Love suffers long [and] is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a NKJV
At first reading of 1 Corinthians 13:6, it seems that rejoicing in iniquity (or “wrongdoing,” ESV) is the opposite of rejoicing in the truth. But looking a little deeper reveals some interesting things.
First, Paul used two different Greek words for rejoicing. The first is to be glad or have joy; this refers to an individual’s emotion. The second word means to rejoice with or to take part in another’s joy. This kind of rejoicing puts others before self.
Next, the word for iniquity means "unrighteousness" or, more literally, "unrightness." When we commit an iniquity, we’re in a place where we are not in a right relationship with God (and possibly others, depending on what we did).
Finally, the word for truth is frequently used to refer to the truth of the gospel or the truth of God. It’s also used to denote truthfulness (sincerity and integrity) of character.
Putting this all together, I get a deeper understanding of this verse: Love isn’t glad to see people go wrong and end up with broken relationships; love rejoices with others to see them accept the gospel and live according to its truth.
Now put God in place of "love" in our verse for today. Because of His great love for us, God is greatly grieved when we are not right with Him. Whether we know Him and are not living as we should, or we have not met Him yet through Jesus, it breaks God’s heart to have us separated from Him by our sin. When we realize our separation, confess our sin, and accept the salvation of Jesus, God rejoices for us. That joy affects those around Him – there’s a party in heaven every time a person is reborn. We get a picture of this in the account of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32.
“It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.” - Luke 15:32 NKJV
God is a good Father, who desires good for His child, grieves when that child goes astray and rejoices in that child’s joys. Once again, I’m overwhelmed by the thought that God, the Creator of all, cares so much about me that my decisions will affect His emotions.
Think About:
Have you rejoiced in the truth of the gospel?
How have you experienced God rejoicing over you?
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