1 Corinthians: Not in VainSample

This is one of the Bible’s most well known passages, found regularly in poetry anthologies and a popular choice at both weddings and funerals. But how does it fit into a letter that has been full of correction, exposing the Corinthians’ wayward worldliness? 

The shock of Paul’s ‘most excellent way’ (12:31b) is that it’s not contingent on having particular gifts or displaying certain acts of service. In fact, it’s dependent on just one thing: love. And Paul wants to challenge us as to whether we believe it. Whether it’s speaking in heavenly tongues or prophesying (the Corinthians’ favourite), or whether it’s dramatic acts of self-denial or martyrdom, without love we are nothing (13:2, 3).

If you’re beginning to feel like the carpet’s been pulled from your feet, you’re not alone! But if love is so critical, what is it? To help us, Paul personifies love – and it’s simultaneously both absolutely stunning and completely humbling, because it’s everything we (and the Corinthians) are not. 

Try reading 13:4–7 and substituting your own name for ‘love’! It’s like looking in the bathroom mirror first thing in the morning with the light on; everything is exposed! The Corinthians were not patient (11:21) but proud (4:6; 8:1); they insisted on their rights (8:10-12), remembered wrongs (6:1) and delighted in evil (5:1–2; 6:15– 16). Whilst this description of love is undeniably beautiful, we also realise how far short we fall of it! 

But ultimately love’s real value lies in the fact it is eternal (14:8–12). Gifts of prophecies, tongues and words of knowledge will become obsolete in eternity, because we’ll be face-to-face with God. And similarly, hope for the future will become redundant (it will have already come to pass) and faith will become ‘lost in sight’. And yet love will never cease, because our everlasting face-to-face relationship with God and each other will be defined by love.

Reflection

Reflect on how our triune God displays love between the Father, Son and Spirit from before the world was created. Pray for God’s help to see love as having eternal significance in your actions and words this week.