FMC

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. – 1 Corinthians 13:8

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The passage in 1 Corinthians 13 is sometimes referred to as the “Hymn of Love”. It is not only one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible, but also a central guide for Christian life and relationships.

However, the background behind this “Hymn of Love” is not as beautiful. The apostle Paul wrote these words while addressing serious spiritual problems in the Corinthian church. The church in Corinth had many spiritual gifts, but it also had many problems. They took pride in their gifts, yet lacked unity and care for one another.

This is similar to what we see in the passages from Numbers that we read this week. Numbers chapters 1–10 present a picture of harmony between God and His people. But beginning in chapter 11, the relationship between the people and God suddenly deteriorates. The Israelites began complaining that manna was too monotonous, and they became jealous of Moses’ unique gifts, spiritual authority, and his special relationship with God. These complaints spread like a tumor among the people of Israel, and the result was that God’s anger was kindled against them.

The apostle Paul deeply understood God’s heart. When believers in the Corinthian church began elevating various spiritual gifts that caused division and disunity, he wrote this timeless “Hymn of Love.” Let us read this passage carefully again:

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. (1 Corinthians 13:4–8)

These qualities of love reflect how God has loved His people from beginning to end, and they also show how the Lord Jesus loves us.

Love is patient. The Lord led the Israelites with long-suffering mercy and patience, yet the people repeatedly rebelled and repeatedly asked for forgiveness. Because of love, God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to bear the burden of our sins and to die on the cross for us.

God loves sinners, but He never loves sin. This love is not blind indulgence, favoritism, or superficial harmony. Rather, it is a love that rejoices in the truth and refuses to delight in wrongdoing. Within this boundary, love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things” (v.6). Human sin often appears as self-righteousness. We convince ourselves that our actions are right, just, and even loving. But when love and righteousness come from our sinful nature rather than from God, they become distorted and may even become a deception.

In our church life, the Holy Spirit gives us different gifts so that we may work together to build up the body of Christ, not so that we may compare who is greater or more important. Even the largest machine cannot function without a single screw. True love goes beyond gifts as it helps us see the needs of other members and willingly support and serve one another. True love also means continually laying down ourselves in daily life so that the Holy Spirit may reign in our lives.

Reflection:
During this Lenten season, let us once again reflect on the love of the Lord Jesus. How does this love encourage us to live out love in our daily lives? When I am weak, how does this love draw me back to Him? When I am weary, how does this love refresh me so that I may return to the source of love and receive strength again?

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, whose love for us never changes, when I lack love and only seek to exalt myself, please forgive me. Help me continually return to the source of love. May I live out love in my daily life and bear witness to it. I pray in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

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