¹⁴ Do everything in love.

So what does this verse mean? Paul has added five very quick commands to the end of his letter, between discussing travel plans and sending greetings. The previous verse contained four of those: be watchful, or “on guard”, stand firm in faith, act like men of courage, and be strong.

Now he adds this one: Let all you do be done in love. This reflects the profound teaching of 1 Corinthians 13, in which Paul demonstrated how love is superior to the exercise of any spiritual gift. Better, the exercise of any spiritual gift is meaningless without love.

Paul now insists that every single word or action should be motivated by the definition of love he provided in 1 Corinthians 13:4–7. Many of the issues in the Corinthian church that Paul has confronted in this letter would have been quickly resolved if everyone was motivated by that kind of sincere love for each other.

#1: “Do everything…”

All of our conduct, which includes our thoughts, feelings, actions, and inactions. This applies to what we do to Christians and non-Christians alike, to friends, enemies and the homeless.

#2: “…in love.”

The King James Version translates “love” as “charity.” Paul spoke of the meaning of this charity, or Godly love, in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Versus 4-8 should be read as a group to give the full picture of the characteristics needed to exhibit the grace of Godly love, that is with patience, kindness, without envy, without boasting, without pride, without dishonoring others, without being self-seeking, without being easily angered, without keeping record of wrongs, without delighting in evil, always protecting, always trusting, always hoping, always persevering, and never failing.