First Corinthians 13 Part 1 The Love Of God In Us Must Shape Our Actions

The love of God flowing in and through us is the more excellent way. 

1 Corinthians 12:31  But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. 

The last chapter concluded with Paul telling the Corinthians to covet in a good sense, the best spiritual gifts.

Then, the apostle told the church that he was going to show them a more excellent way, that puts the focus upon heart transformation rather than upon spiritual gifts.

Speaking in tongues without love is as foolish as banging cymbals. 

1 Corinthians 13:1  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 

The connection between the end of chapter twelve and the beginning of this chapter is readily apparent.

The Corinthians were so distracted by coveting prominent spiritual gifts that jealousy and division were destroying the unity of the Spirit within the church (See Ephesians 4:3).

The word "speak" is most frequently translated as a word connected to conversation. 

Thus, where this Greek word is used it is translated with words like speaking, speak, spoke, talk, preach, said, and so on.

The word "tongues" refers to human speech and this fits the pattern for the gift of tongues that we noted from Acts 2:1-6.

Therefore, when Paul refers to speaking on tongues of men he is referring to uneducated Christians preaching the gospel of Christ in foreign languages as happened at Pentecost. 

What does Paul mean when he says "Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels.."?

Some Jews believed that there was a specific language used by angels. This may be true but it is certainly not provable.

We understand that Paul is speaking of a hypothetical situation. He says "Though I cannot speak in an angelic tongue, if I were able to speak that language, it means nothing without charity."

"Charity" is the more excellent way Paul wanted to show them. 

Without this fruit of the Spirit, all that we say or do is like clanging cymbals together. 

Clanging cymbals together produce loud, noisy sounds that accomplish nothing.

In this chapter, the Greek word "agape" is translated "charity." 

The word "charity" has changed slightly in meaning over time so that today it generally refers to almsgiving to meet the needs of the poor.

Webster's 1828 dictionary contains a very good definition of the word "charity."

"In a general sense, love, benevolence, good will; that disposition of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men to think favorably of their fellow men, and to do them good. In a theological sense, it includes supreme love to God, and universal good will to men."

Originally, the word "charity" clearly captured the fulfillment of the law of God by loving God first and loving others before ourselves. 

In the King James Bible, this word is most often translated "love" 74% of the time it is used. 

God's love is shed abroad in our heart by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

Therefore, it is right to think of the word "charity" as the love of God poured into us by the Spirit of God. 

The words "shed abroad" refers to a river that floods over its banks inundating a large area.

Such love or charity is poured into our heart when we are regenerated by the Spirit of God. 

"Charity" is that glorious unconditional love which God had for mankind. 

This love of God was fully displayed when Christ died for us on the cross, to complete God's plan to save us from our sins. 

It is unconditional love because "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son" (John 3:16).

Salvation is freely offered to all people and all nations who hear the gospel and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (See John 3:1-18).

Charity and the love of God for us are interchangeable. 

Matthew 22:36-40  Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37)  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38)  This is the first and great commandment. 39)  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40)  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. 

Jesus said we are to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Since the church at Corinth suffered from angry contentions and divisive cliques, this  is a full proof that a right love to God and man was lacking.

Without the love of God shaping their lives all the spiritual gifts and graces were nothing in the eyes of God. 

It is evident that they did not love one another, which is proof that they did not love God.  

The Corinthians lacked the love for one another that Christ commanded.

John 13:34-35  A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35)  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 

Hear and heed the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus commands all Christians to love one another because unconditional love for one another is a powerful witness of salvation to a corrupt world.

Charity or love in its fullest and most extensive meaning is having true love to God and man. 

Such a love of God in us creates a benevolent disposition of mind towards other Christians, that grows out of sincere and fervent devotion to God. 

This is a living principle of love that shapes all spiritual duty and obedience. 

Charity of love is the more excellent way of which the apostle speaks, and it is superior to all gifts. 

Without charity or love the most glorious spiritual gifts are nothing, of no account to us and of no esteem in the sight of God.

Love is the primary fruit of God's Spirit that should be evident in our lives.

Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23)  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

The fruit of the Spirit is to be clearly evident in the life of a professing Christian. 

If we say we love God but we hate our brother, then we are liars and the truth is not in us (See 1 John 2:9-11).

Jesus said that we would be known by our fruits. 

A good tree (the Christian) will produce good fruit but a corrupt tree (the sinner) can only yield corrupt fruit. 

Thus, love as a manifestation of the indwelling Holy Spirit is mandatory for believers in Christ. 

Some Corinthians, perhaps many, did not exhibit the love of the Spirit's fruit in their lives. Therefore, spiritual gifts were abused and misused. 

Love for God and man is proof that we are a child of God. 

1 John 3:23-24  And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 24)  And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. 

Let us examine ourselves to see if we truly love God and others.

Let us make sure that we love one another as Christ commanded.

Let us seek a fresh outpouring of the love of God into our heart, that we might serve Christ with renewed passion and zeal.

Bob