Love One Another

Introduction:

One of the greatest passages and most common text in all of the Bible is Paul’s definition of love in

This is often read at wedding ceremonies or placed on display in homes.

This is admirable, but I believe the context is much more specific than limiting “love” to the love of a husband and wife.

In chapter 12, Paul begins an important section in the letter of how the church at Corinth was divided over the use of spiritual gifts. Paul’s desire for the church is to see that the diversity of gifts is for the purpose of unity -

In chapter 14, Paul ends this section by giving the guidelines that the church is to follow in pursuing peace and unity - ,

To properly understand this section, chapter 13 must not be divorced from chapter 12 or chapter 14. In fact, chapter 13 is the meat in the middle of this “sandwich.” It’s the most important part!

Paul says that he is trying to find the “more excellent way” -

Abusing Love

Demanding love for one another -

Patient

Kind

Not jealous

Not bragging

Not arrogant

Not unbecoming

Not seeking its own

Not provoked

Not taking into account suffered wrongs

Not rejoicing in unrighteousness

Rejoices in the truth

Bears all things

Believes all things

Hopes all things

Endures all things

Never fails

The church at Corinth was a church that was severely divided -

This church had become infested with problems:

They were carnally minded -

They had problems with their marriages -

They tolerated sexual immorality -

They took one another to court -

They had problems with their marriages -

They had problems with the Lord’s Supper -

They had problems with the Lord’s Supper -

They had problems with spiritual gifts -

They had problems with the resurrection -

Paul wrote the letter to admonish the church -

He loved this church and wanted to see them do better—pursuing the more excellent way.

He loved them and he wanted them to love one another.

Paul’s love for the church would not allow him to remain passive and silent—he must speak up, admonish, and rebuke.

He must be clear and articulate the error that was rooted in the church and help the church clean up their mess.

When we understand the greater context of 1 Corinthians, we will begin to see two things:

The Corinthians were violating every principle/definition of love

Paul deeply loved this church—1 Corinthians is an expression of his love and commitment to this church

How does society and the world tend to define love?

Perceive love for one another as an emotional or acceptance.

They would say Paul was harsh, critical, overbearing, unfair, and judgmental!

“How dare he ‘deliver one over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh…?’”

I’m afraid many of us would say that Paul did not love this brother.

In fact, sometimes we accuse our brothers or sisters of not loving someone because they do the very thing Paul did.

Often “love” is used as the buzz word to accept and tolerate everyone, no matter what they do, how they live, and what they practice (religiously).

If you love someone, you must accept what they do if you want to accept who they are.

“You don’t love me unless you accept what I do” or “this is who I am...” (homosexuality/transgender)

Paul doesn’t fall for that kind of thinking.

He shows that he can love someone and be deeply committed to them, while disapproving of their actions.

Corinth: The Church of UN-brotherly Love

Love is is not jealous, yet the Corinthians had been jealous of each other and their spiritual gifts -

Love does not brag and is not arrogant, yet the Corinthians were boasting in the sins of the sexually immoral - ,

Love does not brag and is not arrogant, yet the Corinthians

Love does not seek its own, but they were taking each other to court -

Love does not act unbecoming, but their observance of the Lord’s Supper was a matter of rude behavior -

“Those who have nothing” indicates some were poor

Some were “hungry” while others were “drunk”—not drunk with alcohol, but just have an overabundance, illustrating the social class differences between the saints at Corinth.

Love does not take into account a wrong suffered, but many were causing their brothers or sisters to stumble -

Love does rejoice in the truth, but the Corinthians were slow to hear Paul and quick to be deceived by false teaching - ; ;

Paul: An Example of Love

We need to look at Paul’s example of love for the church to see how we need to address problems in a loving way - ;

Paul’s admonishment for the church would challenge the Corinthians to change. Depending upon their actions, it would determine the spirit Paul would come to them -

He would come as a father in the gospel to inflict punishment (spiritual rebuke and discipline)

Or he would come with love and gentleness.

For those caught up in sin, behaving arrogantly, and corrupting the church, he delivered them over to Satan -

The apostle would address questions that the Corinthians had - ;

While he was emotional about their condition, he was not without hope for the future of the church in Corinth.

Paul “believed all things” and “hoped all things” that the church would do better.

Ignoring the problems and running away from confrontation does not prove your love for someone.

What if Paul never said one thing to the church in Corinth?

What if he had only allowed the division and corruption to breed in the church? The chaos would have overtaken them and many would lose their souls.

The way forward is to deal with issues, confront the errors, and not back down from the sin.

There is always work for us to do. No church is a perfect church.

We will all have our difficulties and shortcomings.

We cannot deceive ourselves into thinking that we can run away from problems here and find a perfect church somewhere across town.

There will always be challenges—age, numbers, discouragement, etc.

However, we must remain committed to working through these things and managing the struggles -

1 Corinthians 16:15–18 NASB95

Now I urge you, brethren (you know the household of Stephanas, that they were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to the saints), that you also be in subjection to such men and to everyone who helps in the work and labors. I rejoice over the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part. For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.

“devoted” - something akin to addicted

Conclusion:

Be devoted to one another. Love one another.

We do this through addressing our weaknesses, vulnerabilities, and problems.

We affirm our love for each other.

Don’t follow the world’s standard of “love = acceptance and approval”