The fifteenth description of covenant love in I Corinthians 13 is that charity “endureth all things.” Endurance is the inner strength granted by the Holy Spirit to bear up under the severest of trials and hardships. The Greek word chosen here by Paul is ὑπομένω (hupomeno). It is derived from a preposition and a root verb; combined they mean literally “to abide underneath.” 

Endurance enables us to keep on abiding, even when we are underneath the crushing weight of troubles that life may bring. In the context of marriage, endurance is that quality that allows the marriage to stand strong “for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.” 

Love endures in the midst of financial loss

Many couples who start out their married life with the prospect of a secure financial situation can find themselves later facing severe financial strain. For example, unforeseen circumstances can lead to the loss of employment. Unwise incurring of debt can lead to financial bondage. Even after years of marriage, a formerly successful business venture can fail, and risky investments can lead to ruin. 

In our uncertain world, no one can be sure of gain. Will your love endure when poverty stares you in the face? Traditional marriage vows include the important phrase “for richer, for poorer” for good reason. Financial stress can strain a marriage, but it cannot break covenant love because “charity endureth all things.”

Love endures in the midst of physical disability

Sooner or later, the ravages of time or disease will leave their marks on the one you love. Paralysis, traumatic injury, rare diseases, and chronic skin conditions can leave a once attractive face or body disfigured or marred. 

Will you continue to love your handsome bridegroom or beautiful bride when physical disability mars the face and body that you cherish? Are you willing to push your beloved spouse in a wheelchair the rest of your life or tend to your loved one’s other physical daily needs that he or she is incapable of doing? Will your love endure then? True love “endureth all things.” Resolve now that “in sickness and in health” you will love your spouse with an undying love.

Love endures in the midst of mental decline

More difficult than physical decline is the emotional toll that mental decline can have upon a marriage. Some wives or husbands suffer from diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer’s. These diseases can advance to the stage that the person is not able to recognize or even say the name of the one closest to them in all the world. 

Have you resolved now with your spouse that you will keep on loving, keep on cherishing, and keep on serving, even when there is no hope of any return for your love? Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her when she was unable to do anything for Him in return! True love can keep on loving in these situations because “charity endureth all things.”

Love endures in the midst of aging and death

Sooner or later, death is coming, even to the brightest and most lively of marriages. If charity “endureth all things,” then charity also endures “till death do us part.” From the first kiss in the joy and excitement of youth to the last tender meeting of lips on the deathbed, resolve now that your marriage will endure all things because it is cemented forever by covenant love.