When the gospel began spreading among the Gentiles in Antioch, the church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to investigate. He could have arrived suspicious, territorial, or critical. After all, something new was happening without the apostles’ direction in Jerusalem.
But Luke records:
“When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord” (Acts 11:23).
Barnabas saw people responding to the truth—and he rejoiced. He did not care who got the credit, who had begun the work, or whether events unfolded as he expected. When he saw God’s grace changing lives, “he was glad.”
That is what love does. Love does not become jealous when someone else succeeds spiritually. It does not search for something to criticize when truth is being taught, and lives are being transformed. Love rejoices whenever and wherever truth prevails.
The apostle John expressed the same spirit: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 4).
This attitude is reflected in the fifteen characteristics of love described in 1 Corinthians 13, where Paul declares that love “rejoices with the truth.” This contrasts with the first half of the verse, which we considered last week: Love “does not rejoice in iniquity” (1 Corinthians 13:6).
The Greek word alētheia means truth, reality, sincerity, or that which conforms to what is real. It is the opposite of falsehood, deception, or concealment.
In the New Testament, alētheia may refer to:
- Truthfulness—speaking honestly and sincerely (Ephesians 4:25).
- Moral truth—what is right and consistent with God’s character (Romans 2:8).
- Divine revelation—God’s Word and the gospel (John 17:17; Galatians 2:5).
- Jesus Himself—the perfect embodiment of truth (John 14:6).
In this context, truth is more than factual accuracy. Because it is contrasted with unrighteousness, it includes everything morally right, good, and consistent with God’s character.
Matthew Henry interprets the phrase as rejoicing in the gospel’s advancement: “It is glad of the success of the gospel, commonly called the truth…and rejoices to see men moulded into an evangelical temper by it.”
Indeed, love rejoices when truth changes someone—even when another person receives the recognition, influence, or spiritual success.
William Barclay offered this memorable observation: “Christian love has no wish to veil the truth; it is brave enough to face the truth; it has nothing to conceal and so is glad when the truth prevails.”
Divine love does not fear truth because it has no selfish agenda to advance, human tradition to uphold, or carnal territory to protect.
Rejoicing in the truth goes beyond enjoying a sermon we agree with. It is more than proclaiming truth; it is practicing truth. Love is glad when truth is taught, believed, and lived.
Sadly, some Christians are eager to defend doctrinal truth but fail to demonstrate the loving conduct that truth demands.
Love rejoices when:
- A sinner repents rather than when a sinner is exposed.
- A marriage is restored rather than when one spouse is proven right.
- A wandering Christian returns rather than when our warning is vindicated.
- Someone else receives praise for doing what is right.
- Error is corrected with the goal of restoration, not humiliation.
- The gospel succeeds through someone whose personality or methods differ from ours.
- Children and grandchildren develop biblical convictions of their own.
- A congregation chooses Scripture over convenience, popularity, or tradition.
Love rejoices when truth is proclaimed, regardless of who preaches it. Even when we have a personal disagreement, a personality conflict, or a different view on another matter, we can be glad when God’s truth is faithfully taught—even if we would have presented it differently.
Love never asks us to choose between compassion and conviction. Genuine love compassionately leads people toward the truth—and rejoices when they embrace it. Love does not merely defend the truth; it delights when truth transforms a life.
In the final analysis, love and truth are partners, not opponents. Truth gives love its moral direction, and love gives truth its gracious expression. When they work together, the gospel is honored, and lives are transformed.
—Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
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