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1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (6a)
In 1 Corinthians 13:6a (NKJV) we learn that love, “does not rejoice in iniquity,”. We hear the word “iniquity”, but do we really know what it means? According to Merriam-Webster iniquity means, “gross injustice; wickedness”. A synonym for iniquity that we can most relate to in this Bible study is “sin.” Love does not rejoice in sin. That makes it a lot easier to understand. Love does not rejoice in sin. This word is found mostly in the Old Testament and is a word used to prophesy about Jesus – the suffering servant – in Isaiah 52-53. Isaiah declares in Isaiah 53:5-6, “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, everyone, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
This is a promise that love does not rejoice in iniquity/sin.
This is a wonderful example of why we are to repent/turn from sin when we open our hearts to Jesus and become saved by God’s grace to us in sending His one and only Son to pay for our sins/iniquities – love does not rejoice in iniquities – God is love (1 John 4:8); He does not rejoice in sin/iniquity but desires to save us from it. If God sent His One and only Son to save us from sin/iniquity, then doesn’t it make sense to stop living in it after we realize and understand that this is what God desires for us most of all? Jesus died for our sins/iniquities so that we may be set free from them. God did this because He loves you so much. Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but desires to set you free from it. Put your faith in Jesus today and be forgiven for your iniquities and begin living in the love of God as He has planned for you – in Christ!
Dear LORD,
We thank You so much that Your great love for us does not rejoice in iniquity but that Your great love is so powerful that it cleanses us from iniquity if we will believe in You and accept in sincerity that our penalty for our iniquities has been paid in full by Jesus, who died for us on the cross for this very reason – that You do not rejoice in iniquity, but that You desire to save us from it. Thank You LORD God Almighty and thank You Jesus. In Jesus name I pray, amen.