INTRODUCTION
Paul’s argument in this letter focuses on love, a subject that shows the importance of edification of others. In this case the gifts were to operate in the atmosphere of love. So Paul tells the Corinthians to strife for the greater gifts for this is the most excellent way.
This is agape love-sacrificial and unconditional love, demonstrated by action John 3:16.
I. THE NECESSITY OF LOVE APPLIED BY US TODAY…
1. Without love, any ability we have is of little value such as Teaching, preaching.
2. Without love, any knowledge we obtain will only hurt us 1Co 8:1
3. Without love, any service rendered is not pleasing to God
II. THE QUALITIES OF LOVE A. LOVE’S NEGATIVE QUALITIES…
1. Does not envy – is not jealous of what others have or have become.
2. Does not parade itself – does not brag or boast of one’s abilities or possessions.
3. Is not puffed up – swelled with pride and elated with a vain conceit of himself
4. Does not behave rudely – to behave in an ugly, indecent, unseemly or unbecoming manner (1Pe 3:8, “be courteous”)
5. Does not seek its own – does not seek its own happiness to the injury of others (cf. 1Co 10:24, 33)
6. Is not provoked – does not fly into a rage, but keeps the temper under control.
7. Thinks no evil – puts the best possible construction on the motives and the conduct of others; not malicious, censorious, disposed to find fault, or to impute improper motives to others
8. Does not rejoice in iniquity – Does not rejoice over the “vices” of other people; does not take delight when they are guilty of crime, or when, in any manner, they fall into sin. It does not find pleasure in hearing others accused of sin, and in having it proved that they committed it. – ibid.
C. LOVE’S POSITIVE QUALITIES (CONT.)…
1. Rejoice in the truth – lit., “with the truth”; truth is personified as is love, and when love sees truth manifested in the lives of others, love greatly rejoices along with it, 2Jn 4; 3.
2. Bears all things – lit., “covers, protects”; but as used by Paul elsewhere, it can also mean to endure, suffer
(cf. 1Co 9:12; 1Th 3:1, 5); thus in regards to the sins or failings of others, there is willingness to bear with them
patiently.
3. Hopes all things. This kind of love hopes for the best where others are concerned, knowing God is faithful to complete the work he started in us. This hope filled love encourages others to press forward in the faith.
4. Endures all things. This kind of love endures even through the most difficult trials.
5. Suffers longs Endures slights and wrongs patiently and long, like God Himself (Ps 103:8)
6. Is kind -Kindness is similar to patience but refers to how we treat others. It especially implies a love that reacts with goodness towards those who have been ill-treated. This kind of love may take the form of a gentle rebuke when careful discipline is needed.
III. THE PERMANENCY OF LOVE
A. LOVE NEVER FAILS.
Love never fails – to fall away, to fail; to be without effect, to cease to be in existence. While other endowments
of the Holy Spirit must soon cease and be valueless, love would abide, and would always exist. The “argument”
is, that we ought to seek that which is of enduring value; and that, therefore, love should be preferred to those
endowments of the Spirit on which so high a value had been set by the Corinthians.
LOVE ABIDE
Along with faith and hope – 1Co 13:13 Spiritual gifts like prophecies, tongues, and knowledge would cease yet the virtues of faith, hope and love would “abide” (remain, dwell, continue, endure) implying a period of time between the cessation of spiritual gifts and the fulfillment of faith and hope.
CONCLUSION
Love is truly “a more excellent way” (1Co 12:31), what Paul describes elsewhere as the fulfillment of the Law
– Rom. 13:8 the bond of perfection – Col 3:14 when properly defined and understood, love is also “the way of
Christ” as disciples of Christ, we are to walk in the way of love as well.
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