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Topic: Love Is Essential
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KnowHim
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1 Cor 13:1-3
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
The word “charity” means “love” in action. It is not simply an emotion; it is the heart reaching out to others. “Charity” today makes us think of giving away old clothes or making gifts to “charitable institutions.” These activities can be Christian love in action, but Paul is demanding much more. The word he uses for love is agape, which is love that sacrifices for the good of others.
Notice how he takes up some of the spiritual gifts of 12:8-10 and shows their emptiness apart from love. Tongues apart from love become mere noise, like the clanging of a cymbal. Prophecy without love makes the prophet nothing. This application can also be made to knowledge (spiritual insight given immediately by the Spirit) and faith. Paul is not minimizing these gifts; he is simply saying that they will have no good effect on the individual or on the church unless there is love in the life of the Christian in the exercise of his or her gifts. We might go so far as to sacrifice our body, but apart from love, this act would amount to nothing. Love is the measure of all things.
It is evident that the Corinthians were using their spiritual gifts and offices with an attitude of competition and not of love. The church was divided, and the situation was getting worse because the very spiritual gifts that were supposed to build the church were doing more harm than good! Preaching without love is just so much noise. Praying without love becomes an empty speech. Giving without love is just a ceremony. Is it any wonder that Christ asked Peter, “Do you love me?” (John 21:17)
Title: Wiersbes Expository Outlines on the New Testament
Author: Wiersbe, Warren W.
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