1 Corinthians 12:31-13:1-13
Q.1. What qualities are indispensable in the believer? To what was Paul referring when speaking of human and angelic tongues? What place did he give to spiritual gifts? – (1 Cor.12:31-13:1-3)
Boastfulness about gifts wasn’t fazed out with the Corinthian Church. Such pride is misplaced, because –What do you have that you did not receive? (1 Cor.4:7). Paul suggested that it is much more about developing the ‘fruit of the Spirit’, especially love, of which Jesus said – By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (Jn.13:35 c.f. Gal.5:22-23). Paul underscored this truth by pointing out that the spiritual gifts must be accompanied by love, otherwise – 1 … I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 … I am nothing. 3 … it profits me nothing (1 Cor.13:1-3). The – tongues of men and of angels (1 Cor.13:1) are like comparing someone with an orator (1 Cor.1:20). There is nothing to indicate that angels ever spoke in anything but known languages.
Q.2. What kind of love was Paul speaking about? How did he describe love? Why are these qualities identified? How can we best sum up what love looks like? – (1 Cor.13:4-8a c.f. Gal.5:22-23)
Paul was speaking about sacrificial and unmerited love (Gk: ἀγάπη = agape). Everything about such love is unselfish and focused on others. Paul described the characteristics of love, to explain how real love should be expressed in the believer – 4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails … (1 Cor.13:4-8a). Only one person has ever exhibited all these qualities of love, and that is Jesus. No mortal person has all these qualities naturally, but they are developed by the Holy Spirit as we grow in Christlikeness (c.f. Rom.8:29; Gal.5:22-23).
Q.3. Why will spiritual gifts become obsolete? How will our understanding change? Which qualities remain? What is the greatest of all qualities? Why? – (1 Cor.12:8-13 c.f. Heb.8:13; 1 Jn.4:16-17)
Spiritual gifts were given to edify others in the church (1 Cor.12:7; 14:3, 5, 12, 26). When the church has completed God’s appointed function, the gifts – will be done away (1 Cor.13:8). Childish behaviour is appropriate for a child. When we become mature that will cease. The gifts were given because – 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 (1 Cor.13:12). The quality of love will never cease because that is Who God is (c.f. 1 Jn.4:16-17). All the Christlike qualities will continue forever because they describe perfection – and according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and new earth, in which righteousness dwells i.e. all that is right (2 Pet.3:13). Paul concluded – But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love (1 Cor.13:13). Love is the antithesis of all sin and evil. It will reign supreme in our everlasting existence.