Love
is patient
love
is kind and is not jealous
love
does not brag and is not arrogant
does
not act unbecomingly
it
does not seek its own
is
not provoked, does not take into account a wrong
but
rejoices with the truth
does
not rejoice in unrighteousness
bears
all things
believes
all things
hopes
all things
endures
all things
Love
never fails
(1Co 13:4-8)
The impact of the quotation obscures the shortfall of its application.
It is considerably easier to be moved by the music of the quotation than to put
the sentiments into practice. We can easily become enamoured with the author’s flawless
elucidation and be wooed by sentiments of love, yet not stirred to loving
action. It is like listening to a passionate aria in Puccini’s La Boheme, the
music evokes emotions of beauty and love, while the lyrics portray scenes of
comedy. There is nothing wrong with enjoying beautifully expressed descriptions
of anything in scripture or elsewhere, but it is the purpose of the communications
that must be acted upon. This delightful description of love so often quoted
during marriage ceremonies had a loftier intent than simply stirring emotions.
It is set as an interlude in Paul’s instruction to Christians in conflict.
Believers in Corinth had divided loyalties, they were striving for power,
ignoring one another’s needs, and boasting about gifts given them by God. The
Corinthian assemblies were not following Christ-like principles; the name of
Christ was being defamed. The shorter quotation on love was never intended to
be taken out of its context. The entire discourse on love was the centerpiece
to the instructions given on spiritual decorum. Concluding the first phase, the
discourse on love segued to the second phase of instructions. It presented a
perfect alternative to the bad behaviour of the Corinthians.
Paul’s description of love expresses God’s nature as John
wrote,
We have come to know and have believed
the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love
abides in God, and God abides in him.”[1]
Paul’s attention to the defining character of love was not for poetic reasons,
but as he wrote, “…earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still
more excellent way.[2]
The “excellent way” is life motivated and governed by love.
The first portion of Paul’s homily on love described the emptiness and futility
of religion and life without love.
If I speak with the tongues of men and
of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging
cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all
knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have
love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor,
and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me
nothing.[3]
Paul began by pointing out that anything believers did or
held as objects of religious pride were worthless without love. The exercise of
spiritual gifts, speaking in tongues of ecstasy, prophesying, expansive
knowledge, or extreme acts of sacrifice, were worthless before God unless they
were, motivated by, and demonstrated, love.
The last phrase in the description of love is, “Love never fails.” Moving on Paul states
the durability of love as opposed to the temporary nature of supernatural
gifts.
Love never fails; but if there are
gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues,
they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. For we
know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial
will be done away.[4]
The arguments among Corinthian believers centered on
spiritual gifts. Paul addressed the schisms fragmenting their fellowship,
pointing out the need for unity, and on the subject of love he spoke of the
continuing requirement for love in God’s kingdom verses the temporary period in
which the spiritual gifts would be available.
When I was a child, I used to speak
like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I
did away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face
to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have
been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest
of these is love.[5]
Supporting the foregoing discussion Paul emphasised the need
for the Corinthians to recognize the period in which they lived, a very special
time, the development of kingdom life under the shadow of Judaism. In that time
were special gifts that would not continue after the end of Judaism. They were
still under a religious shadow, but would soon be free from its obscurity. The
Corinthians were mistakenly hanging on to elements of religion that were
temporary, they weren’t focused on the vital components of life in Christ.
But now faith, hope, love, abide these
three; but the greatest of these is love.
It wasn’t that believers should disregard the gifts of God;
under no circumstance, gifts were valuable assets in teaching about the
kingdom. The prime characteristic of all believers had to be love. God’s love
brought his Son into the world, Jesus’ love sent him to the grave as a
sacrifice, and the believers’ love was to speak to the world of God’s grace.
We give thanks to God, the Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in
Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; because of the
hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word of
truth, the gospel which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is
constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in
you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God
in truth…[6]
The Corinthian believers were instructed to recognize the
temporary nature of spiritual gifts. Pursuing gifts for the purpose of being
better than others was wrong, it sent a message antithetical to Christ’s
teaching and nature. There is a warning to all who would be religious; do not
live in the shadow seeking personal gratification, any religious activity that
is not based on love, demonstrate love, or lead to love is temporal.
For God so loved the world, that He
gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but
have eternal life.[7]
In this brief sentence life in Christ is defined, God loved,
believe in Jesus, and hope of life. Or, as Paul wrote, “now faith, hope, love,
abide… not the temporary gifts over which the believers in Corinth were
fighting. Not personal glory, not pride, and not ritualistic religion. Life in
Christ is, loving people, faith in Jesus, and hope of life.
Jesus teaches on
“what really matters.”
In everything do to others as you would
have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.[8]
It would have been a shocking revelation to any Jew at that
time to hear Jesus suggest that the Law could be summed up in one’s treatment
of other people. The fact however, was that those listening to Jesus
acknowledged his teaching as impressive, “the crowds were astounded at his
teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.”[9]
At a later date, responding to the question, “which commandment in the law is
the greatest?” Jesus answered;
"'You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is
the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love
your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the
prophets."[10]
The sentence commanding love for God is found in Deut 6:5
and forms the first part of the Jewish Shema, “the oldest fixed daily prayer in
Judaism, recited morning and night since ancient times.”[11]
The injunction to love your neighbour as yourself is located in Lev 19:18.
Interestingly neither of the two primary laws were included in the Ten
Commandments. In his teaching Jesus endeavoured to illuminate aspects of the
law and prophets that through legalistic and ritualistic interpretation had
lost. That, true religion was based on love for God and others astounded his
audience. Up to that point they had never heard the scripture explained in that
way. Service to God was through loving action, not only ritualistic compliance.
Thus you will know them by their
fruits. Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of
heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day
many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast
out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?' Then I will
declare to them, 'I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.'[12]
By itself out of context this section bemoans hopelessness.
Looking at the religious success of the people Jesus rejected, leaves very
little reason for us to have any hope. The attributes of the “many” were not
trifling; they prophesied in Jesus name, cast out demons in Jesus name, and did
many miraculous things in Jesus name. To the “many” Jesus said, “go away, I
don’t know you!” If Jesus didn’t recognize eminently religious people, what
hope do ordinary people have? We need to back up a little and notice how Jesus
began his statement, “Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the
kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.”
The fault cannot be with what the “many” did in Jesus name. There is nothing
inherently wrong in any of the religious activities done by the “many”. The most
probable reason for rejection was not what they had done, but the motivation
behind their doing things. A contrast is made between doing the will of God and
their performance of otherwise legitimate activities. The will of God was
summed up as, “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you; for
this is the law and the prophets.”
If I speak with the tongues of men and
of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging
cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all
knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have
love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor,
and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me
nothing.[13]
Jesus did not condemn prophesying in his name, or, casting
out demons in his name, or, performing miracles in his name. He condemned doing
those things without love, or, doing them for selfish purposes.
"When the Son of Man comes in his
glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his
glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people
one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will
put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will
say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I
was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to
drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me
clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited
me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you
hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when
was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you
clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?'
And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of
the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.' Then he
will say to those at his left hand, 'You that are accursed, depart from me into
the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and
you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a
stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing,
sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer,
'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or
sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?' Then he will answer them,
'Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you
did not do it to me.' And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the
righteous into eternal life."[14]
The teaching of Jesus focused on the kingdom of God. His
purpose in coming to earth was to open a way for people to enter that kingdom.
Through his death he set in motion events that would reconcile believers to
God. The scene above picturing the separation of righteous from unrighteous was
to accommodate all those who lived before his death. That was the “the great
and glorious day of the Lord”[15]
prophesied by Joel, and referenced by Peter. The judgment spoken of in the
parables of Jesus was that at the end of the Jewish age. That judgment was
necessary because the sins of Israel were rolled forward year after year, only
to be forgiven via the sacrifice of Jesus. Judgment doesn’t apply to those in
Christ after his death; believers are in the kingdom of God,
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who
hears my word, and believes Him who sent me, has eternal life, and does not
come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.”[16]
The kingdom of God was restored on earth in Jesus’ return.
The judgment on Jerusalem and destruction of the temple announced the
completion of God’s restoration of the kingdom of heaven on earth. The judgment
of the righteous and unrighteous emphasised love and compassion toward others
as the basis for acceptance. Running through the law and prophets is the same
spirit of love.
The stranger who resides with you shall
be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you
were aliens in the land of Egypt; I am the LORD your God.[17]
With what shall I come to the LORD and
bow myself before the God on high? Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings,
with yearling calves? Does the LORD take delight in thousands of rams, in ten
thousand rivers of oil? Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious
acts, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has told you, O man, what
is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love
kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?[18]
Believers soon after the death of Jesus were instructed to
demonstrate love in their lives.
Since you have in obedience to the
truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love
one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is
perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring
word of God.[19]
The end of all things is near;
therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of
prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love
covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaint.[20]
By this the children of God and the
children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness
is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother.[21]
We know that we have passed out of
death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in
death.[22]
It is evident from the teaching of Jesus that life in the
kingdom of God exemplifies love. The religious accomplishments of people who
were rejected were not themselves wrong or sinful. Miracle working is not
available to believers today, that ability ended with the Jewish age. Believers
today still can be absorbed in religious programs to their detriment, just like
those who performed miracles yet were rejected by Jesus. It is not what they
do, but their motivation that is questionable. If involvement in any good work
is self-serving or for self-justification, it is not acceptable to Christ.
A new commandment I give to you, that
you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one
another.[23]
Love among the disciples would advertise that they were
disciples of Jesus. There is no better way for Jesus to be seen in any age than
through the love that exists among believers. Believers reflecting God’s love
and grace in their lives is better than the broken fragmented portrait of God
seen in the bickering and bitterness of denominations. Divided over doctrine
and separated by pride, believers fail to display God in their lives. Jesus
claimed to be the light of the world, telling his disciples that they were
lights in the world. Disciples were to reflect the light of God in Jesus
through their own lives. That is what believers are to do today. As Jesus was
the exact representation of God, believers are to represent Jesus in the way
they live. That cannot be done without love.
… God demonstrates His own love toward
us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.[24]
Without God’s love mankind would be hopelessly lost. Without
the expression of God’s love by disciples the world will not see God.
Growing
in love
Love isn't something natural. Rather it
requires discipline, concentration, patience, faith, and the overcoming of
narcissism. It isn't a feeling, it is a practice.[25]
Love is not primarily a relationship to a specific person; it is an attitude,
an ordination of character which determines the relatedness of the person to
the whole world as a whole, not toward one object of love.[26]
Love means to commit oneself without guarantee, to give oneself completely
in the hope that our love will produce love in the loved person. Love is an act
of faith, and whoever is of little faith is also of little love.[27]
ἀγάπη - agape
With reference to God's love, it is
God's willful direction toward man. It involves God doing what He knows is best
for man and not necessarily what man desires.[28]
The love required of believers is the same love that God
demonstrated in sending his own son into the world. This love is used
consistently through 1Corinthians 13. A love that does not require
reciprocation, but given freely.
God’s love channeling through disciples in service to others
strengthens the bond between God and the believer. Sharing God’s love
strengthens the giver; the more one demonstrates God’s love, the closer he or
she becomes with God through Christ. I like the quote by Fromm, love “…requires discipline,
concentration, patience, faith, and the overcoming of narcissism. It isn't a
feeling, it is a practice.” I think it very important as Fromm said that people
have to overcome self-absorption in order to let the love of God reflect
through their lives. Paul I believe suggests this;
I have been crucified with Christ; and
it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I
now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave
Himself up for me.[29]
Obviously Paul had attained a level of submission and love
that few of us will ever achieve, but loving is a journey. Again as Erich Fromm wrote, “Love isn't
something natural.”
But in all these things we
overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that
neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present,
nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing,
will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our
Lord.[30]
Living and sharing love reinforces confidence in God’s love.
Loving others because God loves us enables us to be secure in God’s promises,
to trust God, and to acknowledge God’s faithfulness to his word and to us. Godliness
might be defined as God’s love invested in Jesus flowing through our lives to
people in our sphere of influence. The very nature of God reaching people
through Christ’s disciples. As the world appears to get darker, God’s love will
grow brighter reflected through believers.
Who will separate us from the love of
Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness,
or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, "For your sake we are being put
to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered." But
in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I
am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor
things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any
other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is
in Christ Jesus our Lord.[31]
Paul’s reality check; tribulation, distress, persecution,
famine, nakedness, peril, or even death,
none of these can separate us from Christ’s love. We are absolutely guaranteed
victory. As he suggested there will be sacrifice, we are not promised that life
on earth will always be pain or suffering free, but that’s not what Jesus died
for. Jesus died so that we can enter the eternal paradise of God. Getting
through this life and moving toward our goal may be perilous at times, but
we’ll make it with God’s help. That is what Paul was writing about; confidence
in love.
Be of the same mind toward one another;
do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your
own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right
in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace
with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the
wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, i will
repay," says the Lord. "But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if
he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on
his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.[32]
The practice of love brings in peace of mind, it also removes
the burden of us having to make things right. The railings of atheists and idol
worshippers are silenced by love. Believers through love echo the security of
knowing all is well; “…the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth be
silent before Him.” The practice of love permits God to handle situations over
which we have no control. Through loving, enemies are thwarted, those deserving
punishment will get it from God, and believers can focus on becoming more like
Jesus.
[1] 1Jn
4:16
[2] 1Co
12:31
[3] 1Co
13:1-3
[4] 1Co
13:8-10
[5] 1Co
13:11-13
[6] Col
1:3-5
[7]
John 3:16
[8] Mat
7:12
[9] Mat
7:28, 29
[10] Mat
22:37-40
[11] Judaism 101
[12] Mat
7:20-23
[13] 1Co
13:1-3
[14] Mat
25:31-46
[15] Acts 2:20
[16] John
5:24
[17] Lev
19:34
[18] Mic
6:6-8
[19] 1Pe
1:22, 23
[20] 1Pe
4:7-9
[21] 1Jn
3:10
[22] 1Jn
3:14
[23] John
13:34, 35
[24] Rom
5:8
[25] The Art of Loving, by Erich Fromm
[26] Ibid
[28]
The Complete WordStudy Dictionary
[29] Gal
2:20
[30] Rom
8:37-39
[31] Rom
8:35-39
[32] Rom
12:16-21
