What is the “more excellent way” that Paul was inspired to show?
The Greek word agapé does not always mean divine love as is commonly believed. It can even refer to the wrong kind of love. Men loved darkness (John 3:19), the praise of men more than God (John 12:43), or this world (2 Timothy 4:10). Here we see three cases where the word agapé was not godly love. Just like our English word love, the meaning depends on the context, and that is what this chapter is all about.
1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity [love], I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
Angels speak with men in a human language, but probably use a different form of communication between each other. This is therefore likely hyperbolic. Tongues when used to show off, or for other unloving purposes, are just a noise.
1 Corinthians 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Great preaching, deep insight into God’s revelation, knowledge of the Bible and miracle-working faith are all empty without love.
1 Corinthians 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Giving with unloving motives and loveless martyrdom are both worthless.
1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Long suffering is a great description of patience. Kindness is always called for. Charity is love in action. Envy is the opposite of love. Instead of self-promotion, love would call us to promote others.
1 Corinthians 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
Again love seeks what benefits others.
1 Corinthians 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
Reveling in sinful movies or dirty jokes is the opposite of love. The truth may hurt, but it is what’s needed for positive change.
1 Corinthians 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
The NLT renders this, “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”
1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
Prophecies, languages and knowledge will pass their use-by date, but love will not.
1 Corinthians 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
None of us has all the knowledge, not even about the future.
1 Corinthians 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Knowledge of past generations fades, and will pale into insignificance when the perfect world comes.
1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Growing up spiritually is something that we deal with all the time, either in ourselves, or in newer Christians.
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Not much detail is given about the good eternity that we commonly call heaven. We do know that, in contrast to what is said about hell, it will be wonderful.
1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Paul’s definition of love in verses 4-8 is one of those memorable passages of the Bible. Most things in life are temporary. Of the things that last, love is the most important.
Showing posts with label 1 Corinthians 13. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1 Corinthians 13. Show all posts
The Most Important Thing
What is the most important thing in life? How important are the things of this world, fashion, politics, fame, fortune? What should our priorities be? Let’s find out in 1 Corinthians 13
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.”
The attitude of the speaker is more important that the talent of speaking all the world’s languages. Paul, with his great intellectual ability, preaches that love is more important than intelligence. Love is sometimes poorly translated as charity. Love is NOT charity. Giving to the poor is nothing without love.
If I had the greatest faith anyone could have to even move mountains, as Jesus taught, I’m not a somebody. I’m actually nothing without love. The greatest gifts we could give, even our own lives, profit us nothing without love. Giving out of selfish reasons, and not love, is worthless.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
What kind of love is Paul preaching about? He leaves us no doubt. Love suffers long, is kind, does not envy when others are praised, love enjoys and is glad for them. Love does not brag. When we are impatient, envious or brag, it tells us that love is absent.
More love tests: Have we been arrogant, acted rashly, selfish, easily provoked, count wrongs, enjoy unrighteousness? Do we rejoice in the truth or prefer political, commercial, historic, scientific and religious lies? Do we bear all things, believe all things (the best of people), hope all things, and endure all things.
1 Corinthians 13:8-10 “Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.”
All the things that we think are so great in this world will end. In God’s presence we won’t need prophecies, there will be one language, knowledge of this sinful world and its crazy ways will cease, arguments between Christians will cease because we will know what God considers important.
1 Corinthians 13:11-12 “When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.”
In a world where our leaders act like children, and our children act insolent towards those in authority, because they have “rights”, then we all need to learn that the most mature things we can learn is love. Our vision of God’s perfect world is incomplete, but we see glimpses.
1 Corinthians 13:13 “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
What is permanent in a temporary world? People die, politics comes and goes, nations come and go, music tastes fade, fashions change, but in the life to come these three will remain. Why is love the greatest of them? Faith and hope are ours, but love we give to others.
The greatest thing in the whole world, in international relations, in our nation, in our community, on our jobs, in our church, in our friendships, in our families, in our marriages is love. Let’s grow up; be men and women of God; learn that love is the most important thing.
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.”
The attitude of the speaker is more important that the talent of speaking all the world’s languages. Paul, with his great intellectual ability, preaches that love is more important than intelligence. Love is sometimes poorly translated as charity. Love is NOT charity. Giving to the poor is nothing without love.
If I had the greatest faith anyone could have to even move mountains, as Jesus taught, I’m not a somebody. I’m actually nothing without love. The greatest gifts we could give, even our own lives, profit us nothing without love. Giving out of selfish reasons, and not love, is worthless.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
What kind of love is Paul preaching about? He leaves us no doubt. Love suffers long, is kind, does not envy when others are praised, love enjoys and is glad for them. Love does not brag. When we are impatient, envious or brag, it tells us that love is absent.
More love tests: Have we been arrogant, acted rashly, selfish, easily provoked, count wrongs, enjoy unrighteousness? Do we rejoice in the truth or prefer political, commercial, historic, scientific and religious lies? Do we bear all things, believe all things (the best of people), hope all things, and endure all things.
1 Corinthians 13:8-10 “Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.”
All the things that we think are so great in this world will end. In God’s presence we won’t need prophecies, there will be one language, knowledge of this sinful world and its crazy ways will cease, arguments between Christians will cease because we will know what God considers important.
1 Corinthians 13:11-12 “When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.”
In a world where our leaders act like children, and our children act insolent towards those in authority, because they have “rights”, then we all need to learn that the most mature things we can learn is love. Our vision of God’s perfect world is incomplete, but we see glimpses.
1 Corinthians 13:13 “But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
What is permanent in a temporary world? People die, politics comes and goes, nations come and go, music tastes fade, fashions change, but in the life to come these three will remain. Why is love the greatest of them? Faith and hope are ours, but love we give to others.
The greatest thing in the whole world, in international relations, in our nation, in our community, on our jobs, in our church, in our friendships, in our families, in our marriages is love. Let’s grow up; be men and women of God; learn that love is the most important thing.
New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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