Giving goods to the poor (almsgiving).

• The Internal State: Charitas (charity)—the divine love that motivates the outward giving.

In the centuries following the publication of the KJV, the word charity underwent a significant "semantic narrowing." This linguistic process occurs when a word that originally represented a broad, general concept becomes synonymous with just one of its specific, highly visible manifestations.

Because charity was most visibly expressed through helping the poor, the modern definition narrowed almost exclusively to the outward act of financial or material aid, losing its original connection to the overarching concept of divine love.