By Scott Bush, D.Min.
Executive Director, Ministry Training Institute, Samford University
A LOVE FOR OTHERS
1 Corinthians 13:1–13
In a “Peanuts” comic strip from 1960, an anxious Charlie Brown plucks petals from a daisy and repeats, “She loves me; she loves me not,” until he reaches the sad conclusion: “She loves me not.” He’s heartbroken until his sensible friend Linus comments, “It’s difficult for me to believe that a flower has the gift of prophecy.”
Love is often portrayed as elusive or fleeting — mere emotion that can change on a whim — but early Christians like Paul saw it very differently. The most common term for love in the New Testament is “agape.” Christians did not invent this word, but they did elevate it from an ordinary term for affection or esteem to one that denotes self-sacrifice and unconditional devotion, even describing the character and disposition of God.
Love is foundational to everything we do. (1–3)
Paul powerfully punctuates his teaching on spiritual gifts and service in our churches when he says that love must be the motive for everything that we do.
Spiritual gifts are given for the good of the entire congregation, not for the pride or prestige of those who have them. In fact, gifts used without concern for others are worthless. Speaking with eloquence or even proclaiming a supernatural message is unintelligible if it isn’t done with love. It’s just loud and obnoxious, like a crashing cymbal.
Even noble acts of self-sacrifice can be performed for our own fame and vanity rather than for the sake of others. Self-centeredness diminishes the value of service to others, robs God of His glory in our lives and negates any blessing we might’ve received.
When we start with love, our gifts function as designed to bless others and glorify God.
Love reflects the character of Christ. (4–7)
The love Paul has in mind requires some definition. He explains that love is patient and kind, relational qualities that seek the best interest of others.
Love is not envious or boastful, focused on possessions rather than people. It is not arrogant or rude, twin attitudes that we dislike in others and must not tolerate in ourselves.
Love is not self-seeking and does not react to things that are irritating about others. In fact, love doesn’t keep a record of wrongs, building a case for retaliation. It doesn’t rejoice in the failures of others but holds on through everything in the light of God’s great promises.
It’s a simple but profound exercise to replace the word “love” in verses 4–7 with the name “Jesus.” This is His disposition toward us and, by His grace, it can be ours toward others.
Love does not diminish, fade or go away. (8–13)
Finally, Paul points to the enduring quality of love. He lists a few controversial spiritual gifts and then reminds his readers that these things are temporary, a means to an end. The real task is to love well because love never ends.
He commends to us three virtues: faith that relies on God and not our own perspectives and schemes; hope that holds confidently to His promises of good for His people; and love, the proof that we are being made more like Jesus and the way that we glorify the One who is Love (1 John 4:16).
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