A STUDY OF FIRST CORINTHIANS

Chapter 13

Introduction: As a solution to the overall Corinthian problem, Paul opens the eyes of the saints to the value of unconditional love. He heralds this love as the greatest of all of God’s gifts. Nevertheless, what about God’s grace? God’s grace is an extension of His love (2 Cor. 13:14, 1 Tim. 1:14, 2 John 3). If God’s love is the source of His grace, such should be the same for the people of God (2 Cor. 8:7). If the brethren in Corinth would have applied the law of love in the church (Rom. 13:10) then they would have covered a multitude of sins and eliminated a world of problems (1 Pet. 4:8).

A.     Love would have curbed any divisive tendencies (1:10-17)

B.     Love would have curbed their envy and strife (3:1-4)

C.    Love would have curbed their tolerance of immorality (Chapter 5)

D.    Love would have curbed their need for retribution (6:1-11)

E.     Love would have curbed their insensitivity toward the brethren (Chapter 8, 10)

F.      Love would have sacrificed for the sake of a brother (Chapter 9)

G.    Love would have helped them to treat fairly those who were without (11:17-34)

H.   Love would have helped each on to be content with his service (Chapter 12)

The Greatest Gift 

Verse 1. I believe that Paul is using an exaggerated contrast in these next verses. He may not truly be able to speak in the tongues of angels. He may not be able to move mountain. He probably would not offer his body to be burned. His point is merely to get them to see that anything done, no matter how great they may thing it is, if it is without love. It is worthless. The tongues of men are the languages that men speak. The tongues of angels, were the languages that angel spoke depended upon the people to whom they appeared. This they did without, as far as we know, miraculous intervention. Any spiritual exercise must have as its motivation the benefit of others. Speaking in tongues was not primarily for the benefit of the speaker, but for the hearer. If he does not love his brother, his miraculous gift is as worthless as sounding brass or clanging a cymbal. By themselves, these sounds have no significance.

Verse 2. Prophecy was a gift that Paul held in high regard (14:1). Yet, to be able to prophesy and be without love was sad. The same is true with spiritual understanding and knowledge. However, no one has ever understood fully and perfectly ALL the hidden wisdom of God. Even at this time, Paul did not have that ability to know and understand completely (v. 9). Yet, to have that ability and not have love is worthless. Faith is worthless, if not accompanying love. Again, it does not matter that the person has these abilities. Nor does it matter that others may benefit from them. The one with the ability receives no real benefit. He is worthless.

Verse 3. The one who gives away his possessions not out of love, will not profit. Such was the case of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. The person, who gives of himself so completely without love as his primary motivation, is doing so at his own peril and loss. So it was with these gifts. They did not profit the possessors in a way that love would. Actually, love proved more valuable and useful. 

Verses 4-7. Love is Long-suffering. Such is typical of God's character (2 Pet. 3:9). The word means to be patient with others especially when offended or mistreated by them. One who loves, will not be so short fused and quick to retaliate. Brethren must be long-suffering toward those who are “weaker” members. Love is kind (See Romans 12:9-21). Some are good at dishing out insults, and criticisms, but hardly ever have a kind word to say about those that they criticize. Love demonstrates itself in action. Such should have been shown to those poor saints in Chapter 11. Love is not envious. It does not grieve when good happens to another but rather rejoices when others do (Rom. 12:15). It does not get jealous when the prize goes to someone else. A lack of envy would have made for a better situation in Chapter 12. Love is not a parading spectacle or puffed up. It does not have to brag to be noticed; it does not cut others down to be elevated. Love does not have to make oneself out to be more than what he is. True love speaks for itself. Such could have prevented the attitudes in Chapters 5:2 and 12. Love does not behave in a rude manner. It does nothing base, vile or vulgar. It stays within the bounds of decency. Was not this the case of the fornicator in Chapter 5? Love is not self-seeking. It is neither selfish nor self-centered. It does not have an “every man for himself” attitude (Phi. 2:3-8). Such was lacking when some ate before others in Chapter 11. It is not easily provoked. It is not touchy and always irritable – does not carry a chip or grudge. It is not triggered off at the slightest thing; it is very tolerant (James 1:19-20). Love would not have been so quick to take one to court (6:1). Love thinks no evil. The phrase is an accountant’s term - does not keep records of wrongs. God does not keep records of mistakes that He has pardoned (Heb. 8:12). Love does not rejoice in iniquity. One who truly loves will not be happy to see one overcome by sin nor does one take pleasure in wrong doing (Naboth's vineyard, etc.). Such was the case with the fornicator of Chapter 5. Love rejoices in the truth. It does not go around trying to uncover the faults and shortcomings of others. It sees what is right and good about them and rejoices in that. Love does not look to cut down but to build up. Love bears all things. “Bear” literally means to cover (1 Pet. 4:8; Pro. 10:12; 12:16; 17:9). Love throws a mantle of kindness over a loved one's faults (looks beyond the fault toward helping to restore rather than pouring out wrath). Love prevents making public certain shortcomings and faults about a person (Giving the scoop or airing the dirty laundry). Love believes all things. It is always ready to think the best of an individual, especially with no evidence to the contrary. It makes every possible allowance for human weakness without betraying the truth of God. Love hopes all things. Even if you have reason to lose confidence in someone, hope for his best. We are quick to write off brethren because they may have made a mistake or were not able to do what they should have done the way we have done it. A person may not be up to standard, but you hope well for them. They may not do it now or know it now, but you hope they will soon. Love endures all things. It does not grow weary (When will she ever learn?). It endures through thick and thin (I’m tired of him not speaking to me!). Despite cold shoulders, smug looks, criticisms, backbiting, and hostility – keep on being what you should be.

Verse 8. The word translated “fails” means “to perish, come to an end, disappear, or cease.” Thus, love will always be. In contrast with the spiritual gifts, they will end. Prophecy will be put out of use. Tongues will be stopped. Knowledge will also end. Paul here is prophesying of the termination of spiritual gifts.

Verses 9-10. God’s revelation was given in piece-meal (Heb. 1:1-2). Each spiritual gift revealed a part of God’s revelation. Once all the pieces were in place, such eliminated the need for the parts. That which is perfect must be understood in connection with that which is in part. If the part refers to the will or revelation of God or that which God wants man to know then the perfect must be the same.

Verse 11. Paul uses the analogy of a child growing into an adult to illustrate the infancy of the church growing into spiritual maturity. In its infancy, the church needed spiritual gifts (childish things) to bring about its maturity. Once it has reached maturity, the church does not need those childish things. The phrase “put away” means “to bring to an end; to terminate.” Once God’s revelation was made full or complete, He brought to an end the spiritual gifts. We have no use for them today.

Verse 12. During the age of miracles, the disciples were not able to see all of God’s will clearly. They did not have all of the parts. Once all of the parts were in place, then a person could have full knowledge. At the time Paul wrote this, he and others had only partial knowledge. He anticipated a time in which Full knowledge would come. Again the perfect can be nothing other than the word of God (James 1:25).

Verse 13. Paul makes a logical conclusion here indicated by the word “Now.” In relation to the coming of the perfect, faith, hope and love will abide. Even of these love is the greatest. Love is an eternal quality. Faith and hope will not have any purpose once we are in heaven (2 Cor. 5:7).