1 Corinthians 16:14 Meaning of Do Everything in Love

1 Corinthians 16:14
“Do everything in love.”

Explanation and Commentary on 1 Corinthians 16:14

Our thoughts, feelings, actions, and inactions should be done with Godly love towards God and towards others.

Paul gave the church in Corinth the direction for how they should act. They were guilty of bad conduct in a number of ways, one of which was acting in the best interests of themselves and not for the good of the congregation.

Just previous to this verse, Paul had summed up the characteristics of a Christian, using the imagery of a soldier. He said that Christians should be alert to various dangers, be steadfast in your faith, act like an adult, and have a strong will so you can remain pure in the faith. He wanted to make sure that when Christians acted in these ways, they were not rigid or unforgiving, and so he added that all should be done with the grace of Godly love as a motive for their actions.

Whereas in the previous verse Paul spoke of actions, here Paul focused on changing the hearts of the Corinthians. Without changing their hearts, their conduct would ultimately revert to their sinful ways. But more importantly, without love, their actions would fall short of the Lord’s command for us. Paul tells us that the greatest of all the graces is love, greater than faith and hope (1 Corinthians 13:13), and the greatest of all virtues (Colossians 3:14). Peter the Apostle tells us that we should love each other deeply (1 Peter 4:8). John the Apostle tells us that anyone who does not love does not know God because God is love (1 John 4:8).

Breaking Down the Key Parts of 1 Corinthians 16:14

#1: “Do everything…”
All of our conduct, which includes our thoughts, feelings, actions, and inactions. This applies to what we do to Christians and non-Christians alike, to friends, enemies and the homeless.

#2: “…in love.”
The King James Version translates “love” as “charity.” Paul spoke of the meaning of this charity, or Godly love, in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Versus 4-8 should be read as a group to give the full picture of the characteristics needed to exhibit the grace of Godly love, that is with patience, kindness, without envy, without boasting, without pride, without dishonoring others, without being self-seeking, without being easily angered, without keeping record of wrongs, without delighting in evil, always protecting, always trusting, always hoping, always persevering, and never failing.

Expert Overview of 1 Corinthians

Biblical Translations of 1 Corinthians 16:14

NIV
Do everything in love.

NLT
And do everything with love.

ESV
Let all that you do be done in love.

KJV
Let all your things be done with charity.

NKJV
Let all that you do be done with love.

1 Corinthians 16:14 Meaning and Commentary

Author Bio
Natalie Regoli is a child of God, devoted wife, and mother of two boys. She has a Master's Degree in Law from The University of Texas. Natalie has been published in several national journals and has been practicing law for 18 years.