Paul Personifies Love
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
Paul personifies love in 1 Corinthians 13. Greeks have 4 kinds of love. Affection, good will, benevolence, and selfless and self sacrificing.
It’s the importance of “Agape” love!
Philip 2:1-8 To have the mind of Christ. Look out for the interest of others.
Let this mind be in you. Was it for his benefit that Christ died on the cross? He did it with our best interest.
Greater than Spiritual gifts. I Cor. 13:1-2 This attitude of love is greater than all the gifts that one can have.
A more excellent way 12:31. More than all the spiritual gifts put together. Faith works by love. Faith works by love. Gal. 5:6 People know facts, but are not motivated by it. Love energizes faith.
Our benevolence profits nothing without love. I Cor. 13:3
Who promotes their cause by putting themselves on fire or even something like their car?
Pharisees did their works to be seen of men. Matt. 23:1-12
Do you do things to be seen by men? Matt. 6
Prayer, charity – Be in secret and the Lord will reward you. Some principal on prayer and fasting. Some people have the wrong motive on charitable needs. We have to watch that.
Love is greater than faith and hope. I Cor. 13:3
Hope that is seen is not hope.
In the next section, Paul talks about the usefulness of love. I Cor. 13:4-7
Proper attitude toward others! Long-suffering 13:4
Many times we want to get back at someone. We are not to practice revenge.
Our attitude in Agape love.
Love is kind, courteous 13:4
Not jealous of the victories and fortunes of other people. Have the right attitude. Do some people like to fight? If we have this love, your not going to be acting this way.
Thinks no evil 13:5
What we think about you and what you think about me.
We will not be suspicious and put them for the best motive. Proper attitude toward self! Love is not: Puffed up: 13:4, Rom. 12:3
Cling to what is good.
Love does not parade itself. 13:4
What is that idea? How do you show your love?
Love does not seek it’s own. Verse 5
Philip 2:3-4 Do you always have others interests?
Attitude toward circumstances of life. Recognize a proper rule of living!
Does not behave rudely (unseemly) 13:5, Rom. 12:12
Does not behave it self unseemly. According to a standard. Who sets that standard? God does. The braveness to follow, even though the world may be going through another way.
Spiritually walking in the Lord. know the standard we must live. Rejoice in the truth. Walk according to God’s law. Have the proper attitude toward problems!
Bears all things believes all things, hopes all things endures all things. 13:7
Accepts these without complaining or giving up on life. Remember the song, This World is Not My Home? Heb. 12 Run with patience. Keep your eye on it?
Don’t give up because bad circumstances on our lives.
Know the value of overcoming. Duration of Love. 13:8-13 Love never fails.
If we have this love, we won’t quit.
Keep on, keeping on.
Spiritual gifts to cease. 13:8-10
Knowledge will help it vanish away. Speak things they have never heard.
Perfect is used for completeness God’s divine revelation. Love can see us through all situation. Do you love God?