Here, Paul emphasizes love’s protective nature. The Greek word translated as “protects” literally means to cover, suggesting that love provides a protective barrier, holding up under pressures and difficulties and keeping out negative influences that might undermine relationships. Love’s protection means it is willing to suffer for others, regardless of fault.
The biblical Hebrew word “Kaphar,” often translated as “atonement” in English, is primarily understood to mean to cover or conceal. This interpretation suggests that atonement involves covering sins, thereby shielding the sinner. If atonement implies that sins are merely covered, it indicates that the sins exist but are hidden from view, enabling the sinner to evade punishment. This notion is echoed in verses such as Psalm 32:1, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered,” and Psalm 85:3, “You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins.” In the New Testament, this concept of covering reaches its zenith, where it is said that “love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8), emphasizing how Jesus’ atonement covers our sins.
The phrase “always protect” (or “bears all things” in other translations) can be understood to mean that love protects or covers others from harm, evil, abuse, or threat. The Greek word “stego” means ‘to cover closely,’ ‘to bear up under,’ ‘to protect,’ or ‘to conceal.’ This implies a sense of shielding or safeguarding others from adverse circumstances. In the context of love, it suggests that love involves a protective element, looking out for the well-being of others and defending them—and ourselves—against harm.
In the original context of Paul’s message to the Corinthians, a community experiencing significant internal strife and division, often including gossip meant to hurt others, the admonition that “love protects” would have served as a reminder of love’s capacity to endure wrongs and maintain commitments through adversity. Rather than highlighting the flaws of others for the sake of shaming them, love seeks to shield and preserve their reputation. It was an encouragement to the community to not give up on each other, to remain steadfast in love even when faced with challenges, and to protect the unity of the community.
Jesus encountered numerous challenges, from His disciples’ misunderstanding and doubt to outright hostility and betrayal by those he came to bless. Despite these hardships, he responded with compassion and steadfast dedication to His mission. The ultimate demonstration of his protective love was his choice to endure the crucifixion, providing salvation and covering the sins of humanity.
For us today, “love bears all things” calls for similar resilience and protectiveness in our relationships. It challenges us to stand by those we love in times of trouble, support them through their struggles, and shield them from harm whenever possible. This kind of love asks us to be strong for others, offering our strength not as a means of control but as a form of support and protection.
In practice, embodying this aspect of love means maintaining commitment and loyalty even when tempted to walk away. It means working through conflicts instead of avoiding them, standing up for loved ones when they are vulnerable, and continually fostering a safe and supportive environment where every member can thrive. Just as Jesus provided a covering of grace for our failures, we are called to cover each other’s faults with love, understanding that true love is marked not by how little we need to bear but by how much we are willing to endure.
This article is from my book, “The Theology of Love: Christianity’s Most Underrated Doctrine.“
