And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity
1st Corinthians 13:13
Masterful Language
Paul’s language in this superlative chapter is as masterful as it is sublime. Of equivalent brilliance is the translation by William Tyndale which remained virtually unchanged after the translators of the King James Version had completed their work. While Greek was Paul’s and the English was Tyndale’s this chapter with all its glorious beauty was a product of the Holy Spirit. The skill and ingenuity of Paul and Tyndale were certainly instrumental but the Word itself was from heaven.
God’s Answer for a Dysfunctional Church
The Corinthians needed to hear about love and its value.
Looking back to the teaching they had received to this point – They had turned the body, described in chapter twelve, into a dysfunctional organism by their divisions, criticisms, immorality and selfish pride. God’s answer to this problem was love.
Looking forward to what they were about to learn – God has dispensed various gifts to His people but the greatest is the love gift. It was not prophecies and tongues they were to seek but love – because love never fails.
Love never fails because it is the fundamental essence of God’s nature.
Definition of God
The question “What is God?” is tantalising. How do we define He whose character and nature is beyond our finite experience? How does the creature comprehend the Creator? The Westminster Divine made a very fine effort in Question Four of the Shorter Catechism.
But does God define Himself? In three brief words:
“God is love” (1st John 4:8)
Perfect Love
Every time the Scriptures write about love within the context of God the word is agape – this is different from phileo (sentimental love) or eros (sensual love). Agape is a perfect love, the love that only God can give.
Shed Abroad
God gives this perfect love to His people through the ministry of the Holy Ghost:
“…the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:5).
Therefore, we that are Christians are called to exercise this love gift. As God has shed this love abroad in our hearts, we are called to distribute it likewise. The Holy Spirit ministers to the family, the church and society through Christians exercising this love which never fails.
Relatable Love
The distribution of love concerns relationships. Love is a relatable gift.
Therefore as husbands and wives are called the minister to one another and to their children with love. Children reciprocate and share this life with their parents.
Within the Church we enrich each other with the distribution of the love gift.
The world in turn ought to be drawn to Christ as they observe love in the Lord’s people.
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35).
1: How do we exercise this love gift? This is the question of 1st Corinthians 13.
A: By understanding that our profession, our knowledge, our talents and our works are nothing without love. Whatever we do must be filled with and motivated by love or we fail.
We are inclined to elevate self, our attainments and our abilities – God’s answer is love.
B: By suffering the faults of others.
Our inclination is to be critical and unforgiving – God’s answer is love.
C: By using every opportunity to be kind. This is reflective of the nature of God, gracious towards us – full of goodness.
Man is predisposed ru be selfish – God’s answer is love.
D: By accepting the humble place, never seeking our own advancement, never envying others but totally accepting of our place in this world.
Self advancement is an ever present form of worldliness – God’s answer is love.
E: Constantly patient, thoughtful and long suffering. Love is never rash to in making judgments or brash with words – “is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil”.
2: Unlike all of the other gifts, love does not expire. Paul contrasts love with prophecies and tongues which were due to cease with the passing of the apostolic age. They would cease but love would remain.
Without entering further into the cessationist discussion (which we will return to in a later study) – and think about what else can fail where love doesn’t.
A preacher’s gifts will expire with age. The gift of financing God’s can diminish with business prospects or retirement. The gift of health and vitality can be of such benefit to the Kingdom. Poor health can quickly and dramatically deprive us of such.
But through all the changing scenes of life live must remain as a growing and maturing gift. Therefore like Mary who chose the best part, let us take time to sit at Christ’s feet and pray this love into our hearts – because it will never be taken away.
3: Love is greater than faith — and why? Because it is both root and fruit.
We love God because He first loved us. Faith produces hope but God’s love is where it all begins. Faith and hope are not less important, but love is the greatest abiding expression of God’s character in believers’ life.
Therefore as God love is the root, it must also be fruit. One cannot claim Faith and hope if they fail to demonstrate the love of Christ.
How far the Christian Church often falls short of the standard that God sets. A gospel preached without life is a blunt sword. Criticism offered without love is cruel and harsh. Prayers offered without love are hollow and lifeless. Worship presented without the spirit of love is formal and ritualistic. When we are not motivated and energised by thus precious gift there will be learning without love, preaching without passion, dogma without devotion and rigor without reason.
Returning to the picture of the Church as a body – love must be the beating heart and soul of the communion of the saints. Otherwise we are in a state of lethargy and decay.
Therefore, we must prize love and seek its furtherance in our hearts because not only will it never fail, but it is also, as Paul concludes, “the greatest of these is love”.
Clogher Valley Free Presbyterian Church 
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