The twelfth description of covenant love in I Corinthians 13 is that charity “beareth all things.” This is one of the simplest yet weightiest phrases in this marvelous passage on covenant love. What did Paul mean when he said that love bears all things?

On the surface, this English word seems to be synonymous with “endureth.” Many people who quote this verse mistakenly assume that to “bear all things” means that a husband or wife needs to learn to “bear” or “put up with” any sort of circumstance. But Paul addressed that idea later when he wrote in the same verse that love “endureth all things.” The “bearing all things” is something entirely different from “putting up with” something!

The Greek word rendered here as “beareth” is στέγω (stego). Literally, stego means “to cover (as with a roof)” or “to conceal” as in a positive sense of protection. A builder who thatched a roof in the ancient world would use this word in his trade. He was sheltering the house with a covering that would shield the interior of the dwelling from the sun and the rain. In a similar way, an armorer would cover a frame with a protective coat of metal or hardened leather to shield the wearer on the day of battle.

When Paul wrote that love covers all things, he was saying that love covers in order to protect. The following are some practical ways that husbands and wives can “bear all things” for one another in the context of marriage:

Love carries secrets in silence

There are certainly times when secrets need to be revealed. But there are other times when secrets need to be “borne” or covered. A husband should not go around telling private matters that might embarrass his wife. Likewise, a wife should not gossip or talk about matters with friends that ought not to be shared. Many marriages have been strained when a husband or wife unwisely spills a secret that should be carried silently.

Love covers faults with grace

Similar to armor that covers a vulnerable place, strong love covers vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and faults. A wise husband or wife will endeavor to help his or her spouse grow in sanctification by patience and Biblical encouragement. To expose a spouse’s character flaws to others in order to bring shame and subsequent change would be wrong. A loving husband graciously “bears” his wife’s character flaws, praying with her and encouraging her to grow in Christlikeness. A loving wife “bears” the weaknesses of her husband, being careful not to expose him to the ridicule of others, while praying for him and encouraging him as he seeks to live a victorious life as a Christian husband and father.

Love controls emotion with meekness

True love does not vent anger and passion in an uncontrolled way. The power of the Holy Spirit should check our passions and our frustrations so that we “bear all things” with a spirit of meekness. When a geyser bursts, it vents elements which have built up pressure deep underground to the point that a dramatic display of steam and boiling water gushes forth. True love is not like a geyser! Rather, it is like a powerful stream flowing consistently, faithfully, and evenly under the control of God’s Spirit of meekness.