1 Corinthians 13:6- “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”

Extended Explanation

This verse makes a strong contrast between what love does not do and what it does do.

• “Love does not delight in evil” – True love does not take pleasure in wrongdoing, injustice, or sin. It does not find entertainment in things that are harmful, nor does it celebrate when others fall into sin. Love does not enjoy gossip, revenge, or anything that causes harm to people.
• “Love rejoices with the truth” – Real love is built on truth. It celebrates honesty, integrity, and righteousness. Love thrives in what is good, right, and pure.

This verse reminds us that love and truth go hand in hand. Love is not about tolerating sin or ignoring wrongdoing. Instead, love is joyful when truth prevails.

Historical Context

The Corinthian church had many moral and relational struggles. Some members were tolerating sin, even in extreme cases (1 Corinthians 5:1-2). There were divisions, lawsuits between believers, and pride in sinful behavior. Paul needed to remind them that real love does not celebrate sin—it grieves over it.

In the broader Greek culture, entertainment often involved immoral acts, such as gladiatorial games, pagan festivals, and idolatrous celebrations. People found enjoyment in things that went against God’s moral standards. Paul’s words would have challenged both the church and the culture around them.

At the same time, truth was often distorted for personal gain. Some people manipulated others with false teachings, while others excused sinful behavior. Paul made it clear that love is rooted in truth—truth about God, about morality, and about how people should treat one another.

Theological Implications

This verse teaches that love is not just about emotions—it is about moral integrity. Love does not ignore sin or make excuses for it. Instead, love desires what is true and right.

• Love and righteousness go together. Love cannot exist apart from truth. If someone claims to love but tolerates or participates in sin, that is not real love.
• Love does not celebrate evil. This applies to personal sin, injustice in society, and the harm done to others. True love grieves over what is wrong.
• Love finds joy in truth. Love is excited when righteousness is upheld, when honesty prevails, and when people live according to God’s ways.

Many people today believe that love means accepting everything without judgment. But this verse shows that love does not celebrate sin—it rejoices when people walk in truth.

Literary Analysis

Paul uses a strong contrast in this verse:

• “Does not delight in evil” – This phrase implies that love is not entertained by sin, nor does it take pleasure in wrongdoing.
• “Rejoices with the truth” – This phrase means that love is filled with joy when truth and righteousness are upheld.

The structure of this verse highlights that love is not just about avoiding evil; it is also about actively seeking and celebrating what is good. Love does not just reject sin—it rejoices in what is true and right.

Biblical Cross-References

• Psalm 5:4 – “For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome.”
• Proverbs 8:13 – “To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.”
• John 8:32 – “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
• Ephesians 4:15 – “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse challenges Christians to consider what they find joy in.

• Do we find entertainment in things that promote sin? Many movies, TV shows, and social media content celebrate immorality, violence, and dishonesty. Love does not find pleasure in these things.
• Do we celebrate when people fall into sin? Sometimes, people take satisfaction when someone they dislike fails. This is not love.
• Do we rejoice when truth is upheld? Love is happy when justice is done, when people live with integrity, and when righteousness is honored.

A Christian’s love should not be passive. It should be active in pursuing truth, rejecting evil, and encouraging others to walk in God’s ways.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God is the source of all truth and righteousness. His love is pure, and He never takes joy in sin.

• God does not delight in evil. He does not ignore sin or excuse wrongdoing (Habakkuk 1:13).
• God rejoices in truth. He desires people to live in truth and righteousness (Psalm 33:5).
• God’s love is both just and merciful. He does not celebrate sin, but He also offers grace to those who turn to Him (1 John 1:9).

God’s love is not about accepting everything—it is about leading people toward truth and righteousness.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus perfectly lived out this kind of love.

• Jesus did not delight in evil. He grieved over sin and called people to repentance (Luke 19:41, Mark 1:15).
• Jesus rejoiced in truth. He taught that truth sets people free (John 8:32).
• Jesus confronted sin but offered grace. He told the woman caught in adultery, “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11).
• Jesus loved righteousness. He lived a perfect life and called His followers to seek God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:33).

Jesus’ love was not passive acceptance—it was a love that pointed people to truth.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Are there things in your life that you find joy in, even though they go against God’s truth?
2. How can you make sure your love aligns with truth rather than excusing sin?
3. Do you rejoice when righteousness is upheld, or do you stay silent in the face of injustice?
4. How can you lovingly correct others when they are living in sin while still showing grace?
5. How does Jesus’ example challenge the way you love others and pursue truth?

This verse is a reminder that real love is not blind acceptance—it is a love that rejects evil and embraces truth. Love must be guided by what is right in God’s eyes.