1 Corinthians 13 - Introduction

1CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 13

OUTLINE AND COMMENTARY-MARK DUNAGAN

I. OUTLINE OF CHAPTER 13:

I. Love Is Indispensable: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

II. How Love Manifests Itself: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

III. The Permanency of Love: 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

II. INTRODUCTION TO CHAPTER 13:

'What Paul is about to embark on is. description of what he calls "a way that is beyond comparison." (1 Corinthians 12:31) The way they are going is basically destructive to the church...the way they are being called to is one that seeks the good of others before oneself. It is the way of edifying the church (1 Corinthians 14:1-5), of seeking the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). In that context one will still earnestly desire the things of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:1), but precisely so that others will be edified. Thus it is not "love versus gifts" that Paul has in mind, but "love as the only context for gifts"; for without the former, the latter have no usefulness at all--but then neither does much of anything else in the Christian life.' (Fee p. 625)

'At issue have been opposing views of "spirituality". They speak in tongues, to be sure...But at the same time they tolerate, or endorse, illicit sexuality, greed, and idolatry (1 Corinthians 5:9-10; illustrated in 1 Corinthians 5:1-5; 1 Corinthians 6:1-11; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; 1 Corinthians 8:1-1 Corinthians 10:22). They spout "wisdom" and "knowledge"; but in the former they stand boldly against Paul and his gospel of. crucified Messiah, and in the latter they are willing to "build up". brother by destroying him (1 Corinthians 8:10-11). In short, they have. spirituality that has religious trappings..but has abandoned rather totally genuine Christian ethics, with its supremacy of love..' (Fee p. 627)

Points to Note:

1. More important than the "gifts" of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:7-10), stood the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22)

2. As was said previously, this chapter isn't placing love versus the gifts. Rather, while the gifts would remain operational (1 Corinthians 13:8-13), love was the proper context for such gifts and all religious service. In Chapter 14, Paul will further describe the gifts in. context of love, by using the expression, 'seek to abound for the edification of the church.' (1 Corinthians 14:12)

3. The ancient world (and the modern) is in desperate need of. proper definition of "love".

W.E. Vine, in his dictionary of N.T. words, said concerning this Greek word which is translated 'love': 'the characteristic word of Christianity, and since the Spirit of revelation has used it to express ideas previously unknown. enquiry into its use, whether in Greek literature or in the Septuagint, throws but little light upon its distinctive meaning in the N.T.' (p. 20)

The ancient word, as does the modern, had its words for 'love'. There was the word "eros", which was characteristically the word for love between the sexes. Barclay says, 'This word does not appear in the NT at all, not because the NT despises or rejects physical love, but because by NT times this word had come to be connected with lust rather than with love. Eros, as it had been put, is love still unconverted.' [Note:. Flesh and Spirit. p. 64]

There was the word "philia". The highest word in secular Greek for love. 'It describes. warm, intimate, tender relationship of body, mind and spirit. It includes the physical side of love..And yet even in this word there is something lacking' [Note:. Flesh and Spirit p. 64]

This love would exist between friends, but it wouldn't be the love you would have for an enemy. Hence, even this form of love (intimacy, friendship) falls short of the love needed. (Matthew 5:46)

There was the word "storge". This had the limited meaning of 'family love'. The love of. parent for. child, or the child for. parent. The love between brothers and sisters and other relatives.

But all the various definitions and concepts of 'love' that the world had, failed to properly describe the type of love needed to serve God and others. Before we move on, consider these comments:

'Ordinary human love is. reaction of the heart; it is something which simply happens. We use the phrase "falling in love"...But agape (the word Paul used for 'love')..is an exercise of the total personality. It is. state not only of the heart but also of the mind (Matthew 22:37); it is. state not only of the feelings and the emotions but also of the will. It is not something which simply happens and which we cannot help; it is something into which we have to will ourselves. It is not something with which we have nothing to do...It has indeed been said that in at least one of its aspects apage is the ability and the power and the determination to love the people we do not like. It is certainly true that this..love is not an easy sentimental thing; it is not an automatic and unsought emotional response. It is. victory won over self.' [Note:. Flesh and Spirit p. 66]

III. COMMENTARY ON CHAPTER 13: