Let Love Rule

Love

13Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth [1] not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; [2] 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; [3] whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. [4] 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought [5] as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; [6] but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

<< 1 Corinthians 12 | 1 Corinthians 13 | 1 Corinthians 14 >>
Footnotes
[1] 13:4 vaunteth...: or, is not rash

[2] 13:6 in the truth: or, with the truth

[3] 13:8 fail: Gr. vanish away

[4] 13:10 done away: Gr. vanish away

[5] 13:11 thought: or, reasoned

[6] 13:12 darkly: Gr. in a riddle




The necessity and advantage of the grace of love. (1-3) Its excellency represented by its properties and effects; (4-7) and by its abiding, and its superiority. (8-13)

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:1-3



(Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-3)
The excellent way had in view in the close of the former chapter, is not what is meant by charity in our common use of the word, almsgiving, but love in its fullest meaning; true love to God and man. Without this, the most glorious gifts are of no account to us, of no esteem in the sight of God. A clear head and a deep understanding, are of no value without a benevolent and charitable heart. There may be an open and lavish hand, where there is not a liberal and charitable heart. Doing good to others will do none to us, if it be not done from love to God, and good-will to men. If we give away all we have, while we withhold the heart from God, it will not profit. Nor even the most painful sufferings. How are those deluded who look for acceptance and reward for their good works, which are as scanty and defective as they are corrupt and selfish!

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

(Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Some of the effects of charity are stated, that we may know whether we have this grace; and that if we have not, we may not rest till we have it. This love is a clear proof of regeneration, and is a touchstone of our professed faith in Christ. In this beautiful description of the nature and effects of love, it is meant to show the Corinthians that their conduct had, in many respects, been a contrast to it. Charity is an utter enemy to selfishness; it does not desire or seek its own praise, or honour, or profit, or pleasure. Not that charity destroys all regard to ourselves, or that the charitable man should neglect himself and all his interests. But charity never seeks its own to the hurt of others, or to neglect others. It ever prefers the welfare of others to its private advantage. How good-natured and amiable is Christian charity! How excellent would Christianity appear to the world, if those who profess it were more under this Divine principle, and paid due regard to the command on which its blessed Author laid the chief stress! Let us ask whether this Divine love dwells in our hearts. Has this principle guided us into becoming behaviour to all men? Are we willing to lay aside selfish objects and aims? Here is a call to watchfulness, diligence, and prayer.

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

(Read 1 Corinthians 13:8-13)
Charity is much to be preferred to the gifts on which the Corinthians prided themselves. From its longer continuance. It is a grace, lasting as eternity. The present state is a state of childhood, the future that of manhood. Such is the difference between earth and heaven. What narrow views, what confused notions of things, have children when compared with grown men! Thus shall we think of our most valued gifts of this world, when we come to heaven. All things are dark and confused now, compared with what they will be hereafter. They can only be seen as by the reflection in a mirror, or in the description of a riddle; but hereafter our knowledge will be free from all obscurity and error. It is the light of heaven only, that will remove all clouds and darkness that hide the face of God from us. To sum up the excellences of charity, it is preferred not only to gifts, but to other graces, to faith and hope. Faith fixes on the Divine revelation, and assents thereto, relying on the Divine Redeemer. Hope fastens on future happiness, and waits for that; but in heaven, faith will be swallowed up in actual sight, and hope in enjoyment. There is no room to believe and hope, when we see and enjoy. But there, love will be made perfect. There we shall perfectly love God. And there we shall perfectly love one another. Blessed state! how much surpassing the best below! God is love, 1 John 4:8,16. Where God is to be seen as he is, and face to face, there charity is in its greatest height; there only will it be perfected.

Bible Study Today with The Joy of Jesus

The Bible teaching about wisdom
>>> Read Isaiah 55:8,9; Jeremiah 10:23. <<<

*1* How do God's thoughts and ways differ from ours? Answer: His thoughts and ways are ______ than ours.

*2* How limited is man's knowledge of his own ways? Answer: It is not in man who walks to direct his own ______.

Think: Can we know what God wants without revelation?

Ways that seem right to men may result in spiritual death (Proverbs 14:12). So we should not add to nor take from God's word (Rev. 22:18,19).

(Luke 16:15; 1 Cor. 1:21-24; 2:5; Deut. 4:2; 12:32; Pro. 30:6)

The Bible teaching about worship
We must worship God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). But remember, all truth is revealed in God's word (John 17:17; 16:13).

>>> Read Matthew 15:9,13. <<<

*3* What kind of worship is vain? Answer: Worship is vain when we teach as doctrines the commandments of ______.

*4* What will happen to plants (doctrines) God did not plant? Answer: Plants God did not plant will be ______.

Think: When we follow human doctrines, do we honor God or man?

The Bible teaching about love
>>> Read Matthew 22:37; John 14:15. <<< (1 John 5:3)

*5* What does love lead us to do? Answer: If we love Jesus we keep His ______.

Think: When we follow human doctrines, are we showing love for God or for men? Does a man show love for his wife if he gets her a power tool for her birthday because he wants it? When people defend their practices by saying "I think it's beautiful," or "We're satisfied with it," who are they showing love for?

The Bible teaching about faith
We cannot please God without faith (Heb. 11:6; cf. 2 Cor. 5:7).

>>> Read Romans 10:17; Proverbs 3:5,6. <<<

*6&7* How does faith come? Answer: Faith comes by ______ the word of ______.

*8* How do we show trust in the Lord? Answer: Don't lean on our own ______ but let him direct our paths.

Think: If our practices are not in the Bible, are we placing our trust in God or in man?

The Bible teaching about authority
>>> Read 2 John 9; Galatians 1:8,9. <<<

*9&10* What must we do to have God? Answer: We must abide in the ______ of ______.

*11* What is said of a man who preaches a different gospel? Answer: One who teaches a different gospel is ______.

Remember that all Jesus' teachings are found in the Scriptures. God did not intend for His word to itemize everything we should not practice. Rather, if an act is not included in what He said to do, He expects us to not practice it. We should not ask, "Where does God forbid this act?" but rather "Where does God tell us to do this act?"

(Col. 3:17; 2:8; 1 Peter 4:11; 1 Cor. 4:6; 2 Cor. 10:18; 1 Tim. 1:3)

Worship The Lord with Gladness & Joy

Psalm 100
A psalm. For giving thanks.
1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his [a] ;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.


Sermon:

We praise God today for His goodness and joy in Christ Jesus and The Holy Spirit of God.

The Lord is my strength and salvation. Lord we pray for the world and all Thy people.

We thank God for each and every blessing in the spirit of God in Christ Jesus.

Glory to Glory to God.

Prayer: O' God of our many years and silent tears, we love you. The blood of Christ heals us of all suffering and pain. God raised Jesus on the third day. Jesus will return with all power, glory and power.