"Charity never faileth..." (1 Cor 13.8). The Corinthians had failed to understand the nature of the service to God that would exemplify Christ in their lives. They had celebrated the sinful, indulged the physical and fought over the spiritual gifts that they had been given as though it was a contest to be won on the merit of who had the best gifts (1 Cor 12). Paul wrote to correct these problems and to in doing so has given us a commentary, by divine inspiration, on the inner attitudes and character of the child of God. He has told us that it is the love for God that will direct our thoughts and actions. Christ brought this out in his statements while on Earth when he stated "A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things." (Matt 12.35). We define our lives by the actions that we engage in and the actions we engage in will define our thoughts for future action. In Corinth the actions and attitudes of the Christians were not spiritual. They were worldly and ungodly in ways that even those about them would condemn (1 Cor 5.1). Paul wrote to set them on the path to true understanding. In the verses that have been examined in this series of articles so far we have seen that there is an emphasis on placing others first, of doing and sacrificing if need be for the spiritual welfare of those that we come into contact with. This was the same attitude that Christ had when he was on the Earth and it is this example that we are to follow. Paul directs their attention internally, to examine themselves in their attitudes to see if they are in the faith or are simply giving lipservice only to Christianity (2 cor 13.5). This chapter exists because they needed to learn what love really was and they had no possession of that quality at this time.
In this verse there is a transition that is to unfold. The Corinthians had been fighting over who had the best gifts. These were miraculous gifts given by God through the power of the Holy Spirit and were for the edification of the body. They had focused on these because they were feeling good and righteous, powerful and blessed, but had lost sight of the hypocrisy and self-righteousness that had taken hold of them. So, what of these gifts? What enduring quality would they bring. They could not pass them on to anyone else. Unfaithfulness would cost them that relationship with the Holy Spirit. The fact that He was still with them is partly due to the patience of God and His knowledge that they were steeped in their own ignorance. The gifts, however, were to vanish. This is the transition that Paul leads them to in an attempt to wake them up to the reality that love would endure, God's love, their love for God and their adherence to God through His word through love.
Paul states, "...whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away." (1 Cor 13.8). The very things that they had fought over and stirred up ungodliness in their hearts and minds were to be done away with. Paul explains why. "For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." (1 Cor 13.9-10). The gifts filled a gap until that "perfect" was come. Until the revelation was complete, the partial gifts would continue to guide and inform. They would continue as long as God saw fit. Once the revelation was completed, and those possessing these gifts died. There would be no more. But there would be the "perfect", the revealed word of God. Christ stated, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." (Matt 24.35). This word would be that which tells us to love and to love those around us. Why? Because God loved us. Christ loved us and was willing to come to this world and die for those who would not understand. For those who would reject and kill him and for those who would turn a deaf ear to him. Christ was that example of love in action and the selfless nature of sacrifice. Stephen exemplified this as well. It was love for his fellows that caused Stephen to preach and rebuke the Jews and it was love that asked for their forgiveness as he died (Acts 6.9 - 7.60). It is the love of God that will tolerate the evil of this world until such time that He decides it should come to an end and it is the love of Christ that brought salvation into the world so that we do not have to fear that wrath which is to come on those who do not obey.
Love begins with an understanding of what it is that we owe God. It is then a realization that we have been forgiven, if we are Christians, or could be if we are not. Love is not simply a measure of good deeds done which tip the eternal scales of justice in our favor at the last day. Love is that which causes us to realize that we do not have a cause other than to do that which Christ would have us to do for the spiritual benefit of others. As we began the chapter we learned that it is possible to give much to others, to even sacrifice our lives and not do this with the correct spirit and willingness. Too many times the goodness of others is rooted in the recognition that they receive of others and dulls when that appreciation is not forthcoming. Christ hung on a cross, naked, alone, misunderstood and unappreciated.. "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Matt 16.24). "And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." (Matt 10.38).
TLC