1 Corinthians 13:13
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Father me to believe in love. Help me to treat others in the same way that I want to be treated. Help me to love mercy, to forgive quickly and always to humbly walk with You. Thank you for loving me in my feeble attempts to live in the truth of Jesus knowing that You, Holy Spirit, always walk beside me to guide me and strengthen me. Your love covers a multitude of my sins. Carla
1 Corinthians 13:4-12
4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. NKJV
Love never fails. This uncompromising and bold affirmation introduces the contrast with the spiritual gifts which will not last. Paul wants the Corinthians to know that all the gifts, especially tongues, which attracted their attention so much, would one day no longer be needed. But love would continue forever. Prophesies will fail. The word translated fail is in the passive voice, indicating that something will cause prophecies to stop. Unlike prophecies, tongues will simply stop (no external cause is indicated by the Greek). Knowledge will vanish away. The term translated will vanish away here is the same word translated “will fail” earlier in verse 8.
When that which is perfect has come. The Greek word for perfect means “end” or “completion.” Most likely, this is a reference to the Second Coming of Christ and the completion of all things. The NKJV Study Bible
Jealous refers to the intense desire to advance at the disadvantage of someone else. Those who are jealous resent the success of others. Boast refers to the desire to obtain adoration or acknowledgment from others by explaining to others your own self-worth (usually without them asking to know about it).
Conceited refers to self-admiration that leads a person to consider himself or herself better than others. A failure to show respect and honor to others. The wealthy Corinthian believers dishonored the poor believers (11:17–21). refers to the refusal to forgive someone of a wrongdoing. The Greek word used here for truth, alētheia, refers to the gospel message and stands in contrast to “unrighteousness.” Love rejoices in this truth because the gospel demonstrates God’s love (Romans 5:8).
To bear all things involves enduring difficulties, and even taking on (spiritually) the difficulty of others (being compassionate (1 Corinthians 9:12). Exhibiting confidence in God and His promises. This Includes hardships and persecution (2 Corinthians 11:23–28).
Love never ends. Love will not become obsolete or invalid. The Corinthian believers emphasized the gift of tongues as a sign (perhaps even a required sign) of Christ dwelling with someone. Paul reveals that the gifts will one day be no longer necessary, but love will always be (1 Corinthians 13:13). Therefore, love is the true sign of someone who follows Christ (John 13:35).
Paul refers to three spiritual gifts that will no longer be necessary in the age to come—prophecy, tongues, and knowledge. All three gifts are related to God’s revelation to His people during the present age; thus, the three “will pass away” at the end of the age when the kingdom of God is fully inaugurated (1 Corinthians 2:6). The gifts do not have eternal value compared to love.
Whenever the perfect comes the Greek word used here, teleios, refers to the fullness of God’s salvation that will come at the second coming of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).
When Christ appears, believers will no longer need the gifts—Christ Himself will be showing who He is and what He is doing in person (not just through others, but directly to all people). The meaning of teleios as “fulfillment” or “achievement” points to that ultimate fulfillment of God’s kingdom. The eschatological context of 1 Corinthians 13:8–13 implies this “perfection” relates to the arrival of the “end,” not some humanly attainable “perfection” in the present age.
Through a mirror In the Graeco-Roman world, a mirror consisted of a polished metal disc with a handle. The reflection visible in the polished silver or bronze was a much more imperfect and indirect representation than modern mirrors. Alternatively, Paul may be referring to the idea of a mirror as an instrument of self-reflection (James 1:23–24).
Paul implies that believers will see God. It is possible that seeing God will result in perfect knowledge to understand the “mysteries” (1 Corinthians 13:2). Faithlife Study Bible
Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers all sins.
1 Corinthians 8:2–3
And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
1 Corinthians 10:24
Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
In Care of the Soul, Thomas Moore writes that living artfully with time might only require something as simple as pausing. In our modern life—with its premium on speed, our internal governors set on Hurry or Urgent—we have no time for reflection or pondering, or for allowing impressions of the day to sink into our hearts.
Our souls resonate with stillness, slowness and renewal. Something restorative and grounding.
However, when speed is a compulsion, how do we "go back?"
How do we hit the re-set button?
How do we hit the paradigm shift question, from, “What do you do?” or “What did you accomplish today?” to “Tell me, where do you find replenishment and rest and renewal?”
Our bodies, and our spirits, are in favor of the need to slow down—pausing to name and find sanctuary. We know in our DNA that sanctuary replenishes, allowing us to make choices to live fully.
There one minor hiccup; sanctuary is not just a place or space, but a practice.
So. How do we practice resting and sanctuary in a world where the enticement of speed and instant information takes its toll unconsciously?
Taking with us Etty Hillesum’s invitation. “Ultimately, we have just one moral duty. To reclaim large areas of peace in ourselves, more and more peace, and to reflect it towards others. And the more peace there is in us, the more peace there will also be in our troubled world.”
This week, where were you able to find replenishment?
Where were you able to find renewal?
Where were you able to feel the embrace—even if only a smidgen—of inner peace?
And Parker Palmer’s guidance deserves to be read twice. “By surviving passages of doubt and depression of the vocational journey, I have become clear about at least one thing: self-care is never a selfish act—it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others. Anytime we can listen to true self and give it the care it requires, we do so not only for ourselves but for the many others whose lives we touch.” Sabbath Moments
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