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.
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