Stupid Scholar

1 Corinthians 13 is quite famous for being the “Love Chapter” of the Bible. It is often seen on plaques and cards given out at weddings, used to sign love letters, and portions are memorized by Sunday School classes. It is even engraved on the pavement beside the gates of the Queensberry House of the Scottish Parliament.  How cool (crazy?) is that?

Setting of 1 Corinthians

However, as sweet and wonderful as this passage most assuredly is, it is often misunderstood and, worse it is mis- or under- applied. St. Paul writes the Love Chapter towards the end of a letter to a church suffering from division, selfishness, and strife. It was not meant as a “sweet nothing” that parishioners would whisper in each others’ ear.

Rather it was meant as a stern correction against otherwise uncharitable behavior. Indeed, the Christians in the Corinthian church were most unloving and uncaring.  If you read through the book, you see that they were very self-centered and divisive.  Some would even gorge themselves and send others home hungry (chapter 11).  St. Paul writes 1 Corinthians 13 to remind, rebuke, and reinvigorate these <i>Christians</i> to care for each other rather than look out for themselves.

Context of 1 Corinthians 13

More specifically, St. Paul writes this passage in the middle of a larger section on spiritual gifts. In chapter 12, the apostle discusses the fact that the Spirit of God has given different gifts to different Christians. Simply because one person has a certain gift does not mean that he or she is superior to those who do not. Likewise, no gift can survive on its own. The Church is a body made up of many parts, and each part depends upon the others.

Likewise, in chapter 14, St. Paul discusses the gifts of prophecy and tongues in a little more depth. He encourages the believers to seek out prophecy more than tongues, since the former benefits the entire community, where the latter benefits only the individual. He also encourages these Christians that they should use their gifts but in decent, orderly ways so that everyone may be edified.

Love as the Prime Spiritual Gift

Now what does all this have to do with love?  Sandwiched between these two chapters dealing with spiritual gifts, 1 Corinthians 13 almost seems out of place. What does love have to do with tongues, prophecy, wisdom, and miracles?

It seems to me that Paul thinks that love is one of the spiritual gifts! Love comes from the Spirit of God, and is for the benefit of the whole church.

Now Paul didn’t find it necessary to define the other spiritual gifts; there is no, “Speaking in tongues means…”  Think of all the current controversy over that one! Yet Paul spends an entire chapter (13 verses in all) talking about what love is. Thus, Paul thinks that not only is love a spiritual gift but that it is the most important spiritual gift. It is essential for the church.  Love is the prime spiritual gift.

In fact, in the last verse of chapter 12, St. Paul tells the Corinthians, “Earnestly desire the greater gifts. Now, I will show you an even more excellent way.” Of all the spiritual gifts, love is the best. So I’m planing to take several weeks and study this most excellent way.

Care to join me?