Love is the Greatest

There is nothing wrong with making a practical application of this passage, but this should not be done at the expense of solid, contextual, Biblical interpretation.

We must always remember the three most important words in Biblical interpretation:

Context

Context of Chapter 13

To whom is it written? The Corinthians believers.

Why was it written? To point out doctrinal errors within their church.

What was the purpose? To correct these errors.

How? By teaching the correct doctrine in place of the incorrect doctrine.

Outline:

This chapter emphasizes the FACT that no Spiritual gift is complete without love to back it up.

While some in this church exalted the sign gifts, tongues, interpretation of tongues etc., Paul wrote to teach them three important lessons about love:

Love is Enriching 1-3

Love is Edifying 4-7

Love is Eternal 8-13

Love is Enriching 1-3

In verses 1-3 Paul lists 5 spiritual gifts:

Tongues v. 1

Prophecy v. 2

Knowledge v.2

Faith v. 2

Giving (sacrificial) v.3

Paul wasted no time in pointing out that no matter how much your particular gift may be looked up to by some, if you do not exercise the gift in the proper spirit of love, it was useless.

In Corinth, tongues was the most sought after gift. To this Paul says, if not exercised in love, tongues is like beating a cymbal.

*Notice in verse 1, Paul puts to an end a future argument. “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels...” those today that claim the gift of tongues is some angelic prayer language can hang it up! That is not a valid argument. Especially if it is not being used properly.*

The exercise of any spiritual gift without having in mind the need to love others is “nothing” and it “profiteth nothing”.

What are we commanded in the church age to do?

Love one another.

1 John was written with this very thought in mind, that we are to love on another. The word love is used over 30 times in 1 John!

Jesus said, John 14:15 “15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

The Corinthians were not loving one another. They were more concerned with the exercise of their “special” gift than helping others grow in the Lord. 1 Cor. 13:2-3

1 Corinthians 13:2–3 KJV 1900

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. 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.

When you use your gift in the spirit of love, then the entire body is better for it. Which leads us to the second point...

Love is Edifying 4-7

In these verses Paul describes the characteristics of love and demonstrates how the Corinthians were missing the mark in their worship. To edify = to build up. Constant arguing and bickering was not building anyone up, it was tearing everyone down!

BTW, “missing the mark” is the literal definition of sin.

Charity (love) suffereth long - love is patient. Love is willing to wait.

The Corinthians, however, were being impatient

Charity (love) is kind - “To show oneself useful”

Arguing over who the best preacher is, or which is the best gift, is not a useful spirit in a local church.

Charity (love) envieth not - is not covetous

The Corinthians coveted certain gifts. Let us just say, God is not in that!

Charity (love) vaunteth not itself - “Doesn’t brag about itself”

“Look at me! I have the gift of tongues” love doesn’t rub it in your face!

Charity (love) is not puffed up

Not full of pride. The Corinthians were full of pride.

Charity (love) does not behave itself unseemly -to act boorishly

aka - love minds its manners.

Charity (love) seeketh no her own

Love is not selfish. Selfishness is concerned only with what the individual wants. Love thinks of others.

Charity (love) is not easily provoked

To be easily provoked means to be easily driven to wrath or vengeful anger. Evidently this problem with the spiritual gifts was causing some tempers to flare within the church. What a wonderful testimony that would hold for a church.

Charity (love) thinketh no evil

To see only the best in others instead of trying to find reasons to be angry with them and plotting ways to make them suffer and fail. It is a shame Paul even had to explain this to the church in Corinth. It is a bigger shame when we have to have it explained to us today.

Charity (love) rejoiceth not in iniquity

Love will not find pleasure in sinful activity.

Charity (love) DOES rejoice in truth

We have the truth, the Word of God, we should rejoice in it.

Charity (love):

Beareth all things - endures everything, the good and the bad

Believeth all things - that is, love has unchanging faith

Hopeth all things - has full trusting confidence

Endureth all things - to persevere in all things at all times.

Becasue of these characteristics, we see finally that...

Love is Eternal 8-13

Paul concludes this chapter with the simple statement that the sign gifts are temporary, but love is eternal. 1 Corinthians 13:8

1 Corinthians 13:8 KJV 1900

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.

Prophecy and knowledge will fail/vanish away

Fail/vanish away = same word. Meaning their purpose will be rendered useless by the influence of something greater, something outside of themselves.

Tongues, however, will cease. Cease is a different word, indicating that it will stop on its own, even before the other two.

What will cause these gifts to be done away with? 1 Corinthians 13:9-10

1 Corinthians 13:9–10 KJV 1900

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

That which is perfect or complete refers to the completion of Scripture. The Bible was completed around 95 AD, when John completed the book of Revelation.

1 Corinthians 13:11–12 KJV 1900

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. 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.

Just as small children need “help” until they are grown, when the church is grown, when the Bible is completed, then the partial or interim gifts will disappear.

Take away

There are three important characteristics that should be demonstrated in the life of all believers:

Faith - Assurance that the Bible is true and that the promises in it will come to pass.

Hope - Confidence, anticipation, patiently waiting to come into these promises.

Charity - Love one another, even as Christ loved us.

All three of these are important, but listen to what Paul says, 1 Corinthians 13:13

1 Corinthians 13:13 KJV 1900

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.