It corrects a sharpness of temper, sweetens and softens the mind, so that it does not suddenly conceive, nor long continue, a vehement passion. The love that Paul is describing takes action; it is not a passive feeling. It is also clear in Ephesians 5:2: Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (ESV). Virtually all commentators agree that which is perfect is fulfilled when we are in the eternal presence of the Perfect One, when we are with the Lord forever, either through the return of Christ or graduation to the eternal. It will not make the worst construction of things, but put the best face that it can on circumstances that have no good appearance. Love is never satisfied but in the welfare, comfort, and salvation of all. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. He came from a humble place; he was a shoe repairman when God called him to reach the world. i. People of little religion are always noisy; he who has not the love of God and man filling his heart is like an empty wagon coming violently down a hill: it makes a great noise, because there is nothing in it. (Josiah Gregory, cited in Clarke). In verse 13 Paul describes how God affirms life in the face of our death by equipping us to resist temptation. And is not falling into sin the greatest calamity that can befal one? G. Campbell Morgan wrote that examining this chapter is like dissecting a flower to understand it. If we feel none of its sacred heat in our hearts, it will profit nothing, though we be burnt to ashes for the truth. Love does not ask to have an easy life of it: self-love makes that her aim. Paul is not writing about how love feels, he is writing about how it can be seen in action. WebHe warns them to treat Timothy well and commends a delegation from Corinth that have come to see him. The streets of gold will have small attraction to us, the harps of angels will but slightly enchant us, compared with the King in the midst of the throne. f. Love is not provoked: We all find it easy to be provoked or to become irritated with those who are just plain annoying. The apostle is plainly speaking of miraculous gifts, and therefore of knowledge to be had out of the common way (see ch. It doesnt mean I will be all knowing as God is, but it means I will know Him as perfectly as I can. It is written primarily for the pastor and Bible teacher, not for the scholar. 1 Corinthians 13 is a piece of poetry written by an early Christian leader named Paul. Some read the first, covers all things. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart. Part of his method in making this argument is to compare his own growth journey from child to adult (verse 11). Moses face was not literally beholding the literal face of God, but he did enjoy direct, intimate, conversation with the Lord. From its longer continuance and duration: Charity never faileth. It speaks against the envy, pride, and self-centeredness of the Corinthian Christians, and in doing so speaks clearly to our own generation as well. 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. Love: At the beginning, we see love is described by action words, not by lofty concepts. b. Carey, I hear you once were a shoemaker! Carey replied, No, your lordship, not a shoemaker, only a cobbler! Today, the name of William Carey is remembered, but nobody remembers who that snobbish lord was. Charity is an utter enemy to selfishness: Seeketh not its own, does not inordinately desire nor seek its own praise, or honour, or profit, or pleasure. 13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. This series is designed for those who know biblical languages. The light of a candle is perfectly obscured by the sun shining in its strength. Web1 Corinthians 13:1-13 EXEGESIS: THE CONTEXT: Corinth was an important and wealthy city on the isthmus (narrow strip of land) separating Northern and Southern Greece. Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete). c. Love is kind: When we have and show Gods love, it will be seen in simple acts of kindness. It beareth all things, it endureth all things, panta stegei, panta hypomenei. Pride of face is obnoxious, pride of race is vulgar, but the worst pride is pride of grace! How this is we cannot tell: some of the schoolmen say, it is by way of impression: that way God, indeed, communicates his mind sometimes to his people, making secret impressions of his will upon their minds and understandings. Poole was not correct in his suggestion that angels cant speak in many places in the Bible, angelic beings speak, both in heaven, and on earth. I. e. Love does not seek its own: Paul communicates the same idea in Romans 12:10: in honor giving preference to one another. Some of the d. Love hopes all things: Love has confidence in the future, not pessimism. It isnt an issue of love versus the gifts. Moving mountains is a great achievement in the account of men; but one dram of charity is, in God's account, of much greater worth than all the faith of this sort in the world. These actions will not lead others to Christ, and we will only end up getting the glory that defeats our purpose of doing work for Him. Web1 Corinthians 13:12New International Version. It might be described as the highest love of which man, without Gods help, is capable of. 13). How much does it exceed the most valuable gift, when it outshines every grace, and is the everlasting consummation of them! By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, v. 35. The Permanence of Love ( 1 Corinthians 12:8-13) 34. But even if the rich young ruler had done what Jesus said, yet had not love, it would have been of no profit. Can we do whatever we want, if we think it is morally correct? Charity calms the angry passions, instead of raising them. It is because being and actions are so closely tied together in God and in Christ, first, but then also in his people, that Paul calls love a more excellent way (12:31b). i. It is love so great that it can be given to the unlovable or unappealing. All Rights Reserved. Should all a man has be laid out in this manner, if he had no charity, it would profit him nothing. As the New Testament scholar Shively Smith notes in her fine commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ( Working Preacher, May 1, 2016), the Corinthian Christians were diverse. How little a portion of God, and the unseen world, was heard even by apostles and inspired men! Many persons cover a spirit of envy and uncharitableness with the name of godly zeal and tender concern for the salvation of others; they find fault with all; their spirit is a spirit of universal censoriousness; none can please them; and every one suffers by them. Without this, the most glorious gifts are of no account to us, of no esteem in the sight of God. But in the ultimate sense, it will wait until then, when we are united with Jesus in glory. It is an excellent grace, and has a world of good properties belonging to it. iv. He takes occasion hence to show how much better it will be with the church hereafter than it can be here. Clarke describes the heart which does not envy: They are ever willing that others should be preferred before them.. Learn more in 1 Corinthians, A Video Study: 36 Lessons on History, Meaning, and Application. The first direction, repeatedly stressed, is summed up in Deuteronomy 6:5 with the command to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might (NRSV). Anger cannot rest in the bosom where love reigns. In Exodus 33:11, it says the LORD spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Paul isnt trying to make us choose, but he wants to emphasize the point to the Corinthian Christians: without love as the motive and goal, the gifts are meaningless distractions. This is her general character. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. Click to enable/disable _ga - Google Analytics Cookie. It is not for breaking order, confounding ranks bringing all men on a level; but for keeping up the distinction God has made between men, and acting decently in its own station, and minding its own business, without taking upon it to mend, or censure, or despise, the conduct of others. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. As well, some ancient Greek manuscripts have if I give up my body that I may glory instead of though I give my body to be burned. The word has little to do with emotion; it has much to do with self-denial for the sake of another. II. Reading 1 Corinthians 13 with the lectionary. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. 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. Readers might face additional limitations in understanding Pauls meaning upon coming to verse 12 where Paul compares the present reality to what he imagines a future, eschatological reality might be. The love of God, and of our neighbour for Gods sake, is A state of perfection is in view (v. 10): When that which is perfect shall come, then that which is in part shall be done away. XI. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. How inconsistent is it with Christian charity, to rejoice at such fall! But he does say that if we are spiritually mature, we will not over-emphasize spiritual gifts, especially at the expense of love. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. His bliss and sanctification will be an addition to ours, instead of impairing or lessening it. iv. Much of the whole of biblical theology is based on God and his love for his people and the response of love from his people. 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. Most of us do the same. Love keeps its distance from envy, and does not resent it when someone else is promoted or blessed. Web1 Corinthians 13:4-5. Web1 Corinthians 13:4 Parallel Verses [ See commentary ] 1 Corinthians 13:4, NIV: Love is patient, love is kind.It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. We can measure our spiritual maturity by seeing how it sounds when we put our name in place of the word love. True love will give us an esteem of our brethren, and raise our value for them; and this will limit our esteem of ourselves, and prevent the tumours of self-conceit and arrogance. The reference to tongues of angels shows that though the genuine gift of tongues is a legitimate language, it may not be a living human language, or may not be a human language at all. Sacrifice is important, but without love it is useless, it profits me nothing. They were only to edify the church on earth, and that but for a time, not during its whole continuance in this world; but in heaven would be all superseded, which yet is the very seat and element of love. b. In some churches this has even led to a watered-down Christian faith being preached with little emphasis on holiness lest some should feel condemned or unloved. It does not have to have the limelight or the attention to do a good job, or to be satisfied with the result. Rather, love is a collection of intentional actions. Oh, that we could do so with the provocations we receive from our fellow Christians, so that pearls of patience, gentleness, long-suffering, and forgiveness might be bred within us by that which has harmed us. (Spurgeon). Both to parade itself and to be puffed up are simply rooted in pride. We will know just as I also am known. Web1 Corinthians 6:16-20. We shall see Jesus. (Spurgeon). This has led some to say the gift of tongues is simply the ability to communicate the gospel in other languages, or it is the capability of learning languages quickly. In Pauls day, many Jews believed angels had their own language, and by the Spirit, one could speak it. WebThe Greatest Gift. Given this setting, the placement of chapter 13 here may at first seem odd as it only mentions speaking in tongues tangentially (verses 1 and 8). Where the fire of love is kept in, the flames of wrath will not easily kindle, nor long keep burning. Both married and unmarried people, as well as widows and children made up Corinths God does not have faith in the way we have faith, because He never has to trust outside of Himself. It refers to sexual love. While Paul can urge patience and insist on kindnessLove is patient, love is kind he sees no contradiction between this and possibly bringing a rod to the Corinthian church: in 1 Corinthians 4:21, he writes: Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit? Neither does he see a conflict between Gods love and Gods severe discipline of his people; Hebrews 12:6, for example, tells us that the Lord disciplines the one he loves.. e. Then I shall know just as I also am known: God knows everything about me; this is how I also am known. WebMatthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 5:9-13. It is critical when presenting the love inherent in the gospel of Jesus Christ that it not be reduced to meaningless platitudes and the smiley face of yesteryear. Web13:1-3 The excellent way had in view in the close of the former chapter, is not what is meant by charity in our common use of the word, almsgiving, but love in its fullest meaning; true While these surfaces can provide a general sense of the item being reflected, the image is not crystal clear. Charity will do nothing that misbecomes it. i. Paul, quoting the idea of Jesus, refers to faith which could remove mountains (Matthew 17:20). I. Nor will it rejoice at the faults and failings of others, and triumph over them, either out of pride or ill-will, because it will set off its own excellences or gratify its spite. 3. WebScripture 1 Corinthians 13:48a (ESV) Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. 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