1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13:1

Suppose, living centuries ago in Israel, you journey to Jerusalem in order to worship in the temple… Upon your arrival, you ask the whereabouts of the high priest and are told he’s ministering in the holy placethe area in the temple containing the golden candlestick, table of showbread, and the ark of the covenant. “How do you know he’s in there?” you ask. “Listen carefully,” you’re told. As you do, you hear the unmistakable sound of bells ringing inside the holy place. The Book of Exodus tells us that golden bells hung from the hem of the high priest’s robe. We know from Alfred Edersheim and other Bible scholars that these bells were made in such a way that they rang in harmony. When we talk about our great High Priest, Jesus Christ, people sometimes ask how we know He’s alive, how we know He’s truly in heaven interceding on our behalf. We should be able to say to them, “Listen carefully, and you will hear the harmonious ringing of the bells as He works through His body, the church.” The golden bells in biblical typology are a picture of the manifestations, the gifts of the Spirit. As people see the working of the Holy Spirit through words of wisdom, knowledge, and prophecy; through gifts of healing, faith and miracles; through tongues and interpretationas they begin to see the reality of the Spirit of Jesus sounding forth through His body, they will know that He is indeed alive. You see, according to Exo_39:25, between each of the bells on the high priest’s robe was a pomegranatea fruit uniquely related to the Promised Land… When the spies returned from the Promised Land, they came carrying grapes and pomegranates as a sign of the land’s productivity (Num_13:23). In the Song of Solomon, the pomegranate speaks of peace and certainty, beauty and romance (Son_4:3; Son_6:7). Joel refers to the pomegranate in connection with joy (Joe_1:12). The New Testament equivalent is the fruit of the Spirit, which is lovedefined as joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and self-control. Without the pomegranate between the bells on the robe of the high priest, there would be nothing but clanging. This was the case in the church at Corinth. Although Paul says they possessed every gift of the Spirit, they lacked the fruit of the Spirit. This led to all kinds of noise, irritation, and confusion. This is why, between his discussion of the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit in chapters 12 and 14, here in chapter 13, Paul inserts a pomegranatethe fruit of love… The word “tongues” may refer to human dialects or to an angelic language not known on earth. Without love, whatever I say is just noise. The word “charity” appears here rather than the word “love” because the Greek word agape was translated charitas in the Latin Vulgate, the first translation of the original Greek manuscripts. John Wycliffe, the man responsible for translating the Latin Vulgate into English, used a similar-sounding English word for charitas when he used “charity"a word that spoke of giving simply for the sake of giving. Unfortunately, in our day, charity has come to be associated with pity. So modern translators have rightly chosen the word “love” rather than the maligned “charity.” Yet, even the word “love” is not without its problems. I love my wife. I love my kids. I love Big Macs. I love walks in the park on summer evenings. We use the word “love” so freely that we diminish its meaning. The Greeks circumvented this problem by using four words for love… Storgi means affection. Storgi is the kind of love one feels toward his cat or dog. Eros refers to sexual, physical love. Phileo, from which we get the name “Philadelphia,” speaks of brotherly love. Phileo says, “If you’re nice to me, I’ll be nice to you.” It wasn’t until the New Testament apostles introduced the concept of unconditional love that the Greeks added agape to their vocabulary. Agape is a love that gives simply for the sake of giving, never expecting anything in return. People who don’t know the Lord can experience all of the other kinds of love. But for them, agape is impossible because it is found only in God. Agape is the love of which Paul speaks when he says, “If I don’t have love, I’m just making noise even if I speak in tongues fluently.” In the year 1647, during England’s Civil War, a deserter in Cromwell’s army was captured and brought before him. “When the curfew bell sounds tonight, you shall be executed,” said the general. But that night, the curfew bell was not heard. Upon investigation, it was discovered that, receiving news of her fianci’s sentence, his betrothed made her way quickly to the camp and hid in the bell tower. As curfew neared, she positioned herself within the bell in such a way that when the rope was pulled, the clapper hit her body rather than the inside of the bell. Seeing the bruised and battered lady standing before him, Cromwell was so deeply touched by her love that the soldier’s life was spared. Jesus Christ climbed not a bell tower, but the hill of Calvary in order that you and I would be spared the execution we so rightfully deserve. Whether the word is charity, love, or agape, the love Jesus showed us, the love we are to extend to one another is spelled one way: S-a-c-r-i-f-i-c-e.

1 Corinthians 13:2

Jesus said faith only the size of a mustard seed could move mountains (Mat_17:20). But Paul says even though one has all faiththe fullest possible expression of faithif it is without love, it doesn’t amount to a hill of beans. Paul would tell the Galatians that faith works by love (Gal_5:6). God can only entrust true faith to the one able to love, for the power of faith would be dangerous in the hands of one who doesn’t love (Luk_9:54).

1 Corinthians 13:3

Even if a person were so zealous that he burned out for Jesus, his zeal would mean nothing without love. Following Paul’s admonition to love in verses 1Co_13:1-3 is a definition of love in verses 1Co_13:4-13…

1 Corinthians 13:4

“Lord, how often should I forgive someone who offends me? Seven times?” Peter asked, perhaps thinking Jesus would be impressed with his growth. “You’re to forgive seven times seventy,” Jesus answered (see Mat_18:22). In other words, “You’re to keep forgiving until you lose track of how many times someone has offended you.” Love never says, “I’ve had enough.” It suffers indefinitely. Love not only suffers long, but it is kind. I believe we would do well to examine well-meaning activism through the lens of agape. Is what we’re doing in the name of righteousness kind? Love is long-sufferingyet while it’s suffering, it doesn’t become cynical or bitter. It remains kind. Love never asks why another is exalted or promoted. Love doesn’t try to prove itself. It doesn’t say, “Watch how loving I can be.” Rather, it works behind the scenes. A Deeper Look A Topical Study of 1Co_13:4 The description of agape seen in 1 Corinthians 13 is glorious indeed. But, to the believer, this passage can be very frustrating as well. You see, in 1 Corinthians 13, we read that love is longsuffering and kind, that it neither envies nor seeks its own, that it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things, that it never fails. “What a beautiful description of love,” we say with one breath, but, “too bad I’m so far from it,” with the next. Today, however, I want you to look at the chapter before us from a slightly different perspective. The apostle John tells us that God is loveliterally that God is agape (1Jn_4:16). Paul tells us that this Fountainhead of agape, the Essence of love, God Himself demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners He died in place of us (Rom_5:8). Seen in this light, 1 Corinthians 13 becomes not only an exhortation to love others, but, more importantly, a description of God’s love for us… Love suffereth long…1Co_13:4 (a) God suffers long. He suffers long toward me. Think of Jesus on the Cross. As men cursed Him and spit on Him, what did He do? He suffered long. He said, “Father forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing” (see Luk_23:34). My tendency is to think I’ve blown it so badly that surely God has given up on me. But the Cross shows me otherwise. …and is kind…1Co_13:4 (b) If you think God is vengeful, angry, and mean-spirited, you have the wrong image of God. So kind, so gentle, so big-hearted is He that He does more for us than we could ever ask or even think (Eph_3:20). The psalmist tells us that the Lord will withhold no good thing from those that love Him (Psa_84:11). Therefore, if I’m not getting something for which I’m asking, it’s because what I’m asking for would not be good for me. If the timing isn’t right, if the request is wrong, He’ll withhold it not because He’s mean, but because He is love. …love envieth not…1Co_13:4 (c) Bound together in the Trinity, Father, Son, and Spirit are completely self-sufficient and totally happy. God says, “I want to walk with you; I’ll never give up on you; I avail Myself to youbut I’m not dependent on you.” God’s love is mature. …love vaunteth not itself…1Co_13:4 (d) God doesn’t have to hype Himself. What He says, He does. Who He claims to be, He really is. …is not puffed up.1Co_13:4 (e) God doesn’t say, “I’m God and you’re dust.” No, He came to dwell among us, to walk with us, to die for us. And He’s the same today. He’s always available to me, always ready to hear my prayers, always ready to share with me truths from His Word. When I read 1 Corinthians 13 in this light, what does it do? The apostle John tells us exactly what it does when he literally says, “We love because He first loved us” (see 1Jn_4:19). The person who understands that 1 Corinthians 13 is most fundamentally talking about the nature and character of God’s love toward him personally will be one who inevitably overflows with love to the people around him. We looked at only one verse in Paul’s perfectly placed pomegranate of love. As you make your way through the rest of the chapter, you will see God’s love for you in every verse. Marvel at it. Bask in it. Then let it overflow from your life to everyone around you.

1 Corinthians 13:5

Some people confuse weirdness with love. Some people say, “I’m going to demonstrate my love for Jesus with a megaphone and a sandwich board. Sure, people might think I’m weird, but it’s because I’m so radical in my love for God.” Concerning Jesus, Isaiah prophesied and Matthew confirmed that He did not strive or cry in the streets (Isa_42:2; Mat_12:19). In fact, so unrecognizable was Jesus that He had to be identified to the soldiers who came to arrest Him (Luk_22:48). Sometimes people put pressure on us to cry in the streets, to take a stand. But I look at Jesus and see that He exuded such love, warmth, and integrity that people flocked to Him. Mark tells us the common people heard Him gladly (Mar_12:37). It was the religious folks who had problems with Him. I wonder if that hasn’t been reversed far too often in our dayto the point where religious people understand us, but common people want nothing to do with us because they think we’re bizarre. Because love doesn’t behave unseemly, this ought not be. Love doesn’t demand its own way. Although it is not italicized, the word “easily” does not appear in any of the Greek manuscripts. Thus, love is simply not provoked. Phileo, eros, storgi can become irritated, aggravated, provoked. But not agape. Newer translations render this “is not suspicious.” True love trusts. When I think I can’t trust him, or that I’ve got to keep my eye on her, it’s because I no longer believe that God is on the throne, able to deal with the situation. All things are naked and open before Him with whom we deal (Heb_4:13). In addition, God chastens and corrects those He loves (Heb_12:6). Therefore, agape love doesn’t think evil of people because it has absolute trust in the faithfulness of the Father.

1 Corinthians 13:6

True love does not rejoice when trouble or problems befall anothereven if they’re a result of his own stupidity or iniquity. Some translators render “truth” as “good.” In other words, love says to another, “You’re lifted up? You’re being honored? Great! I’m delighted for you!” Love rejoices when the other guy does well, when the other guy is blessed.

1 Corinthians 13:7

If you are one who bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things, people will accuse you of being blind to certain situations. But they will be wrong. Agape love is not blind. Quite the opposite. Because love sees more, it’s willing to see less. What does love see? It sees the price that was paid on the Cross of Calvary for the person or situation that threatens to make us mad or bitter. The older I get, the more clearly I see the work of the Cross. I see the reality of the Holy Spirit’s power to convict people. I see the promise of the Fatherthat in due season, if they choose not to listen to the Word and respond to the Spirit, their sin will track them down (Num_32:23). Therefore, rather than feeling I have to solve every problem and deal with every situation, I can simply bear with, believe in, and hope the best for people because of the commitment Jesus made to them when He died for them. How can we exhibit this kind of love? The only way is to let Jesus Christ live it through us, for He is the embodiment of these characteristics. We can’t psyche ourselves into this, gang. This kind of love is nothing less than the fruit of the Spirit. But as I walk with the Lord, talk to the Lord, and learn about the Lord, His Spirit produces this character in me ever so slowly, but ever so surely. “If you abide in Me,” Jesus said, “you shall bring forth much fruit” (see Joh_15:5). What fruit? Love. He told us we’re branches, and that He is the Vine. What do branches do? Just hang in there, close to the vine. Therefore, as I stay connected to the Vine by getting to know Him and enjoying Him, the fruit will come of its own. Fruit comes when you continue doing just what you’re doing nowspending time with Him, hanging in there week after week, month after month, year after year. Slowly, but surely, as you stay connected to Jesus, more and more of His agape love will seep through you. You watch; you wait; you’ll see.

1 Corinthians 13:8

Prophecy, tongues, words of knowledge will one day all vanish. Why? In heaven there will be no need for prophecywords of edification, exhortation, or comfortbecause everyone will be perfectly comforted and edified in heaven and will no longer need to be exhorted. Unknown tongues will vanish because everything will be known in heaven. And words of knowledge will be swallowed up in the perfect knowledge we’ll have when we see Jesus (verse 1Co_13:12).

1 Corinthians 13:9

Debate continues over the meaning of “that which is perfect.” Some say “that which is perfect” refers to the Bible. They say the canonization of the New Testament negated the need for prophecy, words of knowledge, and words of wisdom, since everything man needed to know could be found in Scripture. Yet, I find it interesting that this interpretationso common in our timewas not suggested by a single commentator until shortly after 1906the year of the Azusa Street Revival wherein an outpouring of the Holy Spirit took place that spread across the country and ultimately around the world. Those in the body of Christ who were threatened by this revival used this text to say, “Prophecy, tongues, and knowledge will vanish when that which is perfect is come. The Bible is that which is perfect. Therefore, there is no need for these manifestations anymore.” The problem is, not only is this a relatively new interpretation of this passage, but it violates the context. Paul is not talking about the Bible. He’s talking about seeing Jesus face-to-face. It will be when Jesus comes again that there will be no need for prophecy, tongues, or interpretation. So it is my strong opinion that “that which is perfect” refers to the perfect OneJesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 13:11

Mirrors as we know them did not exist until the mid-1200s. Prior to that time, polished brass or ordinary glass was used to see one’s imagealbeit only dimly, or “darkly.” Thus, Paul says that although we see things spiritually, we don’t see them clearly. We still have lots of questions. When we see Jesus, we shall be like Him (1Jn_3:2). At that point, we will see clearly at last. Jesus knows every detail of my lifeeven to the number of hairs on my head. And when I see Him, I’ll know Him in the same way.

1 Corinthians 13:13

Faith looks back. Faith tells me Jesus came. Faith allows me to embrace what Jesus did for me on the Cross. Faith reminds me that my sins are forgiven. Therefore, I don’t have to worry about or be haunted by my past. Hope looks ahead. Hope tells me Jesus is coming. Hope reminds me I don’t have to be upset or uptight about the future. Love looks around. Love tells me Jesus is here. Love frees me in the present. Many believers have a “mattress spirituality.” That is, knowing their sins are forgiven, they have no question about their past. Knowing they’re going to heaven, they have no question about their future. It’s the present that presents problems. Like a mattress, they’re firm on both ends, but they sag in the middle. As essential as faith and hope are, Paul singles out love as the greatest virtue because it is only through love that we are able to respond to God and to others presently. You see, the person who lacks faith will not be able to love in the present because he will be paralyzed by the hurts and sins of his past. On the other hand, the person who lacks hope will not be able to love in the present because he will be too worried about his retirement account in the future. Only the person who has put his past behind him through the power of the Cross, only the person who looks forward to the future through the promise of heaven can truly love in the present.