_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._ CHARITY Each of the apostles had a predominant feature of character. Paul’s was faith; John’s love. And yet it was not to John that the office was assigned of expoundi... [ Continue Reading ]
_And though I have the gift of prophecy … and have not charity, I am nothing._ STRONG LOVE These are the words of a man of high culture, who could prophesy and work miracles, and had attained great faith, to the most learned nation in the world. See how he loads the scales and strikes the balance... [ Continue Reading ]
_And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and … give my body to be burned._ TRUE CHARITY I. “Though i bestow all my goods to feed the poor.” Literally, “bestow all my substance in food”: turn it all into charitable doles. Well, all this lavish benevolence will bring no profit if unaccomp... [ Continue Reading ]
_Charity suffereth long, and is kind._ CHRISTIAN LOVE I. Suffers long. The Greek denotes having the power “to hold the mind long,” _i.e.,_ it is the opposite to rash anger. There are persons who, when they are afflicted by Providence, or provoked by man, are unable to hold their minds. Like the wa... [ Continue Reading ]
_Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth_. CHARITY CANNOT REJOICE IN INIQUITY, BUT MUST REJOICE IN THE TRUTH I. Iniquity expresses unevenness or inequality--a want of rectitude or moral principle. In its largest comprehension, as here used by St. Paul, it is the great falsehood broug... [ Continue Reading ]
BEARETH … BELIEVETH … HOPETH … ENDURETH ALL THINGS. LOVE’S LABOURS Notice-- I. The multitude of love’s difficulties. 1. The difficulties of love are many, for the apostle sets forth the opposing armies as four times “all things.” You will have to contend with “all things”-- (1) Within yourself.... [ Continue Reading ]
CHARITY NEVER FAILETH;… PROPHECIES SHALL FAIL;… TONGUES SHALL CEASE;… KNOWLEDGE SHALL VANISH AWAY. CHARITY NEVER FAILETH I. As the living principle in the heart of believers. In its essence it is the love of God within a man. It may vary indeed in its apparent intensity. It may seem almost extingu... [ Continue Reading ]
_We know in part, and we prophesy in part._ WE KNOW IN PART I. The imperfection of our knowledge. 1. We know but little. 2. That little is mixed with much error. 3. Includes much that is useless. 4. Is very imperfectly apprehended. II. Its causes. 1. Intellectual. 2. Physical. 3. Moral. I... [ Continue Reading ]
_But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away._ THE PERFECT STATE I. What hope have we of it? 1. Founded on human instinct. 2. Confirmed by revelation. 3. Secured by faith. II. What relief will it bring? 1. The removal of all defect. 2. Consequently o... [ Continue Reading ]
_When I was a child, I spake,… understood, … thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things._ CHILDHOOD 1. This is the only reference which the apostle makes to his childhood, and without dwelling on the connection, the reference is beautiful and touching. He was born at Ta... [ Continue Reading ]
_For now we see through a glass darkly._ SEEING DARKLY I. We see through a glass darkly. 1. There is a literal significance in these words. With our physical organs of vision we do not see essential realities. This is an elementary law of optics; our sensuous vision is only a mirror upon which re... [ Continue Reading ]