1 Corinthians 13:1–13

Explore the Bible
Assistant Professor, School of Christian Studies, University of Mobile

How Can I Express Love?
1 Corinthians 13:1–13

Understand Love’s Importance (1–3)
In Chapter 12, Paul wrote to address the use of spiritual gifts in the Corinthian church. The believers had not been using their gifts in a loving manner, and so Paul spent Chapter 13 defining what real love is in order to unify the church through the appropriate use of spiritual gifts. Love in the Bible is not merely a feeling; it is a choice that we make through the help of the Holy Spirit to help others and provide what will benefit them instead of us. Paul emphasized that love is the most important aspect of Christian service through the use of spiritual gifts. In fact, if a Christian uses his or her spiritual gift without love, then the act is useless. This is a point made throughout the Old Testament and by Jesus in the Gospels. Love must accompany the use of spiritual gifts. When love is present with Christian action, then the church as a whole benefits and is unified. When believers turn toward selfish actions and pettiness, the church experiences division. This hinders the advancement of God’s Kingdom by making the church look bad in the eyes of other believers and especially nonbelievers. If we understand how important love is, then we will choose to express love in all that we do within the church.

Demonstrate Love’s Qualities (4–7)
In order to clarify, Paul went into detail regarding the various qualities of love. First, Paul stated that love is patient. This means that Christians need to look past differences with others in the church and strive for unity. Instead of being easily offended, Christians should remember that God loves us in spite of our imperfections. Love is kind; Christians should be known by how they treat others. We ought to be concerned for others, meeting their needs when we see them, not just when we are asked. Christians do not envy others but rejoice in that which God has given them. Christians do not boast because everything they have comes from God, not themselves. Paul also pointed out that Christians should not be rude but courteous to others. We do not seek to please ourselves, we do not get angry easily and we are not to keep a record of wrongs. Many of the problems in the church stem from grudges. God forgives us and commands us to forgive others perpetually. Therefore there is never a reason for a Christian to hold a grudge — ever. Furthermore Christians are to seek and promote truth. Lastly, in this section, Paul expressed that love protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. These are the characteristics that mark a Christian and need to mark our churches.

Exhibit Love’s Permanence (8–13)
Paul finished the chapter by referring back to the original issue — the improper understanding and use of spiritual gifts. He hearkened back to prophecy, tongues and knowledge and showed that each of these gifts will pass away. The spiritual gifts are used for the purpose of building up God’s Kingdom, but in eternity, the Kingdom will be perfect. The gift of prophecy, used to preach the gospel, will be obsolete, since it will no longer be necessary. Likewise we all will speak the same language (or at least understand each other) and have perfect knowledge. Paul likened our spiritual understanding to a child who reasons like a child and does not have the full knowledge of an adult. He furthered his analogy by comparing our spiritual understanding to looking into a bad reflection in a mirror. The mirror is not the real image, and if the mirror is a poor one, then the reflection is even more distorted. But when we see God face to face, we will understand completely. However, while these certain gifts cease, in the midst of this, love stands out, because love never ceases. In fact, God is love. In eternity, we all will continue to love and experience love. Therefore this gift is greater than other gifts because it is eternal. Paul completed the section by encouraging the Corinthian believers to abide in three characteristics — faith, hope and love ­— and then reminded them that of these three, love is the most important. When we realize how important love is, we will express love in everything that we do in our churches.