1 Corinthians 13 – 14

All we need is love! This is the famous love chapter where Paul talks about it in detail so we can understand what it really looks like. It’s not just a sex act, but much deeper than that. Verse 13:7 I think is strong on this aspect:

Love puts up with anything and everything that comes along; it trusts, hopes, and endures no matter what.

This is tough when you think about it. How many marriages would “put up with anything”? That never justifies infidelity, but can be twisted that way. No love is a two way street and putting up with anything has a different meaning when you are both in the same mindset. “Anything” is life’s bumps and problems, sure it may be a season of no sex, but can never be justified to do anything. It loves no matter what comes along in life. Even if “lust” is a problem, as long as both work on it and not drift it can be handled.

I would advise everyone read this a few times and see how it applies to your own context. Consider also the Greek love used here is Agape, or true unconditional love. So it’s not just Eros or the romantic love, but an all-encompassing love.

Chapter 14 focuses on prophecy over “tongues”. This is something we need to be conscious of, tongues are not for public display unless there is an interpreter. It tends to freak non-believers out and even many died in the wool believers. Verse 14:4 describes why:

Those who speak in an unknown language only strengthen themselves, but those who prophesy strengthen the community.

I am sensitive to this since a few churches around the south feel that if you do not flop around like a fish and speak in tongues you are not saved. This is not Biblical and is dangerous.

Verse 14:20 is interesting based on yesterday’s reading:

Brothers and sisters, don’t think like children. Be innocent of malice but mature in understanding.

Jesus says have faith like a child and Paul says don’t think like a child. What is it? Well two different contexts, Jesus is addressing how people need childlike faith in their walk, where Paul is addressing the childish squabbling between people. We need to act like adults and become mature, but do it as a child with eyes open wide and a pure questioning spirit.

Paul also goes round and round on verse 14:22 – 25. Paul implies one thing and says another. I often don’t get this but find it his style to point out the opposite as foolish before stating how it should be.