And there shall we perfectly love one another, when all the saints meet there, when none but saints are there, and saints made perfect. Charity thinks no evil. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. b. d. Love does not behave rudely: Where there is love, there will be kindness and good manners. Poole has a fascinating comment, suggesting that the tongues of angels describes how God may speak to us in a non-verbal way: Angels have no tongues, nor make any articulate audible sounds, by which they understand one another; but yet there is certainly a society or intercourse among angels, which could not be upheld without some way amongst them to communicate their minds and wills to each other. Most of us do the same. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. Perhaps not in the stuffy, look at how cultured I am way of showing manners, but in the simply way people do not behave rudely. b. If we feel none of its sacred heat in our hearts, it will profit nothing, though we be burnt to ashes for the truth. ii. i. He also tells the Corinthians to be imitators of me. Love is the way of being that is so all invasive that it affects the whole of the way life is conducted. WebScripture 1 Corinthians 13:48a (ESV) Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. O blessed state! In that day, when God comes to live among us (Revelation 21:15), we will know fully, as He knows us fully in this moment. 14 6), a knowledge of mysteries supernaturally communicated. Webcomputer. I would, my brothers and sisters, that we could all imitate the pearl oyster. Love stands in the presence of a fault, with a finger on her lip. (Spurgeon), ii. It will hardly give into an ill opinion of another, and it will do it with regret and reluctance when the evidence cannot be resisted; hence it will never be forward to suspect ill, and reason itself into a bad opinion upon mere appearances, nor give way to suspicion without any. IV. However, 1 Corinthians 13 is possibly the most central part of Pauls argument in chapters 12-14. God will be known then clearly, and in a manner by intuition, and as perfectly as the capacity of glorified minds will allow; not by such transient glimpses, and little portions, as here. It refers to sexual love. Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete). (1 Peter 1:21-22), v. Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from HarperCollins Christian Publishing (501 Nelson Place, Nashville, TN 37214 USA) providing information about products and services of HCCP and its affiliates. The external act of giving alms may proceed from a very ill principle. The apostle says such sexual sins hurt so much because they are "sins against [our] own body" (verse 18). I know some persons who habitually believe everything that is bad, but they are not the children of love I wish the chatterers would take a turn at exaggerating other peoples virtues, and go from house to house trumping up pretty stories of their acquaintances. (Spurgeon). The Charismatic Movement Examined ( 1 Corinthians 14:1-5) 35. Following the one who gave his life as a sacrifice for us will be humbling and undoubtedly costly in terms of human recognition and progress in life as secular society defines it. And when, in spite of inclination, it cannot believe well of others, it will yet hope well, and continue to hope as long as there is any ground for it. Love does not envy: Envy is one of the least productive and most damaging of all sins. Preaching is essentially a merging of the gifts of teaching and exhortation, prophecy has the primary elements of prediction and revelation. (Farnell, cited in Kistemaker). 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. A church should never be forced to choose between love and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Part of his method in making this argument is to compare his own growth journey from child to adult (verse 11). 2. We long to be with loved ones who have passed before us and whom we miss so dearly. WebBiblical Commentary (Bible study) 1 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. e. Whether there are tongues, they will cease: In his use of will fail and will cease and will vanish away, Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is not trying to say that prophecies, tongues, and knowledge have different fates. Note, If we leave charity out of religion, the most costly services will be of no avail to us. Of course, this will immediately be seen in how they live and speak and think. ii. The apostle here gives thirteen notes of a charitable person. (Poole). It begins, indeed, at death, because then we put off many weaknesses along with the body. (Calvin). If we knew more of our own sinfulness, we might be driven to despair; if we knew more of Gods glory, we might die of terror; if we had more understanding, unless we had equivalent capacity to employ it, we might be filled with conceit and tormented with ambition. i. And knowledge will vanish away. The difference between these two states is here pointed at in two particulars: 1. New American Standard Version It doesnt mean I will be all knowing as God is, but it means I will know Him as perfectly as I can. Instead, they might be comparable to the experience of viewing a reflection in a spoon or in a window. Our best knowledge and our greatest abilities are at present like our condition, narrow and temporary. There may be an open and lavish hand, where there is no liberal and charitable heart. Where the fire of love is kept in, the flames of wrath will not easily kindle, nor long keep burning. He recommends it, I. Is envy a small sin? To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from Gods law but am under Christs law), so as to win those not having the law. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. Such persons have what is termed, and very properly too, sour godliness. (Clarke). Such knowledge was to vanish away. It does not rejoice at evil (1 Corinthians 13:6). For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. Consider, I. ii. Alan Redpath said one could get a spiritual suntan from the warmth of this chapter. Though the gifts are precious, and given by the Holy Spirit today, they were never meant to be the focus or goal of our Christian lives. There may be an open and lavish hand, where there is no liberal and charitable heart. Those may do many wondrous works in Christ's name whom yet he will disown, and bid depart from him, as workers of iniquity, Matt 7 22, 23. It takes no pleasure in their sins, but is highly delighted to see them do well, to approve themselves men of probity and integrity. Some understand it of dissembling and flattery, when a fair face is put on, and fine words are said, without any regard to truth, or intention of good. This means that any dispute, any strong speaking over important matters, and any firm spiritual discipling or disciplining of another is to be regarded as unloving. Alan Redpath said one could get a spiritual suntan from the warmth of this chapter. But vindicating religion at the cost of our lives will profit nothing if we feel not the power of it; and true charity is the very heart and spirit of religion. The most wonder-working faith, to which nothing is in a manner impossible, is itself nothing without charity. However, none of those things, precious as they are, make heaven really heaven. What makes heaven really heaven is the unhindered, unrestricted, presence of our Lord, and to know just as I also am known will be the greatest experience of our eternal existence. Clarke describes the heart which does not envy: They are ever willing that others should be preferred before them.. So, these descriptions might be better translated along the lines of, Love waits patiently; love acts kindly and so forth. That man is no Christian who is solicitous for his own happiness alone; and cares not how the world goes, so that himself be comfortable. (Clarke). 3 And () though I bestow The law of kindness is in her lips; her heart is large, and her hand open. O glorious change! The Permanence of Love ( 1 Corinthians 12:8-13) 34. But God calls us farther and deeper into love for Him, for one another, and for a perishing world. Faith fixes on the divine revelation, and assents to that: hope fastens on future felicity, and waits for that: and in heaven faith well be swallowed up in vision, and hope in fruition. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my Tongues are good, prophecy and knowledge and faith are good, sacrifice is good. 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. According to Alan Redpath, we get our English word agony from agape. But in the ancient world, mirrors were made out of polished metal, and the image was always unclear and somewhat distorted. Thus we do by our own faults, and thus charity would teach us to do by the faults of others; not publish them to their shame and reproach, but cover them from public notice as long as we can, and be faithful to God and to others. 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. They are imperfect gifts for an imperfect time. But charity never seeks its own to the hurt of others, or with the neglect of others. There will be no more barriers to our relationship with God. When faith and hope are at an end, true charity will burn for ever with the brightest flame. 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. Reading 1 Corinthians 13 with the lectionary. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; Miraculous faith, the faith of miracles, or the faith by which persons were enabled to work miracles: Had I all faith (the utmost degree of this kind of faith), that I could remove mountains (or say to them, "Go hence into the midst of the sea," and have my command obeyed, Mark 11 23), and had no charity, I am nothing. Those who are animated with a principle of true brotherly love will in honour prefer one another, Rom 12 10. The second direction is toward the neighbor (Levitucs 19:18). The advice itself: I wrote to you in a letter not to company with fornicators, 1 Cor. 2018 David Guzik No distribution beyond personal use without permission. Our doing good to others will do none to us, if it be not well done, namely, from a principle of devotion and charity, love to God, and good-will to men. 5:9. Paul comes to his primary point in verses 19-20: We are not our own! Then, the next time they encounter that person who has wronged them, they remember and keep score. Web(1 Corinthians 13 Commentary ) Barclay- There is a self-effacing quality in love. All things covers everything! Normally, no one would doubt the spiritual credentials of someone who gave away everything they had, and gave up their life in dramatic martyrdom. 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. 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. 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. By giving a description of its properties and fruits, ver 4-7. Love as described in 1 Corinthians 13 is best understood as a way of life, lived in imitation of Jesus Christ, that is focused not on oneself but on the other and his or her good. 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. Thus shall we think of our most valued gifts and acquisitions in this world, when we come to heaven. This he makes out. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. Love never fails: Paul addresses the over-emphasis the Corinthian Christians had on the gifts of the Holy Spirit. WebFirst Corinthians 13:113 is one of the most loved and well-known passages in the Bible, but Paul places it after his teaching on the spiritual gifts for a specific reason. REFLECTIONS ON SPIRITUAL AWAKENING (Part 10) . And He went out again by the seashore; and all the people were coming to Him, and He was teaching them. To sum up the excellences of charity, he prefers it not only to gifts, but to other graces, to faith and hope (v. 13): And now abide faith, hope, and charity; but the greatest of these is charity. This living principle of all duty and obedience is the more excellent way of which the apostle speaks, preferable to all gifts. Love can always stand with and on truth, because love is pure and good like truth. They will do nothing out of a spirit of contention or vain-glory, but in lowliness of mind will esteem others better than themselves, Phil 2 3. Or, it beareth all things,will pass by and put up with injuries, without indulging anger or cherishing revenge, will be patient upon provocation, and long patient, panta hypomeneiholds firm, though it be much shocked, and borne hard upon; sustains all manner of injury and ill usage, and bears up under it, such as curses, contumacies, slanders, prison, exile, bonds, torments, and death itself, for the sake of the injurious, and of others; and perseveres in this firmness. Both married and unmarried people, as well as widows and children made up Corinths It can endure evil, injury, and provocation, without being filled with resentment, indignation, or revenge. Pursue a deeper knowledge of God through self-paced college- and seminary-level online courses in Old and New Testament studies, theology, biblical Greek, and more. It beareth all things, it endureth all things, panta stegei, panta hypomenei. And under these two generals all the particulars of the character may be reduced.

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