Notes on 1 Corinthians 13

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling 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.
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.

The introduction of this chapter can only be understood in light of the discussion of spiritual gifts that came before. It is possible, as a Christian, to manifest spiritual gifts without also manifesting the love of God. That is particularly true if, as in the case if many in the Corinthian church, the motive is spiritual pride, making ourselves appear great in the eyes of others. That was particularly the case with the "flashy" gifts like speaking in tongues. Without the active, giving concern of godly love, all the "things" we do, the works we perform, are worthless. Yes, others may benefit from good deeds, but if we do things for the wrong reasons, they are nothing but wood, hay, and stubble in the eyes of God. As with Christ's parable of the sheep and goats, doing good works in Jesus' name is no good if Jesus is not in the worker.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

These are some of the qualities of godly love, not a definition, and by no means an exhaustive list. The overriding idea is that our first concern and priority is the good and well-being of others, not our own. The qualities involved are patience, kindness, humility, unselfishness, moderation, faith, and hope. Love has no ego to protect, no axe to grind, no points to make. It has no prerequisites, like economic or social status or nationality. It is never glad when something bad happens to a bad person, and doesn't condemn a person rather than their behavior. Rather than striking back or seeking revenge for a wrong or a hurt, it turns the other cheek. For cursing, it gives back blessing. God is love, and Christ is God; to act in love is to act like Christ. Love is played out from day to day in the countless circumstances of our lives, and learning how to love is to learn how to be like Christ. Only to the extent that we allow Christ live through us do we truly love with God's love.

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

Fundamental churches interpret this passage to mean that the "perfect" thing to come is the completed canon of scripture, the completed record of the Word of God. Therefore, the argument runs, since we now have the completed scriptures, the "sign" gifts of tongues, prophecies, and knowledge, among others, have ceased, and are no longer valid spiritual gifts. Others say that what is to be "completed" is the church age, which will end with the second coming of Christ, at which point there will be no need for special gifts, once we see Christ face to face. Fundamental believers would also say that the "childish" things are the gifts needed in the early days of the church, which are no longer required for the mature church, or the mature Christian. The response might well be that what is childish is to exercis spiritual gifts in pride, without godly love. One question that bears asking is that, if the "then" in verse 12 refers back to the "perfect" coming in verse 10, do we really "know" Christ as he knows us, and do we really now see him face to face. Whatever the answer, it should not divide Christian from Christian if we share the basic qualities of the same faith, the same hope, and the same love. Christian unity does not meet associating ourselves with churches or groups who do not hold to the basic truths of the Gospel, but it should extend to fellowship with other Christians who do not hold to the same set of beliefs in every single detail of doctrine. So long as we serve the same Lord, the label we bear or a particular church or denomination should not matter.

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