Bible Studies for Life: August 30

A Love for Others • 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 

By Jessica McMillan

To quote Tina Turner, “What’s love got to do with it?” Even though we treat love flippantly, biblical love should be the foundation for all that we do. The last sentiment of the previous chapter is about faith, hope, and love, and love being the greatest gift. The Corinthians had many problematic beliefs and practices that Paul has addressed up to this point in his letter. The issue that Paul addresses in this chapter is their understanding of what it meant to be “spiritual” (tongues, wisdom, knowledge). Paul’s emphasis, however, was that they should focus more on walking in love because spiritual gifts are supposed to function for the good of the body. That is why Paul begins this chapter the way he does. “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” (NIV). He starts with tongues because of the overemphasis that Corinthians placed on that gift. 

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Paul begins the chapter by highlighting several gifts and acts of extraordinary devotion, and after each one, he reiterates that without love, they are worthless. In ancient Greek theaters, a “resounding gong” was a vital technological tool aiding in amplification or dramatic sound effects. These devices were something like inverted hollow bells that could be tuned and were used to capture and project the human voice. By using this particular image, Paul was conveying that words spoken without love are exactly like those theatrical gongs and cymbals. They may attract attention, but they produce noise without accomplishing the loving purpose for which spiritual gifts are given.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Next, Paul begins to describe how love is a selfless act that always puts others first. This is not easy to do. He starts with patience, which can be a tough concept on its own, then goes all the way through the idea of not keeping a record of wrongs. It protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. In essence, love reflects the character of Christ. Paul’s definition of love includes truthfulness. It “does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth” (13:6). So biblical love can require saying no, correcting someone, establishing boundaries, or refusing to participate in something that is wrong.

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 

Again in verse 8, Paul mentions the simple gifts: faith, hope, and love. He contrasts the temporary nature of spiritual gifts with the permanence of love. The gifts belong to the present, partial stage of God’s work, whereas love endures into the fullness of God’s kingdom. Love does not diminish or pass away because, unlike the gifts that serve the church in this present age, love belongs to the character of the Christian life that endures forever. Spiritual gifts are not the measure of Christian maturity; love is the necessary motivation and governing virtue for their use.

In an individualistic society where everyone demands their “rights,” we must be careful not to equate love with going along with every whim that people claim is a right. A healthy understanding of love (which includes boundaries) can help us relate well with others both inside and outside religious circles. There is a difficult balance between showing biblical love and conforming to what society tells us love is. The problem is that many of us struggle with how to bridge that gap. The love we are called to possess is something far greater than how our culture defines it. The love we are to display is grounded in the character of God. The best way we can help and serve our neighbors is to love them as God loves them. May everything we do be an outgrowth of our love for Christ.

McMillan is on faculty at NOBTS and is a member of Roseland Park Baptist Church, Picayune.