February 19, 2012 pm
STUDIES IN 1 CORINTHIANS
- 43
The Importance of Love
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
a.
Read 1 Corinthians
13:1-13
b.
In this chapter Paul –
1) Demonstrates that without love their spiritual gifts were
meaningless;
2) Describes how proper love is superior to spiritual gifts;
3) Contrasts the permanence of love to the temporary nature of spiritual
gifts.
c.
IT is my plan to examine
this chapter in 3 lessons based upon these three sections.
d.
NOTE: We have studied
this text in times past as we discuss the importance of love.
AND in our study we will reemphasize these things.
But we will also examine this text in light of the context in
which it was inserted – abuse of spiritual gifts and WHY love is “a more
excellent way.”
There are some who question whether or not Paul wrote this chapter or
that perhaps it was something he had written previously and inserted it
here. But, a close
examination of the text shows how it is related to spiritual gifts.
i.
Paul ties it to
spiritual gifts in the expression of 12:31
ii.
Paul mentions spirituals
gifts in describing the importance of love – speaking in tongues, gifts
of prophecy and understanding (13:1-3)
iii.
In listing the
attributes of love (13:4-8), you find qualities that will ensure the
ministration of spiritual gifts is done properly.
iv.
In vs. 8-12 he speaks of
spiritual gifts being done away with, mentioning many of them by name.
e.
Why is love “a more
excellent way” than spiritual gifts?
i.
Because it is the motive
that will ensure that these spiritual gifts are properly used.
In chapter 14 we will see instructions concerning spiritual gifts
in the assembling of the saints.
ii.
Because with love, the
varieties of gifts can unite us in purpose rather than drive a wedge
between us, which is what was happening at Corinth.
iii.
Because love is
something that we can do even if we DON’T have spiritual gifts.
Everyone can and needs to demonstrate this love as Christians. In
this chapter we shall see that spiritual gifts served a temporary
purpose, while love is needed ALWAYS.
iv.
Because love ought to be
at the foundation of EVERYTHING we do as Christians.
v.
Because love transcends
earthly boundaries – vs. 13. It
is something we can take with us when our journey here is complete.
It is a “treasure” laid up in heaven
(Matt. 6:19)
a.
One of the challenges we
face in defining this term is its use in the English language.
It can mean many things and the context determines that meaning.
It is proper in English to say, “I love God”, “I love my wife”,
“I love my friends”, “I love chocolate cake”, “I love my country” and
speak of sexual love, etc.
The same word has many different flavors.
Because of this, man sometimes confuses the Biblical concept of
love seeking to equate it with human love.
b.
There are 4 Greek words
translated “love” in the English language.
i.
Eros – which is sexual
or erotic love. Never
mentioned in scripture.
ii.
Stergo – which is
descriptive of natural affection, such as that of a parent for their
child or a close relationship.
The word is not used
by itself, but negatively it is mentioned in 2 Tim. 3:3 & Romans 1:31 –
unloving (without love)
iii.
Phileo – which means a
friendly love or the love of a friend.
The term “brotherly love” is a derivative of this word.
It is the Greek word transliterated, “Philadelphia” – Heb. 13:1,
1 Thess. 4:9, 2 Pet. 1:7, Rev. 3:7
iv.
Agape – the word
translated love (“charity” – KJV) throughout this chapter.
c.
The Greek word, agape.
i.
Defined, vine’s
describes this word as, “the characteristic word of Christianity”
Thayer describes it as “to be full of goodwill and exhibit the same”
ii.
My definition, “Caring
enough to sacrifice for what is best.”
iii.
Jesus emphasized this
love in passages such as
Matt. 22:37-39 finds it as the first and second commandments.
iv.
Paul emphasized this
love – Eph. 5:2 says, “And walk in
love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering
and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”
1 Cor. 16:14 as he summarizes his letter he says, “Let all that you do
be done with love.”
Galatians 5:13, “through love serve one another.”
Gal. 5:22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy…”
A characteristic of unity – Eph. 4:1-3, Phil. 2:1-2, etc
v.
John frequently referred
to it extensively in his letters.
d.
It is to govern every
relationship we have as Christians
i.
God’s love for us – John
3:16, Rom. 5:8
ii.
Jesus’ love for us –
John 15:12-13 – his willingness to lay down His life for us
Eph. 5:25 says that He loved the church and gave Himself for it.
iii.
Our love for God and
Jesus – John 15:10, 14:15 – if we love Him we will keep His
commandments. Also 1 John
5:3, “For this is the love of God,
that we keep His commandments.
And His commandments are not burdensome.”
iv.
Our love for our
brethren – John 13:34-35 – a demonstration to all that we are His
disciples.
1 Thess. 4:9 - we are taught
to love one another (1 John 4:10-11, 20-21)
v.
Our love for our
neighbors – Jas. 2:8 – the royal law, Rom. 13:9-10, Matt. 22:39, Gal.
5:14
vi.
Our love for our enemies
– Matt. 5:43-44
vii.
Considering how this
governs every relationship, it is imperative that we study this love and
seek to demonstrate it in our lives.
a.
The importance of love
is emphasized in numerous other texts –
1 John 4:7-11 we are told that love is of God, even “love is God”
It is at the pinnacle of the “Christian graces” – 2 Pet. 1:5-7
It demonstrates to the world that we are His disciples
b.
1 Cor. 13:1 - Without
love – our words are just an irritating noise to God.
Notice how in this text Paul speaks of the “tongues of men and of
angels.”
i.
The tongues of men has reference
to languages – just like on Pentecost where many nations were gathered
in Jerusalem. Acts 2:11 said
that they heard the apostles speak “in our tongues the wonderful works
of God.” We will have more
to say about this when we address our next chapter.
Rom. 14:11 says “every tongue shall confess to God.”
ii.
The tongues of angels is
uncertain, but there is no indication it is a mysterious language known
only to them. But we know
that whenever angels spoke, their message was always direct and clearly
understood. Since they
delivered the message of God it was exactly what needed to be said.
iii.
Application – If I had
the ability to speak languages fluently (suppose I could speak every
language and dialect), or if I had the ability to deliver the message of
God’s word with maximum impact in all situations (tactfully, skillfully
and convincingly) as if God were speaking Himself – IF there is no love
– to God it is noise.
c.
1 Cor. 13:2 - Without
love – our abilities are nothing
i.
In this verse Paul
mentions the spiritual gifts of prophecy and understanding all mysteries
and all knowledge.
ii.
WE have noted that
prophets were messengers of God who revealed His will.
In general, most prophets did not know all of God’s will (cf. 1
Cor. 13:9, “we prophecy in part”; 1 Pet. 1:10-12 also indicates that as
they prophesied there was not complete understanding.)
As to understanding all mysteries – there are things known only to God,
until He wills to reveal it. For example – Eph. 3:3-6 where Paul had
made known to him “the mystery”
Knowledge would be perfect understanding of God’s will, either on a
particular subject or all that He reveals.
I am reminded of the promise of Jesus to His apostles when He
left – the Holy Spirit would come who would “guide you into all truth.”
(John 16:13, 14:26)
iii.
He also mentions “all
faith so that I could remove mountains” – we continually emphasize the
importance of faith. (Heb. 11:6)
One of the great weaknesses many face is a lack of faith or a
weak faith (Rom. 14:1, Jas. 1:6-7, etc.)
On more than one occasion, Jesus rebuked His apostles for their lack of
faith (Matt. 8:26, 14:31, 16:8, 17:20)
iv.
Application – IF I had
the ability to prophecy (a gift that God placed second only to the work
of the apostles) or understood ALL mysteries and knowledge (if I
understood everything about God and knew His will perfectly;
If I memorized the Bible from cover to cover and properly and
fully comprehended every doctrine) and if my faith was so great I could
do anything that I needed to do, IF I do not have love – to God I am
nothing! In other words, God
doesn’t care how great my abilities are – I need to use them WITH love!
d.
1 Cor. 13:3 - Without
love – our works are worthless
i.
Recall that the
definition of love is “caring enough to sacrifice for what is best.”
Agape love always involves a concern for others, whether it be to
God or man. If your
motives in what you do for others is anything less than love, it will
NOT impress God.
ii.
Though I bestow all my
goods to feed the poor – this is not just one who gives a portion of his
possessions, but he gives all that he has.
He is like the widow who gave two
mites but it was all (Luke 21:1-4), except unlike that widow, he does it
for selfish recognition. An
example of this sinful attitude is Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) who
lied about how much they sold property for.
Their motives were clearly selfish.
iii.
And though I give my
body to be burned – descriptive of one willing to give up his life for
others. We describe this as
the ultimate sacrifice – just like Jesus sacrificed Himself for us.
Is it possible for one to die with selfish motives?
Absolutely! We see
some today who perform great acts of terror and kill themselves.
Their manifestos declare their arrogance and knowing their names
will be recorded in history.
How pathetic it is that as a society, we reward them with their selfish
wishes. The point is that it
is possible to die with selfish motives.
iv.
Application – if I give
up everything, up to and including my life – if my motives are
selfishness or lacking godly love – we have wasted our sacrifice.
In fact, the implication is that we insult God with this.
And the tragedy is that there is no hope if we die with such
selfish conduct.
In
summary, as Paul describes the importance of love he is reminding these
brethren that their godly motives are FAR more important than whatever
gifts they have been blessed with (if they have been blessed with gifts
at all). The problem he is
addressing at Corinth was much deeper than who had what gifts – it was
ungodly attitudes that needed to change.
Paul, in our text, gets their attention.
May we pay attention to the same admonition, lest we too be
condemned by God, except we repent.
In
our next lesson we will notice how love is described and make
application to our dealings with others, including within the Lord’s
body.