Paul finishes chapter 12 by exhorting these Corinthian believers that they should desire the most helpful gifts. In other words, in the desire to be helpful in the body of Christ, they should seek the power of the Spirit.The believers should earnestly desire gifts that benefit everyone. The Corinthians had to get their focus off of the gift of speaking in ecstatic languages; instead, they needed to see the value in all the gifts, especially those that helped others. Paul’s saying, let me tell you about something else that is better than any of them, leads into chapter 13.
Great faith, acts of dedication or sacrifice, miracle-working power, or the ability to speak in any language in heaven or on earth will produce very little without love. Without love, speaking in a heavenly language, although a gift of the Spirit, becomes nothing more than meaningless noise. The gift of tongues, used without love, is as valueless as pagan worship. Without love, the gifts do not build up other believers, so they are useless. Christians must not exalt gifts over character.
Love is far more important. True love produces willingness to give sacrificially and to suffer. Acts of charity and self-sacrifice can be done for the sake of an ideal or with pride as a motivation. But they are of no value for the Kingdom, wrote Paul, unless they are done from the foundation of love for others.
Because love is so important among the believers, Paul described that love in great detail. How does such love look when lived out in the lives of believers? First of all, love is patient, the opposite of being short-tempered. Patience is translated “long-suffering” or “slow to anger”. This type of love is an attribute of God.
Such love bears with certain annoyances or inconveniences without complaint. It does not lose its temper when provoked. It steadily perseveres.
Love is also kind. Kindness takes the initiative in responding generously to others’ needs. Because believers have received kindness, they ought to act with kindness toward others. Such love is considerate and helpful to others. Kind love is gentle and mild, always ready to show compassion, especially to those in need.
Love is not jealous. The jealous person desires what another person has. This seems to have been a particular problem in Corinth—those with “lesser” gifts envied those with “greater” gifts. The seed of envy can lead to seething anger and hatred. Those who are too busy envying each other’s gifts are unlikely to be using their own gifts in loving service to God and others. When there is love, believers will gladly use whatever gifts they have been given to work together for the advance of God’s Kingdom. They will be glad that others have different gifts so that the entire job can get done.
Love is not boastful or proud. While some pride can be positive, this kind of pride takes credit for an undeserved gift. Gifted believers who are caught up in pride and boasting over their gifts are unable to serve. Without love, they may feel that by using their gifts, they are doing someone a favor, that others should be grateful to them, and that they are far superior.
Love is not rude. This refers to actions that are improper, impolite, discourteous, or crude. Believers who use their gifts with love will be careful to act in a manner worthy of their calling before God. They will never humiliate others.
Love does not demand its own way. Love looks out for others, seeks their best interests, willingly gives up its own for the sake of another. A person who wants his own way may use his gifts but not with a serving attitude or a desire to build the Kingdom. Instead, the gifts are only used if they can somehow benefit the self-seeking person. This is not God’s way.
Love is not irritable, meaning easily angered or touchy. Such people let things get on their nerves. This is not the way of love.
Love keeps no record of when it has been wronged. Such people will remember every offense against them as though it were written in a book and tallied. Those who keep record of these wrongs and personal injuries will harbor resentment against other believers. Love, however, makes allowances for people’s foibles and flaws and willingly forgets when wrongs were done.
Love is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love does not take pleasure in any kind of injustice. Instead, love does the exact opposite. After explaining what love does not do, Paul listed four positive attributes of love.
Love never gives up, but willingly protects others. The word in Greek means “cover” or “hide by covering.” This does not refer to hiding hurtful sin but to protecting someone from embarrassment, gossip, or any other such harm. When believers love one another, they refuse harmful gossip and protect one another from those who would try to inflict harm.
Love never loses faith. It is willing to think the best of others. It does not mean that believers must be gullible, trusting everyone; instead, it means that they are willing to think the best as opposed to the worst of others. Love gives the benefit of the doubt. With real love, believers can deal with conflict lovingly. When everyone willingly thinks the best of everyone else, people are freed to be honest and open.
Love is always hopeful. Believers who love look forward, not backward. They seek for growth and maturity in the church, knowing that God is working in every person.
Love endures through every circumstance. Believers who love are active and steadfast in their faith. They hold on, no matter what difficulties they face. Hardship and pain do not stop love. When believers persevere, they face suffering within the body. They face persecution. They hang on when the going gets tough. They strive to save their marriages despite disappointment, to continue to trust God despite setbacks, and to continue to serve God despite fear or sorrow. When believers truly persevere, nothing can stop them.
All the spiritual gifts will eventually disappear, but love will last forever.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)
Nothing is more important than love. What a great reminder today for me. Galatians 5:6b (NIV) says, "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
Lord, remind me of this every day. Remind me of this when selfishness rears it's ugly head in my life. Remind me of this when I want to keep records of the wrongs done to me. Remind me of this when I can only see the flaws and faults in others. Remind me Lord, that this passage reveals how You see me.
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