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The Necessity of Love
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Elder Thomas Waters
Both the church and the book of Corinthians are somewhat enigmas. The church at Corinth was blessed with great location and wonderful opportunities. During the 1st century, Corinth was one of the largest (population around 400,000), richest, most important cities in the Roman Empire. Moreover, many of the inhabitants of the city were favored by God for the Lord told Paul, He had “much people in this city (Acts 18:9‑10). Paul spent one and one-half years in Corinth preaching and teaching the word of God (Acts 18:11). Even after the Apostle Paul left Corinth, he stayed in touch with the church and they were free to call upon him for counsel and advice, thus the books of 1 & 2 Corinthians. Yet, for all these blessings, the church was plagued with serious problems. Pride, sectarianism, sexual immorality, heresies and carnality were corrupting the church. John Calvin writes of the church at Corinth: “During Paul’s absence false apostles had crept in, not, in my opinion, to disturb the Church openly . . . but . . . being puffed up with an empty loftiness of speech, they looked upon Paul’s simplicity and even the Gospel itself, with contempt. They afterwards, by their ambition, gave occasion for the Church being split into various parties; and last, of all reckless as to every thing . . . made it their aim to promote their own honour, rather than Christ’s kingdom and the people’s welfare.” (Commentary vol XX, p. 38) On one hand, the book of Corinthians addresses the dark and gnarled problems ruining the church. For example in 1 Corinthians 1:11, "it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren . . . that there are contentions among you." Paul addresses the thorny problem of discord in the church. In 1 Corinthians 5:1, "It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles . . .” Paul gives counsel concerning the public, perverse sexual immorality within the church. On the other hand, the book contains a trove of precious treasures. For example, chapter 1 contains a tremendous declaration about the message of the cross - (1 Cor 1:18 KJV) "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." Chapter 6 has one of Scripture’s most assuring declaration concerning the cleansing power of Christ’s blood - (1 Cor 6:9‑11 KJV) "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, {10} Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. {11} And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." Chapter 15 is one of the Bible’s most tremendous treaties on the resurrection. And, of course, chapter 13 is one of the eminent passages in the Bible dealing with love. In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul describes the place, nature and superiority of love. Chapter thirteen of 1 Corinthians can be divided into three basic divisions. a. Vs 1-3 - Necessity of love b. Vs 4-7 - Definition of love c. Vs 8-13 - Permanence of love Consider with me The Necessity of Love. (1 Cor 13:1‑3) "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. {2} And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. {3} And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." Let’s consider these verses under three C’s, the Context (setting of passage), Content (what passage states) and Connotations (what the passage implies) of the passage. CONTEXT - We begin with the context. Chapters 12-14 of I Corinthians form a unit. The topic of this unit is Spiritual gifts. The section begins, (1 Cor 12:1) "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant." The phrase, “now concerning” is used at least 4 times in I Corinthians (7:1, 7:25, 12:1, 16:1), each time it introduces a new subject. There are nine references to “gifts” in chapters 12-14 of 1 Corinthians. Clearly then, the context of the passage is about Spiritual gifts. Usually Spiritual gifts are thought of as occupying different categories. For example, John MacArthur divides gifts into three areas. He writes, “As we study the Scriptures, we find three categories of spiritual gifts. In Ephesians 4 there is the category of gifted men: apostles, prophets, evangelists, teaching pastors, and teachers . . . Second there are the permanent edifying gifts, including knowledge, wisdom, prophecy (authoritative preaching), teaching, exhortation, faith (or prayer), discernment, showing mercy, giving, administration, and helps . . . Third, there were the temporary sign gifts . . . prophecy (revelatory prophecy), miracles, healings, tongues, and interpretation of tongues” (Charismatic Chaos, 199) Although MacArthur divides Spiritual gifts into three divisions, often they are thought of in just two categories, (1) Extraordinary (temporary) and, (2) Ordinary (permanent). I think Paul makes this twofold division when he says "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away" (1Corinthians 13:1). Clearly some gifts are temporary (by implication inferior) and some are permanent (by implication superior). When Paul wrote 1 Corinthians, it was a time of extraordinary miracles. Joel prophesied of this time. (Joel 2:28‑32) "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: {29} And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. {30} And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. {31} The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. {32} And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call." Luke said this prophecy of Joel’s was applicable to the day of Pentecost.
(Acts 2:14‑18) "But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: {15} For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. {16} But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; {17} And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: {18} And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:" The Corinthian church was full of miraculous gifts. Paul said to the Corinthians, (1 Cor 1:5‑7) "That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; {6} Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: {7} So that ye come behind in no gift.” The people of the Corinthian church were zealous for spiritual gifts - (1 Cor 14:12 KJV) "Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts. And in 1 Corinthians 12:4, Paul speaks about the diversity of gifts present in Corinth. Whatever the individual gift may have been, however, its purpose was for the welfare of the body. Paul said, (1 Cor 12:7) "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal." In 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, Paul works out this concept of diversity but unity by using an analogy of a human body. A body is composed of various members, but the purpose of an individual member is not just for the member, but the well-being of the body. Therefore, although the members differ, they all have their importance and function. 1 Corinthians 13 is the middle chapter in this discussion on Spiritual gifts that spans chapters 12-14. 1 Corinthians 13, compares and contrasts between extraordinary influences (gifts of the Spirit) and ordinary influences (fruit of Spirit). The contrast is introduced in 12:31 with the words, "But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way." In other words, there is some thing of greater value to the body than gifts of tongues or healings . . . Moreover, there is a surer evidence of salvation than gifts and unlike temporary gifts, there is something of enduring nature. The more excellent way, the item of greater value than temporary spiritual gifts is love. CONTENT - Next, let us consider the mysterious and sobering content of the passage. What does the passage state? First, a person may have “gifts” yet not be spiritual. Historical evidence for this concept may be found in the Ten Plagues of Egypt. Notice how Pharaoh’s magicians were able to duplicate the miracles performed by Moses, at least up to a point. Rod becomes a serpent - (Exo 7:10) "And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent." - - (Exo 7:11) "Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments." Water turned to blood - (Exo 7:20) "And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood." - - - (Exo 7:22) "And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: Plague of Frogs - (Exo 8:6‑7) "And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. {7} And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt." Not only does the Bible contain historical evidence but Divine warnings that gifts do not equal spirituality. Matthew 7:22-23 - "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? {23} And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
So Paul says, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing." An evidence of a spiritual life IS NOT possession of gifts - BUT GRACES - the cardinal is LOVE! Second, the passage states a person may do religious acts yet not be spiritual. This too is a mysterious and sobering concept. Once again, however, the Bible provides historical evidence of this fact. (Acts 5:1‑5) "But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, {2} And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it, at the apostles' feet. {3} But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? {4} Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. {5} And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things." Ananias and Sapphira sold a possession and gave a portion of the proceeds to the work of the church in Jerusalem. This was a religious act on their part. They were not compelled to either sell their possessions or give the proceeds to the Apostles. The selling and giving however, do constitute a religious act. We do not know what their motive(s) for selling and giving were, but we know their hearts were filled with Satan and they lied about their transactions. Although they engaged in a religious act, a very generous one at that, they were not spiritual. The Bible too contains Divine warnings about such people and religious acts. Jesus said, (Mat 6:2) "Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do . . . (5) "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men . . . (6) "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance . . . Although not acceptable and done for the wrong reasons, these hypocrites gave alms, prayed and fasted - all religious acts. So Paul says, (1 Cor 13:3) "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Evidences of spiritual life ARE NOT religious acts BUT PROPER MOTIVATION for the act - LOVE. Whatever lacks love is all together lacking Eloquent words without love - are hollow and glaring. Exercises of gifts without love - are vanity. And acts of generosity without love - are spiritually grotesque. CONNOTATIONS - Last, let us consider the connotations of the passage. What are the practical implications of the passage? 1. What matters are not WHAT gifts I have - WHAT I have done, WHERE I have gone BUT HOW I acted, spoken & WHY I have given. 2. The passage is an explanation of Christ’s ministry. What made the words of Jesus powerful? LOVE What made the miracles of Christ outstanding? LOVE What made the sacrifice of Christ stupendous? LOVE 3. What matters the most in the church? It is not how much money we have in the bank, the decor of our buildings, the talents or gifts we may posses, but love. Henry Halley says love is the “Church’s most effective weapon . . . More potent for the building of the Church than any, or all, of the various manifestations of God’s power . . .” Paul said, I show you a more excellent way - a necessary way. Love. Do you love God? Really? Do you love Him enough to obey Him? Jesus said - “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:” Do you really love your neighbor? Really? Before you answer too quickly consult how Paul defines love 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Click here to return to Pastor Waters' articles and sermons
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