1 Corinthians 13

Sunday, 4 January 2015

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3

As Paul continues with his words concerning self-denial without accompanied love, he notes that “though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor” is something that others may find notable. In Greek, the term “bestow…to feed the poor” is one Greek word, psomiso. It indicates “to portion out” or “to give away by mouthfuls.” The use of this word is to show that if someone were to take every scrap of their existence and parcel it out as a way of obtaining the favor of God, or being elevated in the sight of men, it actually means nothing without love.

In this, we can think of people who live as monks who own nothing and act piously. As they receive, they hand it out to others. On the surface, this may seem noble and worthy of commendation, but this is a worthless existence that ends in futility unless it is done in love. If God isn’t in their hearts and if there is no true sense of charity in their deeds, then they are simply wasting their lives. If one is exalted through deeds of piety in the eyes of others, it means that they have received their reward in full.

Paul goes on to say that “though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” In the book of Daniel, the three children of Israel went to the flames rather than bow to a false god. Others throughout history have done the same. The burning of Christians in the early years of the faith was a common occurrence. Later, the Roman Catholic Church burned faithful believers at will. People such as John Hus gave themselves to the flames rather than bow to the church’s wicked practices. These people gave their lives for the sake of Christ, standing on love for Him rather than love for this world.

However, Paul shows us that there is nothing intrinsically worthwhile in dying in this manner. Buddhist monks self-immolate from time to time in protest of certain events. However, this is a pointless death unless it is done with true love as its purpose. One can nobly die for another, preserving the other’s life in exchange for their own, or one can die for their faith in Christ and their properly directed love of God. In this, there is a valid reason for going to the flames. But to simply die for the sake of dying, consigning oneself to the flames without a loving reason in mind, has no merit at all.

Life application: The greatest supposed acts of charity are completely worthless unless they are motivated by love. Without love, it is wasted effort.

My Lord, what is it that is pleasing to You? Money? Shall I give money to charity to buy Your love? Would it be pleasing if I spent all my time, day and night, sitting in a pew for others to see my piety? Would I gain points for heaven by going to the flames in protest of a moral issue? Would these things buy me access to Your eternal home? Lord, I know that none of these will do me an iota of good unless they are accompanied with a heartfelt love for You. Let my deeds be deeds of faith, not for others to see, but for You to rejoice over. Be pleased with my heart, love, and actions as I do them for You. Amen.

Saturday, 3 January 2015

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, but have not love, I am nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:2

In continuance of the previous thought concerning tongues, Paul now moves to the gift of prophecy. This was esteemed as a higher gift than tongues by him in 1 Corinthians 12:27. He notes here that if he possesses this gift which would allow him to “understand all mysteries and all knowledge” there would still be a lack without love.

The term “mysteries” refers to that which was once unknown, but which has been revealed by God at the right time to continue to make known His plan of redemption. It is not specifically referring to predictions of things which will occur in the future, but rather to the revealing of anything that has or may occur and how that information fits into redemptive history. This idea is found in Deuteronomy 29:29 –

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

Possessing such knowledge, or being able to discern such knowledge from His word, is not an end in and of itself. It is simply a gift like any other which needs to be accompanied by love. An example of this might be a very scholarly seminary professor. He understands the biblical languages and has great insights into the many patterns of Scripture which point to God’s revealed plans. But if he doesn’t truly love God or his word, all of his knowledge is ultimately futile. In the end, his temporary knowledge will be consumed by the march of time.

Paul continues with the thought that “though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” This isn’t speaking of “saving faith” but rather the faith that “I can do all things.” This is evidenced by the words “so that I could remove mountains.”

As an example, a person may have great confidence that he can start a church, build it to a very successful ministry, work through all of the bureaucracy of building a large sanctuary, organize worship teams, pastoral teams, etc., so that he has the biggest ministry in town. Such a person is self-confident of his abilities and can “remove mountains.” However, if he is doing it for self-aggrandizement or to simply get wealthy, all of his efforts are in vain. In the end, he will be no closer to true life than a pagan who worships in an idol’s temple.

Life application: Great human achievement or possessing great wealth is not a sound indication of a great person. True greatness comes from a love for God, a love for the church of God’s people, a heart for God’s word, and a desire to glorify God in every aspect of life.

Lord God, if my life is one of great success and immense wealth, what good will it do me when my days are finished? I will return to the same dust that the poor beggar returns to. The only thing that will matter on that day is what I did for You? Was I obedient to Your word, did I receive the Gift of Your Son, and did I honor and glorify You with this life by my actions towards others? I know that at my life’s end, these are the things which will be remembered. Help me to keep my life in the proper perspective so that when I stand before You, I will receive Your welcome call, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Amen.

Friday, 2 January 2015

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians 13:1

After a short note of something special coming in the preceding verse, Paul seems to suddenly interrupt the flow of the letter concerning controversial issues and begins a discourse on the necessity and power of love in order to overcome all obstacles. There is nothing out of place with this insertion, but rather it is a necessary component which is given to remind his audience that there is an overarching point upon which all other matters of doctrine should be subjected.

That this is a certain truth is confirmed by the words of the Lord Himself when He said this to an inquisitive lawyer concerning matters of the law –

“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37, 38

Love is the central tenet of true worship and it is the heart of true fellowship between God and man and between man and man. Paul will describe what it means to be lacking this most important principle by beginning with, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels.”

There are literally thousands of known languages in the world. These are “the tongues of men.” Understanding and speaking more than one or two of them is a rare and valuable commodity. In some cultures, knowing several languages is more common than others because of interaction between other cultures, but there is always a limit to that interaction. The more languages a person knows, the more important they become as an asset to others as they speak words of trade, help, and even diplomacy.

The tongues of angels is not speaking of some unknown language that is beyond the reach of human knowledge. Nor is it speaking of unintelligible gurglings which people then claim is a divine spark of inspiration which then proves they have some special connection with the Holy Spirit. Rather, Hebrews tells us that angels are “ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”

Therefore, the tongues of angels is tied to their interaction with humans. They speak with authority because they are the messengers of God. They speak with care because they are ministering spirits for God’s people. They speak with eloquence because they speak the words which are given through them by the Creator. The tongues of angels are known languages which carry the power and authority of God.

Paul notes that even if he speaks with these tongues which are powerful in and of themselves for effecting various purposes, “but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” The utter futility of possessing the power of the tongue is evident in the lack of love in the use of that tongue. Paul equates it to “a sounding brass.” When a horn is blown, it makes a sound. It can even make a sound which is musical and pleasing to the ear. However, it is still an unintelligible sound. It is simply a tone of noise.

To speak without love is such a tone. In modern terms, we would call such noise “paying lip service.” If there is a spoken word to the Lord, but there is no love behind the word, there is no true devotion to the Lord. If a person says he cares about a matter, but he doesn’t follow up with actions which complement the words, then there is no true substance behind the words. In essence, he is like breath on a cold morning which simply fades out of sight.

Paul also calls this type of speech “a clanging cymbal.” A cymbal clangs by being struck to make sound resonate off of it. Without there being harmony between the one striking the cymbal and the cymbal being struck, the noise will be offensive, not melodious. If a child bangs on a cymbal, it is annoying. However, if one who is mature and understands the structure of music and how to obtain the proper sound for the brass to make that music, it is both pleasing to the ears and effective in its purpose, either by itself or in unison with others playing other instruments.

Without love, there is only noise without purpose. Without love, there is only disharmony and an unsettling din of noise. But with love, there is effective communication, edification, and peace between those who are communicating.

Life application: As Christians, we would do well to pay close attention to the words of 1 Corinthians chapter 13 and apply them to our lives. May God be pleased with hearts which act in love in agreement with the words spoken which profess that love.

Heavenly Father, time and again your word shows that religion without a heartfelt love for You is ineffective and useless. Those who go to church, do good things, and give money for various causes cannot be pleasing to You without love for You and obedience to Your word. And so I would pray that You would humble my heart and soften it to a true and right relationship with You. I know then that my deeds of charity will be acceptable to Your eyes. This I pray that we will have true and right fellowship. Amen.