Summary - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

The Love chapter: This is one of the most well-known sections of the Bible, Paul's presentation and explanation as to the what love is and how it works in the church. Without love, the church fails. The first three verses explain how important it is - greater than any other language, the gifts of prophecy, of knowledge, or generosity (even to the point of self-sacrifice). The performance of any of these acts while lacking love, nullifies their value. Personalized, Paul indicates, not even an apostle can be effective without love (Baker, p. 191).

Verses 4-7 form a second section which gives fifteen attributes or characteristics of love, sometimes from a positive and sometimes from a negative viewpoint: patience, kindness, not jealous, not boastful, not proud, decorous (sexually), unselfish, not provoked, discounts offenses, rejoices in good-not evil- and truth - not injustice, bears all things, believes all things, hopes for all, and endures all. The goal of all Christians is to be an ideal person, an example of Christ. Love is a commitment of mind and will which once followed bring along the emotions of the heart. Love is to be used in the church with fellow-believers. Love can spill outside of the church to non-believers because its source is Christ.

The third section points believers to eternity when love alone abides. Prophecy, tongues and knowledge fall to the wayside. Imperfections of all kinds slide away in the growth from childhood to spiritual maturity where in eternity we can fully see as we are fully known. The gifts of faith and hope are crowned with the gift of love.

Extra source: Cornerstone Biblical Commentary 1 Corinthians (William Baker), 2 Corinthians (Ralph Martin & Carl Toney), ed. by Philip Comfort. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, c2006.