1 Corinthians 13 Commentary
Paul’s background as a rabbi is difficult to conceal. Remember the teacher of the Law who tested the LORD Jesus with a question, “Which commandment is the greatest”? He could easily have been Paul! We know Paul was going to be impressed with the response from the LORD Jesus.
A converted Paul, working under the guidance of the Spirit of Jesus would repeat the words of the LORD Jesus in his book to the Galatians. “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5 verse 14.
If you read chapter 13 in isolation, the conclusion that we have a poem on love isn’t bad. But within the entire scripture, Paul repeats Jesus’ response to the question of which commandment was the greatest.
And if we read chapter 13 with chapter 12 in mind, we define the saint’s job description. The Law of the Spirit is summarized in chapter 13.
Verses 1 to 3 highlight the ‘gifts’ and puts them under the title, “LOVE”. You are not part of the team without this tag! Remember the gifts of chapter 12!
Verses 4 to 7 highlight the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5 verse 22). Even here, the name of the team is “LOVE”. You don’t play if you aren’t a member of this club!
If you understand Jesus as the love of God, then you appreciate that LOVE is everything! A life totally consumed with and by the love of God is the saint’s calling!
So what is love? Patience? Yes. Kindness? Yes.
What is not love? Envy? No. Pride? No. Self-seeking? No.
Love has a character. It is not easily angered; it doesn’t keep a record of wrongs. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. At the base of the fruit of the Spirit is love. See how Paul repeats the same key lines in all his letters!
The need for patience exists because we have impatience in the room! One day this animal called impatience will disappear, and then the need for patience will also disappear. Then all that remains is the saint fully soaked in the presence of God’s love – the Lamb of God seated on the throne! It will be all light and no trace of darkness! Because we are children, we need what we must have. This thought represents the work of the Spirit of Jesus within the saint. It is work-in-progress until the wedding day!
Every parent appreciates their child when the child can make them a cup of tea. But the parent’s greatest joy is the presence of the child – their joy peaks at the point of birth when the child can do nothing and the parent must do everything for the newborn! Ponder!
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 