Sandwiched between 2 chapters the Apostle Paul has written on the topic of spiritual gifts is the “love chapter”. Now, isn’t that interesting? For so long I just figured that God wanted to make sure we had an understanding of what love really was supposed to look like. It was the proper reading for a wedding, right? In fact I carefully hand stitched verses 4-8 onto a quilt that was made in honor of my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. Awe! It really was quite sweet.
I am not going to say that this chapter disappoints from that perspective. Clearly there is a thorough description of love, and it has served me well over the years to remember what love is, and is not.
However.
In my deeper dive, I found chapter 13 was not quite that simple or singular in purpose. To give some context, let’s rewind a bit. Chapter 12 speaks of the endowment, receipt, and the collaboration of spiritual gifts. Are you following me? This chapter explains what the gifts that the Lord hands over to a new baby Christian look like and why we are each given at least one gift.
Skipping ahead, chapter 14 explains how these special gifts from the Spirit of God are to be used to benefit the church. Chapter 13 then, describes the attitude with which the gifts are to be used and atmosphere inside which they will be most powerful.
Now isn’t that interesting? This bit of information provides the context that makes Chapter 13 truly come alive.
Side note: I found John MacArthur’s commentary so helpful in my study and it is from his writings that I’ve drawn a 3 point outline.
- “The Contrast” Verses 1-3
- “The Description” Verses 4-7
- “The Longevity” Verses 8-13
The Contrast
Right out of the gate, Paul is not mincing words! He says you can be the most eloquent speaker, but if your words are not spoken in love, they sound like useless noise, and so on. In summary, the gifts being used in the Corinthian church (and in our church today) have to be used in love. If they are motivated otherwise, they are of NO value.
The Description
Love is long suffering, useful, serving, and gracious. Love doesn’t wish it had something someone else does, or even worse, it doesn’t wish another person didn’t have the things God has blessed them with.
Love doesn’t brag, it recognizes that all good gifts come from God which leads to gratitude rather than arrogance, and love isn’t ever rude.
If you cure selfishness you have just replanted the Garden of Eden! And because it is self-less, there is no need to respond defensively to challenging words that can provide an opportunity for you to learn and grow.
Love doesn’t keep a record, and is not secretly satisfied with it’s own sinful pleasures or in watching the sins of others.
Love rejoices in God’s truth, it provides protective cover for others, it believes and hopes for the best, and stands against overwhelming opposition.
The Longevity
Love NEVER fails. It’s absolute!
Whereas spiritual gifts, are temporary. For example, tongues will stop soon, Paul says. They will not be needed anymore as the prophecy and knowledge spread throughout the world. People will be able to read and study, and speak and share God’s truth in their native tongue.
Prophecy & knowledge will be needed longer than tongues, but not forever. Paul says, we need the explanation of God’s word and how to put it into practice for now, because we are in this world. At the end of this world, “when perfect comes” (when EVERYTHING is accomplished and we are living eternally with God) we will no longer need prophecy and knowledge. We’ll be WITH all that we need to know.
I would really challenge you, as I did both to study the context of 1 Corinthians 13 so you understand it’s significance. And then secondly to examine your motivation. Are your words and deeds driven by love? Do you understand what love really is?
There is so much room for growth and change in my life! I would be willing to bet you could say the same when you measure everything against this chapter. Practice makes perfect! Just keep growing my friend and I will do the same.