~3 min read
Ps Paul Cheng
1 Corinthians 13
“…Have you ever heard anyone say to you…”
Dear Bethelites,
In the secular world out there, perhaps love has been the most written and discussed topic, whether it is in poetry, songs, books, television and movies. We see this subject of love popping up time and again.
The Bible also has written much about love. In 1 Corinthian 13, the Apostle Paul spent an entire chapter about this topic of love. Ultimately in Christianity, almost two thousand years ago, the perfect love was manifested on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ. It is because of love that Jesus came into this world, For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). It is because of love that Jesus was crucified on the cross, and not the Jews, Pilate or the Romans who forced Him to go the way of Calvary. Jesus said, No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again (John 10:18). However, today, after so many years, and though love was so much spoken and written about, people are still unclear about the nature of true love.
Have you ever heard anyone say to you, “The church is not loving, or that believer has no love”? Why do they say that, and on what basis do they say that? Sometimes, maybe it was because of some doctrines that the church holds to, or some decisions that the church has to make, or some actions or words that the believer has made. But when you consider deeply into the reasons behind those decisions, actions and words, you may realize that the church or the believer has been misunderstood. In fact, the basis of those decisions, actions and words is love!
By way of illustration, oftentimes children would say to their parents, “Daddy and mummy do not love me. If they love me, why would they discipline me? Why would they do this to me?” Children just do not understand! The same is true with spiritual children, and they think that the church, or the pastor, leaders or members, do not have love. The sad reality is that until they grow up spiritually, they may never understand.
Before we embark on the qualities of love discussed in 1 Corinthians 13 which is commonly known as the “love chapter,” we first need to understand what biblical love is.
One must remember that this chapter of love was written in the context of a discussion about spiritual gifts. In other words, the Apostle Paul was trying to say that even if a person had all the spiritual gifts, but if he did not have love, he gained nothing. Spiritual gifts had to be exercised in the spirit of love!
The word used for charity here is the Greek word agape. In English, there is only one word for love, but the Greek language has four different words for; sexual love, family love, brotherly love, and God’s love. This word agape is God’s love. It is love in its purest sense; it is the love which God manifested through His only begotten Son.
In this chapter, Paul was not really focusing on what love is, but rather what love does or does not do. Love is active not passive. As one theologian explains, “Love does not only feel patience, it is patient and it practises patience. Love does not only have some gracious feelings, it is also gracious and it does gracious things. Love is not jealous, does not boast, is not proud, does not behave indecently, is not selfish, is not easily irritated, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, rejoices in the truth, bears all thing, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love is powerful, for it brings about change. It impacts lives. It is a great testimony. It is supernatural. It is only present in the life of someone who has been transformed. Only believers who have experienced the agape of God, would have this kind of love!” How true!
Indeed, as we seek to understand the characteristics of love depicted in this amazing chapter, we must bear in mind that it is the believer whose life has been indwelt and transformed by the Holy Spirit, and living in obedience to God’s Word, is able to demonstrate the qualities of this agape love.
With love in Christ,
Pastor Paul Cheng
1 CORINTHIANS 13Called to Be SaintsCalled to Be Saints1 Corinthians 1:1
The Church at CorinthThe Church at Corinth1 Corinthians 1:2-3
The Believer’s Spiritual BlessingsThe Believer’s Spiritual Blessings1 Corinthians 1:4-9
Divisiveness Calls For Strong ActionsDivisiveness Calls For Strong Actions1 Corinthians 1:10-17
The Foolishness of God is Wiser than Men (Part 1)The Foolishness of God is Wiser than Men (Part 1)1 Corinthians 1:18-21
The Foolishness of God is Wiser than Men (Part 2)The Foolishness of God is Wiser than Men (Part 2)1 Corinthians 1:22-25
In Performance or In Demonstration?In Performance or In Demonstration?1 Corinthians 2:1-5
The Wisdom of God (Part 2)The Wisdom of God (Part 2)1 Corinthians 2:6
The Wisdom of God (Part 3)The Wisdom of God (Part 3)1 Corinthians 2:7-10
The Natural Man and the Spiritual Man (Part 1)The Natural Man and the Spiritual Man (Part 1)1 Corinthians 2:10-13
The Natural Man and the Spiritual Man (Part 2)The Natural Man and the Spiritual Man (Part 2)1 Corinthians 2:14-16
Are Ye Not Carnal? (Part 1)Are Ye Not Carnal? (Part 1)1 Corinthians 3:1
Are Ye Not Carnal? (Part 2)Are Ye Not Carnal? (Part 2)1 Corinthians 3:2
Are Ye Not Carnal? (Part 3)Are Ye Not Carnal? (Part 3)1 Corinthians 3:3
Glorify God, Not MenGlorify God, Not Men1 Corinthians 3:4-8
A Biblical View of the Ministry (Part 1)A Biblical View of the Ministry (Part 1)1 Corinthians 3:10-11
A Biblical View of the Ministry (Part 2)A Biblical View of the Ministry (Part 2)1 Corinthians 3:12-13
A Biblical View of the Ministry (Part 3)A Biblical View of the Ministry (Part 3)1 Corinthians 3:14-16
The Remedy to Church Division (Part 1)The Remedy to Church Division (Part 1)1 Corinthians 3:16-17
The Remedy to Church Division (Part 2)The Remedy to Church Division (Part 2)1 Corinthians 3:18-20
The Remedy to Church Division (Part 3)The Remedy to Church Division (Part 3)1 Corinthians 3:21-23
A Biblical View of the MinisterA Biblical View of the Minister1 Corinthians 4:1-2
Whose Evaluation Really Matters?Whose Evaluation Really Matters?1 Corinthians 4:3-5
Dealing with Pride in the Church (Part 1)Dealing with Pride in the Church (Part 1)1 Corinthians 4:6
Dealing with Pride in the Church (Part 2)Dealing with Pride in the Church (Part 2)1 Corinthians 4:7
Dealing with Pride in the Church (Part 3)Dealing with Pride in the Church (Part 3)1 Corinthians 4:8
Beware of Spiritual Immaturity (Part 1)Beware of Spiritual Immaturity (Part 1)1 Corinthians 4:9-10
Beware of Spiritual Immaturity (Part 2)Beware of Spiritual Immaturity (Part 2)1 Corinthians 4:11-13
Marks of a Spiritual FatherMarks of a Spiritual Father1 Corinthians 4:14-15
Be Ye Followers Of Me (Part 1)Be Ye Followers Of Me (Part 1)1 Corinthians 4:16-17
Be Ye Followers Of Me (Part 2)Be Ye Followers Of Me (Part 2)1 Corinthians 4:18-20
Dealing with Sin in the ChurchDealing with Sin in the Church1 Corinthians 5:1-5
A Little Leaven Leaveneth the Whole Lump (Part 1)A Little Leaven Leaveneth the Whole Lump (Part 1)1 Corinthians 5:6-7
A Little Leaven Leaveneth The Whole Lump (Part 2)A Little Leaven Leaveneth The Whole Lump (Part 2)1 Corinthians 5:8-11
Can Believers Sue One Another? (Part 1)Can Believers Sue One Another? (Part 1)1 Corinthians 6:1
Can Believers Sue One Another? (Part 2)Can Believers Sue One Another? (Part 2)1 Corinthians 6:2-8
Such Were Some of You (Part 1)Such Were Some of You (Part 1)1 Corinthians 6:9-10
Such Were Some of You (Part 2)Such Were Some of You (Part 2)1 Corinthians 6:11
Not All Things Are Profitable (Part 1)Not All Things Are Profitable (Part 1)1 Corinthians 6:12a
Not All Things Are Profitable (Part 2)Not All Things Are Profitable (Part 2)1 Corinthians 6:12b
Not All Things Are Profitable (Part 3)Not All Things Are Profitable (Part 3)1 Corinthians 6:13
The Temple of the Holy Spirit (Part 1)The Temple of the Holy Spirit (Part 1)1 Corinthians 6:14-15
The Temple of the Holy Spirit (Part 2)The Temple of the Holy Spirit (Part 2)1 Corinthians 6:16-18
The Temple of the Holy Spirit (Part 3)The Temple of the Holy Spirit (Part 3)1 Corinthians 6:19
Singleness Or Marriage (Part 1)Singleness Or Marriage (Part 1)1 Corinthians 7:1, 6-7
Singleness Or Marriage (Part 2)Singleness Or Marriage (Part 2)1 Corinthians 7:2-5
Divorce and Remarriage (Part 1)Divorce and Remarriage (Part 1)1 Corinthians 7:10-11
Divorce and Remarriage (Part 2)Divorce and Remarriage (Part 2)1 Corinthians 7:12-16, 39
Be Faithful to Your Calling (Part 1)Be Faithful to Your Calling (Part 1)1 Corinthians 7:17-19, 21-23
Be Faithful to Your Calling (Part 2)Be Faithful to Your Calling (Part 2)1 Corinthians 7:20, 24
Should I Remain Single (Part 1)Should I Remain Single (Part 1)1 Corinthians 7:25-28
Should I Remain Single (Part 2)Should I Remain Single (Part 2)1 Corinthians 7:29-31
An Undivided Devotion To The Lord (Part 2)An Undivided Devotion To The Lord (Part 2)1 Corinthians 7:36-40
An Undivided Devotion To The Lord (Part 1)An Undivided Devotion To The Lord (Part 1)1 Corinthians 7:36-40
Knowledge Alone is Not Enough (Part 1)Knowledge Alone is Not Enough (Part 1)1 Corinthians 8:1-4, 8
Knowledge Alone is Not Enough (Part 2)Knowledge Alone is Not Enough (Part 2)1 Corinthians 8:2
Knowledge Alone is Not Enough (Part 3)Knowledge Alone is Not Enough (Part 3)1 Corinthians 8:3
Love and Christian Liberty (Part 1)Love and Christian Liberty (Part 1)1 Corinthians 8:4-6
Love and Christian Liberty (Part 2)Love and Christian Liberty (Part 2)1 Corinthians 8:7-13
Are You Willing To Give Up Your Rights? (Part 1)Are You Willing To Give Up Your Rights? (Part 1)1 Corinthians 9:1-6
Are You Willing To Give Up Your Rights? (Part 2)Are You Willing To Give Up Your Rights? (Part 2)1 Corinthians 9:7-11
Having To Pay To Hear The Gospel?Having To Pay To Hear The Gospel?1 Corinthians 9:15-19
All Things To All MenAll Things To All Men1 Corinthians 9:19-23
How To Run The Race Faithfully (Part 1)How To Run The Race Faithfully (Part 1)1 Corinthians 9:24
How To Run The Race Faithfully (Part 3)How To Run The Race Faithfully (Part 3)1 Corinthians 9:25b
How To Run The Race Faithfully (Part 2)How To Run The Race Faithfully (Part 2)1 Corinthians 9:25a
How To Run The Race Faithfully (Part 4)How To Run The Race Faithfully (Part 4)1 Corinthians 9:27
The Danger Of Overconfidence: Lesson From HistoryThe Danger Of Overconfidence: Lesson From History1 Corinthians 10:1-5
Encouragement in Times of Temptation (Part 2)Encouragement in Times of Temptation (Part 2)1 Corinthians 10:13
Encouragement In Times Of Temptation (Part 1)Encouragement In Times Of Temptation (Part 1)1 Corinthians 10:13
Flee From Idolatry (Part 1)Flee From Idolatry (Part 1)1 Corinthians 10:14-18
Flee From Idolatry (Part 2)Flee From Idolatry (Part 2)1 Corinthians 10:19-22
All Things Are Lawful, But All Things Are Not ExpedientAll Things Are Lawful, But All Things Are Not Expedient1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1
Submitting To God’s Order And Plan (Part 1)Submitting To God’s Order And Plan (Part 1)1 Corinthians 11:2-7
Submitting To God’s Order And Plan (Part 2)Submitting To God’s Order And Plan (Part 2)1 Corinthians 11:8-16
The Significance Of The Lord’s Supper (Part 1) — The PerversionThe Significance Of The Lord’s Supper (Part 1) — The Perversion1 Corinthians 11:17-34
The Significance Of The Lord’s Supper (Part 2) — The PurposeThe Significance Of The Lord’s Supper (Part 2) — The Purpose1 Corinthians 11:23-26
The Significance Of The Lord’s Supper (Part 3) — The PreparationThe Significance Of The Lord’s Supper (Part 3) — The Preparation1 Corinthians 11:27-34
The Right Understanding Of Spiritual GiftsThe Right Understanding Of Spiritual Gifts1 Corinthians 12:1-3
The Right Response To Spiritual GiftsThe Right Response To Spiritual Gifts1 Corinthians 12:4-7
The Variety Of Gifts (Part 2) — Temporal And Permanent GiftsThe Variety Of Gifts (Part 2) — Temporal And Permanent Gifts1 Corinthians 12:8-11
The Variety Of Gifts (Part 1) — Temporal And Permanent GiftsThe Variety Of Gifts (Part 1) — Temporal And Permanent Gifts1 Corinthians 12:8-11
Unity In DiversityUnity In Diversity1 Corinthians 12:12-26
Desiring The Best GiftsDesiring The Best Gifts1 Corinthians 12:27-31
The Qualities Of Love (Part 1) — Love Suffereth LongThe Qualities Of Love (Part 1) — Love Suffereth Long1 Corinthians 13:4a
Introduction To The Qualities Of LoveIntroduction To The Qualities Of Love1 Corinthians 13
What Has Love Got To Do With Spiritual Gifts?What Has Love Got To Do With Spiritual Gifts?1 Corinthians 13:1-3
The Qualities Of Love (Part 2) — Love Is KindThe Qualities Of Love (Part 2) — Love Is KindCorinthians 13:4b
The Qualities Of Love (Part 5) — Love Is Not Puffed UpThe Qualities Of Love (Part 5) — Love Is Not Puffed Up1 Corinthians 13:4e
The Qualities Of Love (Part 4) — Love Vaunteth Not ItselfThe Qualities Of Love (Part 4) — Love Vaunteth Not Itself1 Corinthians 13:4d
The Qualities Of Love (Part 3) — Love Envieth NotThe Qualities Of Love (Part 3) — Love Envieth NotCorinthians 13:4c
The Qualities Of Love (Part 9) — Love Thinketh No EvilThe Qualities Of Love (Part 9) — Love Thinketh No Evil1 Corinthians 13:5d
The Qualities Of Love (Part 7) — Love Is Not SelfishThe Qualities Of Love (Part 7) — Love Is Not Selfish1 Corinthians 13:5b
The Qualities Of Love (Part 8) — Love Is Not Easily ProvokedThe Qualities Of Love (Part 8) — Love Is Not Easily Provoked1 Corinthians 13:5c
The Qualities Of Love (Part 6) — Love Does Not MisbehaveThe Qualities Of Love (Part 6) — Love Does Not Misbehave1 Corinthians 13:5a
The Qualities Of Love (Part 10) — Love Rejoiceth Not In IniquityThe Qualities Of Love (Part 10) — Love Rejoiceth Not In Iniquity1 Corinthians 13:6a
The Qualities Of Love (Part 11) — Love Rejoiceth In The TruthThe Qualities Of Love (Part 11) — Love Rejoiceth In The Truth1 Corinthians 13:6b
The Qualities Of Love (Part 15) — Love Endureth All ThingsThe Qualities Of Love (Part 15) — Love Endureth All Things1 Corinthians 13:7d
The Qualities Of Love (Part 14) — Love Hopeth All ThingsThe Qualities Of Love (Part 14) — Love Hopeth All Things1 Corinthians 13:7c
The Qualities Of Love (Part 12) — Love Bears All ThingsThe Qualities Of Love (Part 12) — Love Bears All Things1 Corinthians 13:7a
The Qualities Of Love (Part 13) — Love Believeth All ThingsThe Qualities Of Love (Part 13) — Love Believeth All Things1 Corinthians 13:7b
The Permanence Of LoveThe Permanence Of Love1 Corinthians 13:8-13
Desire The Greater GiftDesire The Greater Gift1 Corinthians 14:1-6
Why Do We Not Speak In Tongues?Why Do We Not Speak In Tongues?1 Corinthians 14:7-19
The Need For MaturityThe Need For Maturity1 Corinthians 14:20-28
Let All Things Be Done Decently And In Order (Part 3)Let All Things Be Done Decently And In Order (Part 3)1 Corinthians 14:29-40
Let All Things Be Done Decently And In Order (Part 1)Let All Things Be Done Decently And In Order (Part 1)1 Corinthians 14:29-40
Let All Things Be Done Decently And In Order (Part 2)Let All Things Be Done Decently And In Order (Part 2)1 Corinthians 14:29-40
The Essence Of The Gospel MessageThe Essence Of The Gospel Message1 Corinthians 15:1-11
What If The Resurrection Is Not True?What If The Resurrection Is Not True?1 Corinthians 15:12-19
What Christ’s Resurrection Would EntailWhat Christ’s Resurrection Would Entail1 Corinthians 15:20-28
How The Resurrection Should Motivate Us (Part 1) — Motivated To Believe And Be BaptisedHow The Resurrection Should Motivate Us (Part 1) — Motivated To Believe And Be Baptised1 Corinthians 15:29
How The Resurrection Should Motivate Us (Part 2) — Motivated To Withstand DangerHow The Resurrection Should Motivate Us (Part 2) — Motivated To Withstand Danger1 Corinthians 15:30-31
How The Resurrection Should Motivate Us (Part 3) — Motivated To Endure Suffering And Motivated To Live Godly LivesHow The Resurrection Should Motivate Us (Part 3) — Motivated To Endure Suffering And Motivated To Live Godly Lives1 Corinthians 15:32-34
How Could Our Resurrection Be Possible? (Part 1) — Example Of A SeedHow Could Our Resurrection Be Possible? (Part 1) — Example Of A Seed1 Corinthians 15:35-38
How Could Our Resurrection Be Possible? (Part 2) — Example Of The Different BodiesHow Could Our Resurrection Be Possible? (Part 2) — Example Of The Different Bodies1 Corinthians 15:39-44
How Could Our Resurrection Be Possible? (Part 3) — Example Of The First And Last AdamHow Could Our Resurrection Be Possible? (Part 3) — Example Of The First And Last Adam1 Corinthians 15:45-49
What Has Christ’s Resurrection Got To Do With Me? (Part 3)What Has Christ’s Resurrection Got To Do With Me? (Part 3)1 Corinthians 15:50-57
What Has Christ’s Resurrection Got To Do With Me? (Part 2)What Has Christ’s Resurrection Got To Do With Me? (Part 2)1 Corinthians 15:50-57
What Has Christ’s Resurrection Got To Do With Me? (Part 1)What Has Christ’s Resurrection Got To Do With Me? (Part 1)1 Corinthians 15:50-57
Our Response To The ResurrectionOur Response To The Resurrection1 Corinthians 15:58
The Principles Of Giving (Part 3)The Principles Of Giving (Part 3)1 Corinthians 16:1-4
The Principles Of Giving (Part 2)The Principles Of Giving (Part 2)1 Corinthians 16:1-4
The Principles Of Giving (Part 1)The Principles Of Giving (Part 1)1 Corinthians 16:1-4
How Do We Do The Lord’s Work? (Part 1)How Do We Do The Lord’s Work? (Part 1)1 Corinthians 16:5-9
How Do We Do The Lord’s Work? (Part 2)How Do We Do The Lord’s Work? (Part 2)1 Corinthians 16:6-7
How Do We Do The Lord’s Work? (Part 3)How Do We Do The Lord’s Work? (Part 3)1 Corinthians 16:9-12
Stand Fast In The Faith (Part 3)Stand Fast In The Faith (Part 3)1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Stand Fast In The Faith (Part 2)Stand Fast In The Faith (Part 2)1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Stand Fast In The Faith (Part 1)Stand Fast In The Faith (Part 1)1 Corinthians 16:13-14
A Loving Affection For The BelieversA Loving Affection For The Believers1 Corinthians 16:15-24
The Wisdom of God (Part 1)The Wisdom of God (Part 1)Selected Scriptures