Love - 1 Corinthians 13

Perhaps one of the most well known verses in the Bible. Following on frrm Ch.12 where Paul talks about 'Spiritual Gifts', he teaches the people of Corinth that there is one gift which is greater than all. He also talks about 'One body, many parts' where he tells us that we all need each other so as to function as one body. He concludes Ch.12 with: 'But eagerly desire the greater gifts.'

(Ch.13)
Love
1If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Before verse 1, there is a small introduction Paul makes: 'Now I will show you the most excellent way.'

Let's break it down.

2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing
Quite simply, if I possess great knowledge and I attend Church and I know the Biblical teachings and I have great faith, but I cannot function in life, or talk to people, or show love or be able to share it with others or even understand what love is, then what is the point? If God is love and I don't have it or understand it.......well then......?

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Again, fairly straight forward. Love has no boundaries, with love comes patience and understanding. If we possess love, then we are not envious or jealous of other people, rather we are happy for them and appreciative of what they have. Love means we are patient and kind to others no matter how frustrating a situation or experience may be.

5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. If we have love, then we are able to communicate in a peaceful, respectful and understanding manner. We are not on the lookout for ourselves in a selfish way and we will have the patience so as not to easily get irritated and upset at others. We also possess forgiveness and compassion as Christ did, for if someone wrongs against us we will not set it in stone in our hearts and never let go of it.

6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love brings forth honesty and trust which gives birth to truth and justice. Even during a negative experience or trying time, when the truth is revealed, no matter how distressing or difficult it may be, we accept it with love, for we understand what someone else is going through and we are able to show compassion towards them. Also, when the truth is brought to the surface, we rejoice because we have achieved something great in a pure, mature and christian manner.

7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love is of great ambition and desire. With love, we dream of great things sometimes bordering on fantasy. But true love protects its owners and trusts in others. True love holds onto the hope that one day everything will be fine. True love never gives up, for if this love is a Spiritual gift from God, how can we give up on it? Shouldn't we strive to reach love given to us by God? Shouldn't we perservere and struggle to find this great love which God has blessed us with? For once we have it, we will never let go no matter what the circumstance.

8 Love never fails. Well what can you say to this? When you have experienced true love, it will never fail you or leave you. You will place it in your heart for eternity because you know it is from God.

13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. This verse outlines the importance of love. Love is above everything else in this world.

Remember, you may be in a difficult situation in your life. You can leave that situation, but you cannot leave the love of your life.