A Chapter I Thought I Knew

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And now I will show you the most excellent way … I Corinthians 12:31

Since I have been “seeking divine perspective,” I have been given new perspectives on God, people, experiences, and some biblical passages I THOUGHT I knew.

Recently my friend David Sharrard, the most knowledgeable person I know when it comes to history and cultures, posted a commentary on I Corinthians 13 which I found fascinating. This piece shows I Corinthians as not only a description of divine Love, but also the reason God’s way is superior to every other way. Check it out. I’m including the passage for quick reference:

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9. For we know in part, and we prophecy in part. 10. But when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13. And now these three things remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love. – I Corinthians 13:1-13

Dave’s commentary:

One of the best known Bible passages, First Corinthians chapter 13 known as the love chapter is so much more. God used it to attack human philosophy. Verse 1 gives a blow against Eastern mysticism, (Buddhists use clanging cymbals ). Verse 2 strikes at Gnosticism, where we get our word knowledge…and these folks thought they had received a “special” knowledge. Verse 3 hits against Stoicism a philosophy that built the Roman Empire, but relied on human strength alone. Verse 4 opposes the thought of egotism, where your self and self-interests rule. Verse 5 attack’s narcissism and Epicureanism basically the love of self-pleasure. Verse 6 speaks against hedonism which is just plain evil. You can throw in cynicism too. This isn’t just a chapter about God’s love…it exposes the weakness of human philosophy and so called “wisdom”. The Bible says about man, “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.”

Prayer: Our loving Father in heaven, we are surrounded by ways that are not Your ways. The world, the flesh, and the devil have devised seemingly endless ways to get it wrong, but as Your people, we want to get it right! Continue to show us Your most excellent way, through Your Word, Your Spirit, and the perfect example of love, Your Son Jesus. In His name, amen.

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Published by seekingdivineperspective

I am a forgiven sinner and adopted child of God, seeking to see life from His perspective - as opposed to the world's flawed perspective - and living my life accordingly.

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22 thoughts on “A Chapter I Thought I Knew”

  1. Thank you for sharing Dave’s commentary on First Corinthians chapter 13. Each of his interpretations is brief and to the point. This is such a enlightening Biblical passage. It clarifies so much in so few words and explains why-short and sweet.

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  3. Wow–I had no idea 1 Corinthians 13 addressed all those ancient philosophies. No doubt Paul was acquainted with each one, and as the brilliant apologist that he was, pointed out their weaknesses without actually naming them. / Amen to your prayer also, Annie: As God’s people, we want to get it right, living by God’s excellent ways!

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