Introduction
In New Testament hermeneutics, we must acknowledge the structure of the writing, the context. A common feature in Paul’s writings is chiastic structure. That is, the middle of the context contains the most salient point.
In chapters 12-14, Paul is discussing spiritual matters / issues. Chapter 12 presented the manifestations of the work of the Holy Spirit. Paul presents principles that should govern the worship services of the church. The most salient point of these spiritual matters is presented in chapter 13, which is that spiritual gifts without spiritual graces is useless.
“The fruit of the Spirit (Gal_5:22-23) is more important in the Christian life than the miraculous gifts of the Spirit. Whenever the church strives for miraculous experiences rather than Christian holiness and character, there will be division, confusion, and carnality.” –Warren Wiersbe
The Supremacy of Love, vv. 1-3
A. Love is superior to spiritual manifestations. Paul takes the manifestations of the Spirit and shows their emptiness apart from love, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10.
B. Four Greek words for love:
1. Eros, sexual love;
2. Storge, familial love;
3. Philia, friendship and affection love; and
4. Agape, self-giving love without demanding or expecting anything in return.
C. Charitable asceticism without love is profitless.
The Description of Love, vv. 4-7
A. What love is:
1. Longsuffering, e.g. 2 Peter 3:9;
2. Kind
B. What love is NOT:
1. Envious,
2. Proud,
3. Arrogant,
4. Rude,
5. Cliquish,
6. Touchy,
7. Suspicious,
8. Happy with evil.
C. Love is also:
1. Strong,
2. Believing,
3. Hopeful,
4. Enduring
The Permanence of Love, vv. 8-13
A. Love outlives all spiritual experiences / manifestations.
B. Verse 10: “that which is perfect is come.” What is this?
1. Cessationism: a doctrine that spiritual gifts such as speaking in tongues, prophecy, and healing ceased with the Apostolic Age.
2. Continuationism: a Christian theological belief that the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the spiritual gifts, have continued to the present age.
3. “Perfect” is the Greek word “telos.” The use of “telos” in the NT always refers to the Return of Christ. He is the Perfect One to come!
“That which is perfect” is fulfilled when we are in the eternal presence of the Perfect One, when we are with the Lord forever, either through the return of Christ or graduation to the eternal.
C. Illustrations of the Temporary Nature of Spiritual Manifestations and the Permanence of Love
1. When we mature, we put away childish things. Paul says that if we are spiritually mature, we will not over-emphasize spiritual manifestations at the expense of love.
2. Corinth was famous for its metal mirrors. However, one saw only a dim reflection of the real person in those mirrors, just as we see only a dim reflection of God today. But when Christ comes, we shall know Him as we are known by Him! And we shall be like Him!
D. Three Great Pursuits of the Christian Life:
1. Are not “miracles, power, and gifts”;
2. They are “faith, hope, and love.”
3. The Greatest Pursuit of the Christian Life is Love!
Conclusion
A. We could replace the word love with the name Jesus and the description would make perfect sense. We can easily say, Jesus suffers long and is kind; Jesus does not envy… and make it through the whole chapter.
B. We can measure our spiritual maturity by seeing how it sounds when we put our name in place of the word love. Does it sound totally ridiculous or just a “little” far-fetched?
C. There is a reason why Paul put this chapter in the midst of his discussion of spiritual gifts. Paul wants the Corinthian Christians to remember that giftedness is not the measure of maturity, the display of love is.