The eleventh description of covenant love in I Corinthians 13 is that charity “rejoiceth in the truth,” as opposed to the contrasting statement immediately given before—that charity “rejoiceth not in iniquity.” It is one matter to refrain from rejoicing in iniquity, but do you and your wife cultivate together a love that rejoices in the truth?
The Greek word rendered here “rejoiceth” is not the normal form of the word in the first part of this sentence. It is the same root with an intensified prepositional compound, συγχαίρω (sunchairo). The Greek word literally means “to rejoice along with” the truth. True love rejoices when truth rejoices. Love and truth rejoice alongside one another!
How can we apply the mutual rejoicing of love and truth in our own marriages? Let’s consider some ways to practically apply this concept.
Rejoice when honest criticism is given
As we considered in a previous article in this series, true love does not engage in gossip and slander. A loving marriage does not give ear to a spirit of murmuring and complaint. But there is a time and a place when the truth can be spoken in love. In every healthy marriage, a husband must, from time to time, point out to his wife when he observes in her a personal character flaw that needs attention. Likewise, a wife should be willing and able to tell her husband when she observes times that his words and actions may cause offense.
Charity, the Biblical term for “love,” does not grow angry or become defensive when faults in one’s character are pointed out. Rather, charity rejoices alongside the truth. True love graciously and gratefully accepts criticism without blaming, defending, or explaining. The next time your spouse points out one of your character flaws, remember to rejoice alongside the truth and receive the criticism with wise gratitude.
Rejoice when prodigals come home
Many Christian parents have a prodigal daughter or son who has wandered from God or perhaps has cut off fellowship with them. True love keeps on loving, even when close relationships have been strained or tested.
In the parable of the prodigal son, the loving father saw his son returning. He immediately ran to meet him and kiss him. When the son said, “I have sinned,” the father welcomed him home with joy, saying to his servants, “Bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry” (Luke 15:23–24).
If you have a prodigal child who repents, do not lecture your son for his foolishness, nor berate your daughter for her folly. Rather, welcome each one home with joy, rejoicing in the truth.
Rejoice when sin is confessed and forsaken
True love does not hold a grudge. When sin is confessed and forsaken, this confession is the acknowledgement of the truth, and love rejoices. In our human nature, it is so easy to blame and so hard to forgive. Husbands and wives will eventually hurt one another. This pain is a natural part of marriage in a fallen world. But when truth conquers deception and confession is made, there should be mutual joy in the restoration.
Do not hold your spouse on probation after repentance. Rejoice in the truth, and joyfully embrace the restoration of spiritual and physical intimacy.
