How Love Is Presented In Chapter 13 Of Corinthians

In Chapter 13 of Corinthians Paul talked about spiritual gifts. Then in Chapter 13, he continues to write and talk about love. After reading verses 4-7, my eyes were opened. I observed that Paul was saying, spiritual gifts, talents, and riches are all good. But, if it doesn’t show or have love it is considered worthless. That’s how important love is portrayed per Paul. Out of all the many gifts God has given us, love lasts forever. Not just love, but faith and hope. However, with all those gifts taken into consideration love is the greatest one. During his journeys around the world, the book of Corinthians was written by Paul. Paul preached the gospel everywhere that he went. He was full of understanding and wisdom given to him by God. Paul not only wrote the book of
Corinthians, but he wrote what we would call epistles or letter to the latter churches during that time period. Those books are Romans, Acts, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Paul’s writings portrayed the boldness and leadership he had. His writings are described his character and what type of person Paul was. While my focus is on 1 Corinthians, Paul wrote this book while he was in another country. And it has been said that this book was written by Paul around 50-60 AD. Paul wrote this book explaining to the people of Corinthians because an issue came about, about spiritual gifts and gifts from God. Paul explained to them in the passage that having talents and spiritual gifts is worthless if you do not have agape love. Verses 4-7 of chapter 13 in 1 Corinthians is where agape love is described.

While reading the scriptures, it seemed to me that the church had a problem with knowing their gifts as well as not knowing what to do with their gifts. And because of that Paul wrote them to inform that about what kinds of gifts there are and everybody will not have the same gift. As well as, out of all gifts that we would have, we all will have love because it is the greatest gift of all. 1 John 4:8 says, Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:10 even says, “This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” In the scriptures, the word Love means “agape love”. The type of love that goes beyond judgement and deliberate choice than emotional love. While studying the word love, a quote caught my attention. The quote was “Love never gives up and never loses faith” and I strongly believe that’s what Paul was talking about when he talks about agape love. Emotional love is love that comes with everyday life experiences, and it does not last long, especially when it comes to relationships. However, agape love NEVER gives up. Agape love is so powerful simply because no matter if the relationship does not go well, agape love will never give up. Love will never lose faith. When you believe, and confess that, you realize that faith is just as important as love is. Never losing faith in love helps us as believers. It helps us believers grow close to God and it strengthens our faith. I love the song One Thing Remains by Jesus Culture. The lyrics are so powerful. The song says “Your love never fail, it never gives up, it never runs out on me.” “On, and on, and on, and on, it
goes. For it overwhelms and satisfies my soul. And I never, ever have to be afraid. Because one thing remains.” That song is so powerful and is a constant reminder that human love will fade away, but God loves it forever. His love never fails, his love never gives up, and it never runs out. God never gives up on us; he is always looking for ways to draw more people to him so that they can be saved. His love endures forever. Philia love is not bad love. But, it is not the complete love that mankind needs. Us humans needs agape love. The type of love that originates and comes from the father above. We should love one another with agape love. 1 Corinthians 13:3-7 in the message version provides to us what love is. “If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love. Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others, isn’t always “me first,” doesn’t fly off the handle, doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, doesn’t revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end.” The end portion of this verse stuck out to me the most, love trust God always, looks for the best, and never looks back. And that’s how we should be as Christians, not just in love, but in our walk with life and Christ.