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Evangelical Commentary on the Bible C. Questions about Worship, Gifts, and Order (11:2–14:40)

Once more Paul pauses to insert a section

Evangelical Commentary on the Bible C. Questions about Worship, Gifts, and Order (11:2–14:40)

Once more Paul pauses to insert a section

Evangelical Commentary on the Bible C. Questions about Worship, Gifts, and Order (11:2–14:40)

He has said that the gifts are given for the “common good” (12:7), but this goal will not be reached apart from a motive to guide and direct their exercise.

One of the Greek words for love is ‘agape’. Before the days of Christianity, this word was rare. Now Paul uses ‘agape’ to describe God’s own kind of loving. God’s love is generous and selfless—poured out on everyone whether they deserve it or not.

and direct their exercise.

One of the Greek words for love is ‘agape’. Before the days of Christianity, this word was rare. Now Paul uses ‘agape’ to describe God’s own kind of loving. God’s love is generous and selfless—poured out on everyone whether they deserve it or not.

Davis, J. A. (1995). 1-2 Corinthians. In Evangelical Commentary on the Bible (Vol. 3, p. 978). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.One of the Greek words for love is ‘agape’. Before the days of Christianity, this word was rare. Now Paul uses ‘agape’ to describe God’s own kind of loving. God’s love is generous and selfless—poured out on everyone whether they deserve it or not.

In the end, it is only this kind of love that will last. All the gifts that the Corinthians strive for will come to an end.

One day prophecy will no longer be necessary, tongues will die out and knowledge will pass into history. But love will survive. Love is the most important quality of all, because it is the essence of God.

V 1-3

(v. 1; instruments used to produce a variety of sounds that command attention but only frustrate their audience unless accompanied by music or words that interpret their meaning). Similarly, to have “the gift of prophecy” (which conveys insight into the mysteries of God’s activity and knowledge about God himself or a “faith that can move mountains” is of no value unless these abilities are motivated by love as they are used within the body of Christ

(v. 2). also the offering of “all I possess” in sacrificial service to “the poor” or the offering of “my body to the flames” in the sacrifice of martyrdom is of no lasting benefit apart from the motivation of love (v. 3)

Evangelical Commentary on the Bible C. Questions about Worship, Gifts, and Order (11:2–14:40)

rudeness, the pursuit of self-gain, the anger, and the vindictiveness that express themselves at the expense of others are never characteristic of love. For love cannot be identified with the enjoyment that is achieved for ourselves by such means.

Evangelical Commentary on the Bible C. Questions about Worship, Gifts, and Order (11:2–14:40)

For even languages, all of which have meaning, cannot convey their meaning so long as the hearer remains a foreigner to the language of the one who speaks.

1 Corinthians 13:1–13 NKJV

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 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, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.