1 Corinthians 13: Love is The Way

Read 1 Corinthians Chapter 13

Introduction: In the heart of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, 1 Corinthians 13 is a testament to the supremacy of love above all other virtues. Paul clarifies the  nature of love, pointing out the fact, that without it, even the most impressive spiritual gifts and sacrifices are of no value. This chapter, often read in weddings and many sermons, it gives us profound insights into the nature and necessity of true love. The Apostle Paul writes that without love, our life, actions and gifts are empty. This chapter highlights the persistence, hope, trust, and perfection of love, ultimately pointing to the eternal nature of love in God’s kingdom.

I. Love Better Than Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 13:1)
The Bible tells us here in this verse, without love, speaking in tongues is just noise, it is useless if not laced with a loving heart.  We read in Matthew 7:22-23, at the time people stand before Christ in judgement, many will claim to prophesy, and have wonderful works, but without knowing Christ, which is to say, without love, it is meaningless. Also in Galatians 5:6, we see that faith working through love is what really counts. And in 1 Peter 4:8, we read that love covers a multitude of sins, indicating its highly regarded importance in a Christians life.

II. The Superiority of Love Over Knowledge and Faith (1 Corinthians 13:2)
If you had the gifts of prophecy, understanding hidden mysteries, or had all the knowledge in the world, and even faith that could move mountains, without love are nothing. Jesus talked about faith the size of a grain of mustard seed in Matthew 17:20, He said that type of faith can move mountains, but according to this scripture, without love, it is still nothing.  The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:8, God is love, to be without love is to be without God.

III. The Worthlessness of Sacrifice Without Love (1 Corinthians 13:3)
Verse 3 shows us that we could give all our possessions to the poor, and even give one’s body as a sacrifice, but without love gains nothing. Jesus may have been pointing to this principle in Matthew 6:1-2, He talks doing charitable deeds for recognition is worthless. We read in Hebrews 13:16, that to do good and sharing are sacrifices pleasing to God, when done in love, love is the way for the Christians to go.

IV. The Characteristics of True Love (1 Corinthians 13:4-6)
Verse 4-6 teaches the characteristics of love in any persons life love is patient, kind, not envious, boastful, or proud. Love is not rude, self-seeking, easily angered, nor does it keep a record of wrongs that has been done to the person who has the love that is talked about here. Love rejoices in truth, not in evil, love shuns evil and certainly won’t rejoice in it. The Bible tells about how love is expressed in people’s lives in Ephesians 4:2, it teaches us to be patient, bearing with one another in love. We read about the effect of love in Colossians 3:12-14, love binds everything together in perfect harmony, it creates unity in a group of people. And finally in Proverbs 10:12, love covers all offenses, which points out love’s forgiving nature.

V. Love’s Unyielding Support (1 Corinthians 13:7)
Verse 7 shows us many different aspects of the word love, it bears all things. We read in Ephesians 4:2, love bearing all things connects with being patient and bearing with one another with a loving attitude. In Colossians 3:13, we read about the forgiving aspect of love that bears all things. And in Proverbs 10:12, we see a contrast between hatred that stirs up conflict, but love, which covers all wrongs, which is somewhat like bearing all things. The ultimate expression of love is John 3:16, God gave His only begotten son to bear the sins of the whole world. No greater love had anyone (John 15:13).

• Love’s Unwavering Trust (1 Corinthians 13:7)     Verse 7 teaches also, that love believes all things, or has overwhelming trust because inside that person is truth.  The Psalmist writes in Psalm 15:1-2, the one who dwells with God is someone who speaks truth from the heart, which lines up with love’s rejoicing with the truth. We read in Proverbs 3:3-4, about faithfulness and truthfulness are at the core of a love that believes all things.
• Love’s Unfailing Hope (1 Corinthians 13:7)   Verse 7 shows us that love has hope in all things, as we believers have hope for what is at the end of the road of life, heaven. Hope is a powerful ally for the believer, we see in Romans 5:5, hope does not put us to shame because God’s love is poured into our hearts, love hopes in all things. We also read in Hebrews 6:19, hope as an anchor for the soul, holding us firm and secure. Psalm 147:11 tells us the Lord delights in those who put their hope in His unfailing love, love gives us hope, and hope is an ally to the spirit of a person.
• Love’s Unending Perseverance (1 Corinthians 13:7)   This verse teaches that love endures all things, endurance is a necessity for the Christian faith, it keeps us keeping on even in the midst of trials, opposition and even persecution. The Bible talks about this in James 1:12, the blessedness of perseverance under trial ties into love’s endurance. In Hebrews 12:1, the Bible talks about the race set before us requires endurance, and patience to keep on keeping on. Also we read in Galatians 6:9, encouragement not to become weary with doing good, love does not grow weary.

VI. Love’s Incompleteness in the Present (1 Corinthians 13:8-12)
Love never fails us, it is the perfection that comes in a believers life when they have walked with the Lord throughout their life, but comes to fruition when they get to Heaven. The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:7, we live by faith, not by sight, sight allows us to only see in part, but then we will see the whole picture that is God and eternity. In Romans 8:24, we see the incompleteness in our present state, it tells us to hope for what we do not see, this requires patient waiting, similar to the current partial knowledge of love. And in 1 John 3:2, when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is, the incomplete will become complete, or perfect.

VII. Love’s Eternal Supremacy (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Here in this world and lifetime, we have faith, hope, charity,  but of these three;  the greatest is charity (love).   Of the two commands Jesus gave in Matthew 22:37-39, both started with the word love, we are to love God and fellow man. On these two great commands Jesus gave rests the entire Old Testament teachings; Romans 13:10, love is the fulfillment of the law, teaching it’s supreme position of all the teachings of Christ. Finally we read in 1 Peter 4:8, the all encompassing nature of love, it covers a multitude of sins, pointing to it’s eternal value.

Conclusion:
1 Corinthians 13 teaches believers the nature and eternality of love as understood in the Christian faith. It reminds us that love is more than a feeling, it is a force that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things, giving light for us to trust, hope, and perseverance. All knowledge, spiritual gifts and prophecies will pass away, but love remains an unshakable foundation upon which believers are called to build their lives. This chapter moves us to recognize that the greatest of all virtues is love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony and will prevail when all else fades, for love never fails.