1 Corinthians 13
Background
Is part of a letter
that the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth where he:
–
Thanks God for
their salvation and giftedness (1:4-9)
–
But corrects
them on such things as:
•
Ch. 1-4 -
Divisions, quarreling, and jealousy
•
Ch. 5-7 -
Sexual immorality, taking each other to court
•
Ch. 8-10 -
Abuse of Christian freedom and idolatry
•
Ch. 11 -
Abuses in taking the Lord’s Supper
•
Ch. 12,14 -
Abuses of spiritual gifts – especially tongues
and prophesy
•
Ch. 15 -
Failure to believe in the resurrection
1 Corinthians 13 is
often referred to as “the Love
Chapter”
(The Greek word for love
is used 9 times in 13 verses!)
•
What kind of love is Paul talking about in 1 Corinthians 13?
–
Not
eros love (a sexual love – Prov. 7:18)
–
Not
philos love (a friendship love – Jn. 11:3)
–
In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul refers to agape love:
•
A regard, respect, and caring concern for another person that does
not depend on the worthiness or “lovableness” of that person (cf. Rom
5:8, Luke 6:32-35)
•
An act of the will which places the welfare of others above the interests
of oneself (cf. Phil 2:1-5ff)
•
The NT standard for agape love is Christ’s sacrificial love
for His people (John 13:34)
Some Profound
Statements Made Concerning (agape) Love in the NT
•
Jesus taught in Matthew 22:36-40 that the entirety of OT teaching
hangs on two love commands:
–
Love
God with all your heart and soul and mind
–
Love
your neighbor as yourself
•
Paul makes it even simpler: For the
whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as
yourself." (Galatians 5:14 - ESV)
•
If you love
those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who
love them. . . . But love your enemies. . . expecting nothing in return,
and your reward will be great. . .
(Luke 6:32,35a - ESV)
•
Let all
that you do be done in love. (1
Corinthians 16:14 - ESV)
•
Whoever does
not love does not know God, because God is love.
(1 John 4:8)
Analysis of
the Text of 1 Corinthians 13
In 1 Corinthians 13:1-13,
Paul uses three approaches to teach us about Christian love:
13:1-3 – In the first
approach Paul uses three extraordinary hypothetical examples to teach us that
love is the essential ingredient in the Christian life.
13:1 – A person with
extraordinary giftedness in languages without love becomes just a lifeless
noisemaker
If
I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a
resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
What does it mean to
“speak in tongues”?
•
The Greek word for “tongue” can
refer to a language
•
Thus to “speak in tongues” means
to speak in languages
•
Earlier in this letter (1
Corinthians 12:10), Paul lists the ability to speak in “different kinds
of tongues” along with other spiritual gifts like the ability to perform
miracles, prophesy, etc.
•
Thus “speaking in tongues” in
this context probably refers to an extraordinary ability to speak in
other languages – perhaps like what happened on the day of Pentecost:
–
All of them were filled with the
Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled
them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every
nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came
together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his
own language. Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are
speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his
own native language? (Acts 2:4-8)
Observations:
–
The Corinthians apparently valued
their ability to speak in tongues (cf. chapter 14)
–
But Paul says that even if
they were given the ability to speak an angelic language, they
are still just a noisemaker if they don’t have love.
13:2 – A person with
extraordinary giftedness in spiritual knowledge and faith without love is a
spiritual zero
If I have the gift of prophecy and
can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can
move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
What is the
“gift of prophecy”?
•
A person with the “gift of
prophecy” was a person who received direct revelation from God and
then communicated that revelation to others
•
Sometimes the prophecy
involved a prediction of some future event (Acts 11:27-28; 21:10-14)
•
Usually prophecy also
involved instruction and exhortation from the Lord:
–
But everyone who prophesies
speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
(1 Corinthians 14:3)
What are "mysteries"?
•
In the New Testament, a
mystery is something that can only be know by divine revelation
Observations:
–
Later in this letter (14:1) Paul
will encourage the Corinthians to “eagerly desire” the gift of
prophecy even above the other spiritual gifts (especially
tongues) – nevertheless, prophecy without love is of no spiritual value
–
Knowledge
was apparently important to the Corinthians as Paul uses the word (gnosis)
quite a bit in writing to the Corinthians – but without love it is of no
value.
–
Jesus talked about a faith
that could move mountains (Matthew 17:20; 21:21; Mark 11:22-23), but
again, without love such a faith is of no value.
13:3 – A person of
extraordinary generosity and self sacrifice without love gains nothing for their
efforts\
A brief lesson in “textual criticism”:
•
Among the early manuscripts we have for
this verse, we find two possible readings:
–
If I give all I
possess to the poor
–
and surrender my body
•
to the flames
(kauthesomai)
•
or
•
that I may boast
(kauxesomai)
–
but have not love, I gain
nothing.
•
Scholars are not certain which reading is
the original reading.
•
But notice that while the readings
differ significantly in meaning, neither reading changes Paul’s
argument in the least.
•
Contrary to what some liberal scholars
claim, only about 1% have even this much uncertainty (i.e. where
scholars are unsure of the original and the difference
in meaning is significant).
•
And even in this rare category, as
we see in this verse, no significant bible teaching is in question
due to such a variation.
Observation:
– Even
acts of extraordinary sacrifice, which when viewed by others might even
seem to show love - if they are not motivated by love then they
do not benefit the person doing them.
|
The material on this page was presented in a
series of four sermons on 9/24/2006 by Bob Connolly at Enola Baptist
Church (located in in Enola, AR) . Unfortunately the first three
sermons were not recorded, but the fourth sermon is available by
clicking on the link below. The sermon begins with a overview of the
entire chapter and then gives a detailed, practical analysis
of verses 4-13. (Note : To download this sermon, right click the
link and select "Save Target As. . . ")
Listen to
sermon on 1 Corinthians 13:4-13
|
13:4-7 – In the second
approach Paul uses 15 practical examples to teach us how love behaves.
One important grammatical
point that affects our understanding of these four verses:
–
"Most English translations render the Greek as if it used
adjectives to describe the nature of love ‘timelessly,’ e.g.,
love is patient; love is kind; etc.
–
But the nature of love is expressed by Paul in a series of
verbs, the active character of which may not be fully indicated
by adjectives
–
Our translation strives to preserve the verbal structure of
the Greek, as against the adjectival structure of many English
translations”
–
(Anthony C. Thiselton, The First Epistle to the Corinthians,
Eerdmans Publishing, 2000, p.1046)
Thiselton Translation:
4
Love waits patiently, love shows
kindness. Love does not burn with envy; does not brag – is not
inflated with its own importance.
5
It does not behave with
ill-mannered impropriety; is not preoccupied with the interests
of the self; does not become exasperated into pique
[irritation or anger];
does not keep a reckoning up of evil.
6
Love does not take pleasure at
wrongdoing but joyfully celebrates the truth.
7
It never tires of support, never loses faith, never exhausts
hope, never gives up.
(Thiselton, p. 1026)
13:4
Love waits
patiently
•
Literally means “long-tempered” (as
opposed to short-tempered) or “long suffering”
•
Examples of other NT uses:
–
1 Thessalonians 5:14 - And we
urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the
timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
–
In 2 Peter 3:9, the patience of the Lord is seen in
waiting for the appropriate time to return -
The Lord is not slow in keeping his
promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with
you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to
repentance.
–
In Hebrews 6:15, the writer commends Abraham as a
model of one who waits patiently for God’s timing -
And so after waiting patiently,
Abraham received what was promised.
•
“Love waits patiently not only because it
deals patiently with the loved one but also because it
recognizes that the right timing plays a huge part in
securing the welfare of the other. Love does not blunder in.”
(Thiselton, p.1047)
Love
shows kindness
• This
verb appears only here in the NT and only in Christian
literature outside the NT.
• But
the adjective and noun forms of the word occur frequently in
ancient Greek literature – so there is no doubt about the
meaning of the word.
•
“The word suggests the warm generous welcome the
Christian always gives his brothers . . .does his utmost to be
thoughtful, helpful and kind, always in a pleasant way.”
(Thiselton quoting C. Spicq, p.1047)
Love does
not burn with envy
• The
Greek word used here can have either a positive or negative
connotation depending on the context – but in either use it
conveys a strong passion.
•
For example it is used positively in
12:31: But eagerly desire
the greater gifts
•
When used negatively as it is here, it
means to burn with envy
•
“Love. . . does not begrudge the status and honor
of another, but delights in it for the sake of the other.”
(Thiselton p.1048)
Love
does not brag
• This
Greek verb appears only here in the NT, but it does appear in
other first century Greek literature.
• An
even better translation might be, “love does not play the
braggart” (Robertson, Word Pictures, IV, p.178)
• The
verb connotes status seeking and an attitude of superiority.
Love
is not inflated with its own importance
•
The Greek word here (phusioo)
comes from a word that was used to refer to a
pair of bellows.
•
This becomes a colorful and vivid metaphor for
becoming blown up with self-importance like the frog in Aesop’s
fables. (Thiselton p. 355)
• The
word appears only seven times in the NT, six of which are in
this letter!
• Here
Paul contrasts love which involves respect and concern for the
welfare of others with an inordinate desire for status and
recognition.
•
How much behavior among believers and even
ministers is actually “attention seeking” designed to impress
others with one’s own supposed importance? (Thiselton
p.1049)
13:5
Love does not behave with ill-mannered impropriety
•
The verb used here appears
only in one other place in the NT:
If anyone thinks that he
is not behaving properly toward his betrothed
(1 Corinthians 7:36 - ESV)
•
The adjectival form of this
word appears only in 1 Corinthians 12:23 where Paul
alludes to “unpresentable” parts of the body, i.e.,
those which good taste and public decorum expect to be
clothed.
•
In all three contexts there is
a contrast between courtesy, good taste, and good public
manners on one hand and self gratification regardless of
appropriate behavior and decorum on the other.
•
In other words, “love does not act in ways
that are contrary to the requirements of propriety and
good order” (Thiselton quoting J. Hering,
p.1049).
Love is not preoccupied with the interests of the self
•
Here we see a contrast between
agape love and
eros love:
–
eros love
seeks to gratify its own desires
–
agape love
seeks to benefit the other person
•
When God’s agape [love] is shed abroad in a
man’s heart through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5) his
life gains a new center. The emphasis is transferred
from his own ego to Christ. (Thiselton quoting
A. Nygren, p. 1051)
•
Agape love is
not looking for its own advantage, but for the good of
others
–
For Christ did
not please himself. .
. (Romans
15:3 - ESV)
–
Nobody
should seek his own good, but the good of others.
(1 Corinthians 10:24)
Love
does not become exasperated into irritation or anger
•
This word implies that one has
been on the receiving end of provocative or irritating
behavior which, were love not present, would result in
exasperation
•
This exasperation then would be
expressed either as irritation or anger
•
“Love, Paul urges, does not become exasperated
into pique [irritation or anger],
–
partly because patience delays exasperation and
–
partly because lack of self-interest diverts a
sense of self-importance away from reacting on the grounds
of wounded pride:
–
‘it is not embittered by injuries, whether real
or supposed’”
–
(Thiselton, p.1052)
Love
does not keep a reckoning up of evil
•
The verb logidzomai
used here is an accounting term which can
refer to a reckoning up of money
•
Here Paul refers to the “reckoning
up” of evil (kakos)
•
“[Love] does not lay the evil which it suffers
to the charge of the wrong-doer. Instead of being resentful,
it is forgiving.” (Charles Hodge, I&II Corinthians,
Banner of Truth, 1978, p.270)
•
“Love does not have ‘the habit still widespread
even among Christians of keeping a reckoning of the faults
of others’” (Thiselton quoting J. Hering, p. 1054)
13:6
Love
does not take pleasure at wrongdoing
•
The phrase (translated “does not
rejoice in unrighteousness” in the NASB) could refer to a
general enjoyment and/or approval of unrighteousness like
Paul speaks of in Romans 1:32 -
Although they know God's
righteous decree that those who do such things deserve
death, they not only continue to do these very things but
also approve of those who practice them.
•
But in this context, all of
the other items listed have to do with how a loving person
should treat others.
•
Therefore Paul probably has a
more specific idea in mind – something to the effect
that love does not gloat over other people’s failures.
•
“If we genuinely love a person, we should not
take pleasure at conduct which affords us the opportunity to
lecture them or rebuke them about their wrongdoing.”
(Thiselton, p.1054)
But
love joyfully celebrates truth
•
The second half of the verse is in
contrast with the first – separated by the word “but”
- [love] does not rejoice in
unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth
(NASB)
•
The second “rejoice” (in the NASB)
is the same word in the original as the first “rejoice” only
with an added prefix (sun-)
which changes the meaning to “rejoice with” or
“celebrate”
•
Genuine love is free to seek
truth, without anxiety about whether it helps or hinders
one’s personal agenda.
•
The symmetry of v. 6a and v. 6b is now
apparent . . . Love takes no pleasure in someone else’s
failure, and delights in integrity and reality. If the
situation is bad, love wants to help; if the situation is
good, love wants to celebrate. (Thiselton, p.1056)
•
Compare with Romans 12:15 -
Rejoice with those who rejoice;
mourn with those who mourn.
13:7
Note on the traditional translation of 1 Corinthians
13:7:
•
The traditional translation of 1
Corinthians 13:7 - [love]
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures
all things is somewhat
misleading.
•
If we take this translation at face
value, for example, we would believe everything?! What
all would that include?!
•
The NIV avoids this problem and
conveys what is more likely the true sense of the original:
[love] always protects, always
trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
•
The all here should describe the
unlimited extent which love demands that we “bear. . . believe.
. . hope”, etc., not the unlimited extent of the content of what
we bear, believe in, or hope for.
Love
never tires of support
•
The exact meaning of this verb
(stego) is open to debate.
•
Scholars generally agree that it
is in the same family of words as the word for “roof”
(stege) – cf. Mark 2:4
•
Thus it could mean:
–
To cover (like a roof
covers a house) “love throws a cloak of silence
over what is displeasing in another person” (BAGD)
–
To bear (i.e. put up with,
cf. 1 Cor. 9:12) although this would seem to be a repeat of
the last word in the verse
–
To protect (NIV)
–
To support –
"like a mother’s love which ceaselessly gives support to her
child" (Thiselton, p.1058)
Love
never loses faith
•
“Is not suspicious, but readily credits what
men say in their own defense.” (Hodge p.271)
•
“Not that a Christian . . . strips himself of
wisdom and discernment . . . not that he has forgotten how
to distinguish black from white!” (Thiselton
quoting Calvin, p.1059)
•
“But being rid of ‘ill-founded suspicion’”
(Thiselton quoting Calvin, p.1059)
•
“‘Believing the best’ about all people”
(Thiselton quoting Augustine, p.1060)
Love
never exhausts hope
•
“Hopes for the best with regard to all men”
(Hodge p.271)
Love
never gives up
•
“The word [hupomeno] is properly
a military word that means to sustain the assault of an
enemy. Hence it is used in the New Testament to express the
idea of sustaining the assaults of suffering or persecution,
in the sense of bearing up under them, and enduring them
patiently.” (Hodge p.271)
•
“Finally [hupomeno]
refers to an endurance of setbacks and rebuffs which never
gives up on people, whatever they do. . .This is agape,
Deluz observes; ‘Like Christ on the cross, love endures
scorn, failure, ingratitude . . . At the end shines out the
light of Easter. For love never ends.’”
(Thiselton, p. 1060)
13:8-13 – In the third
approach Paul teaches the superiority of love over all other Christian
gifts and virtues.
13:8-10 – Love is eternal; the gifts are temporal.
–
8
Love never fails.
–
But where there are prophecies,
they will cease;
–
where there are tongues, they
will be stilled;
–
where there is knowledge, it
will pass away.
–
9
For we know in part and we prophesy in
part,
–
10
but when perfection comes, the imperfect
disappears.
13:11-12 – Two Illustrations demonstrating the superiority of the
eternal state over the present state.
•
Illustration #1:
–
11
When I was a child,
–
I talked like a child,
–
I thought like a child,
–
I reasoned like a child.
–
When I became a man, I put
childish ways behind me.
•
“The impression which the sight of the heavens makes on
the mind of the child is for the child a just and true impression .
. .Yet that impression is very different from that which is made on
the mind of an astronomer. In like manner our views of the divine
things will hereafter be very different from those which we now
have. But it does not thence follow that our present views are
false. They are just as far as they go, they are only inadequate.”
(Hodge, p.273)
•
Illustration #2:
–
12
Now we see but a poor
reflection as in a mirror;
–
then we shall see face to face.
–
Now I know in part;
–
then I shall know fully, even as
I am fully known.
•
It was common in the first century to use
a mirror as a metaphor for indirect knowledge.
•
“Fee correctly perceives Paul’s use of the mirror
metaphor to indicate indirect knowledge. Here the limitations,
fallibility, and ‘interests’ of the observation and inference can
lead to mistaken judgments and opinions” (Thiselton,
p.1069)
13:13 – Of the three eternal virtues (faith, hope, and love), love is
the greatest.
•
Love is the greatest of the three eternal
virtues: faith, hope, and love:
–
And now these three remain:
•
faith,
•
hope and
•
love.
–
But the greatest of these
is love.
•
Note: faith and hope continue in eternity,
but in a different form than the present:
–
We live by faith, not by
sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
–
But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for
what he already has? (Romans 8:24B)