Love never fails.John Farley
Pastor-Teacher Sunday, December 8, 2019 Love never fails1Co 13:4-8a In chapter 12, Paul started to deal with the improper use of spiritual gifts. Time and time again, Paul has been urging them to stop being selfish and think about the needs of others. He speaks of love as the ultimate antidote to the selfish, boastful, thoughtless behavior of the Corinthian church. Verses 1-3 contrast the gifts without love and the gifts with love. Verses 4-7 describe what love does - and what it doesn’t do. Verses 8-13 put the spiritual gifts in their proper place. It’s nothing less than the love of God made visible in Christ Jesus. (Rom 8:37-39) 1Jo 3:16-18 Paul gives a subtle rebuke here because their behavior was the opposite of love. Love does not brag. 1Co 13:4-8a Love is active. It must act for the well-being of the one loved. Paul gives 9 negative statements about what love does not do, … …and 7 positive statements about what love does do. But he brings more attention to the negative statements. The more excellent way is the opposite of their current ways. The positives are things that Paul and our Lord did. The Corinthians should imitate Paul as he imitates Christ. 1Co 4:16; 11:1; Eph 5:1; 1Th 1:6; 2:14; Heb 6:12. 1Co 10:31-11:1 1Co 13:4 Love is patient. It means to put up with difficult people. To restrain yourself from lashing out in anger. Jam 1:19-20 Since God is love, 2Pe 3:9 Love is kind. It means to provide something beneficial for someone as a gracious act. Love acts in kindness even when the other person is unkind. Love is not jealous. 1Co 3:3-4 Love is pleased with the success of others. 1Co 12:26 Love does not brag or boast. 1Co 4:7 The opposite of boasting is humbling oneself. Mat 23:11-12 Love is not arrogant. Love does not get puffed up with pride. 1Co 4:5 1Co 13:5 Love does not act unbecomingly. Love does not engage in shameful activities. The Corinthians were engaged in several kinds of shameful behavior. Love does not seek its own. 1Co 10:24
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