1 Corinthians 13-16
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In the last verse of chapter 12 leading into chapter 13 Paul says,
“And yet I will show you the most excellent way.” He had been speaking about spiritual gifts and how not
everyone has the same gift. He
addresses the problem they had been having of comparing and competing with one
another concerning spiritual gifts as well as boasting about particular gifts. So what was “the most excellent
way?” The answer is in chapter 13
… it’s love.
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have
love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophesy and can
fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith than can move
mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” (1
Corinthians 13:1-2) In all their
concern about spiritual gifts Paul wanted to make sure they understood that
those gifts meant nothing if they did not love one another.
This chapter in the Bible is often quoted at weddings, and
appropriately so since in our marriages we need to have this type of love that
Paul describes. But I think it is important to remember that he was actually
talking about how we as Christians should love one another.
Love is patient.
Love is kind.
It does not envy,
it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not
dishonor others,
It is not
self-seeking,
It is not easily
angered,
It keeps no
record of wrongs.
Love does not
delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always
protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
This is a good passage of Scripture to revisit often to be
reminded of this definition of Christ-like love. In fact, you can replace the word ‘love’ with the name of Jesus. Can I place my name in as well? Am I loving others in this way and
would they be able to say these things about me?
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