1 Corinthians 13: 8-13 Outline

As mentioned earlier, these chapters can seem like a random placement within the context. However, at a closer look it appears these chapters were not a random thought, but intentionally placed. In chapter 12, Paul discusses spiritual gifts. Through this information on spiritual gifts he goes on to explain how the members of the church are like a body. Each member is different, but each plays a crucial part in order for the body to function properly. This example seems quite appropriate in light of all the divisions the church was experiencing. Chapter 12 ends with Paul saying, “And I will show you still a more excellent way,” referring to love. He then addresses this subject in the following chapter. Paul emphasizes that everything addressed, such as prophecy, speaking in tongues, and knowledge will pass away, but love remains. If the Corinthians put into practice the characteristics of love that Paul gives, their problems would likely lesson or subside. Love, as defined by Paul, has the capability of carrying the Corinthian church through its

Putting pen to paper, Paul pleas with the Corinthians to better themselves through Christ Jesus. While in discourse with the Corinthians, the polemic language of Paul becomes, at times, difficult to digest. While pursuing a better relationship with the believers in Corinth, the apostle often used terms such as ‘we,’ ‘our,’ and ‘us.’ These pronouns can be understood in multiple ways; however, the manner in which they are comprehended sheds light on Paul’s agenda. In the analysis of 2 Corinthians 4: 8-18, the pronouns are best understood as being inclusive in terms of Paul, his followers, and the believers in Corinth.

Paul starts out this verse strongly with the word “pursue” and “earnestly” showing the importance he is putting on pursuing the spiritual gifts. He stresses the importance though of the gift

Paul’s letter to the Romans can be broken down into four major sections. Within each of these sections there is a single compelling issue. Within the context of these respective issues, several interpretive questions can be answered through the interpretative process. These answers help us to understand how to apply the spiritual principals to our lives, as well as, help us compel other individuals to apply these spiritual principles within their lives.

In this passage of the second letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses several concerns. He is addressing the situation of a man who has sinned not only against himself, but against the Corinthian Church as well. He explains why he wrote a letter rather than bringing sorrow upon them. Paul is sensitive to the Lord’s leading, and in love, writes to the church encouraging them to discipline this man in love for the purpose of restoring him. He urges the Corinthians to be obedient and love the man through forgiving and encouraging him. Paul shares with them his trust in the Lord for the outcome of this matter and how burdened he was for restoration to take place. He warns them of the need to not allow Satan a foothold through this

E. Harrison (p. 275) summarizes the message of the Epistle in these words: The greatest single overall emphasis seems to be on the unity of the local church as the body of Christ, which is brought out not only in connection with the discussion of the groups (i.e.; the factions within the church), but also in relation to the Lord’s Supper and spiritual gifts. A corollary is the sanctity of the church as members of Christ, both corporately and individually, (note, especially, such passages as 1 Cor. 3:16-17 and 6:15-20.) We may add, it is in this Epistle that the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul most eloquently sets forth the supremacy of love as “the most excellent way,” which the Christian is called to follow (1 Cor. 12:31b-13:13

By him not playing with the toys and reading a book as we waited, was his behavior of love towards me. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, Paul speaks of love as being, patient, kind. Then he goes on to say, “love is not jealous or boastful or proud, or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no records of being wronged. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every situation” (New Living Translation). Then Paul reminds us after he goes mentions behaviors as, having the ability to speak all languages of earth and angels (verse 1), and had the gift to prophecy, had the full secrets of God, and had the faith to move mountains (verse 2), given everything he had to the poor and sacrificing his body (verse 3), that without the love, these behaviors are useless. Therefore, according to Paul, love of others needs to be the reason for are choice of behavior.

Wright points out a sharp contrast between Paul and Aristotle when he writes, ““When ‘the perfect’ comes, then ‘the partial’ will be abolished.” Some of Paul’s hearers might have detected echoes of Aristotle, for whom “perfection,” to teleion, was the goal” (181). Wright believes that in Paul’s view, there was an undeniable connection between love and the ultimate telos. He points out that Paul specifically says the miraculous gifts like tongues, prophecy, and mountain moving faith are worthless without love (185).

This paper will examine the books of Corinthians and the universal truth of love in the New Testament. Corinthians One and Two were written to the church at Corinth and deal with the need to recognize and put sin out of our lives.(Corinthians)

Among the multitudinous biblical references to love, the most comprehensive and decisive assessment of true love comes in St. Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. He begins by stating that despite all of his faith and gifts from God, "if I have no love, I am nothing." (I Cor. 13:2) Clearly, Paul recognizes the importance of love. He goes on to define love in very explicit terms, telling both what love is and what it is not. Paul begins, "Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs." (I Cor. 13:4-5) The Apostle continues with the declaration that "love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth." (I Cor. 13:6) Recall here the biblical prohibition of cross-dressing (Deut. 22:5) and lying (Deut. 5:20) Disguise and deceit are far from the truth that makes love happy. The exhortation continues:

Corinthians thirteen, perhaps one of Paul’s most memorable passages that is quoted often, explores the characteristic of love (181). The characteristics associated with love are not a natural human reaction, since we can easily be jealous, prideful and/or boastful… This is one of the reasons as to why love is a virtue. Love is to be learned like a melody on an instrument or a new language (182). Love anticipates; we can anticipate our future in the present through loving those around us (182).

When looking at the 1 Cor. Passage, it is important to realize that Paul’s letters are occasional, they were meant for a specific audience. In this case, the Christians in Corinth were taking other Christians to court. Court cases in this context were extremely public, something

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 is part of a larger literary unit that deals with unholy conduct. It begins in 5:1 and ends at 6:20 and is discernible by an antithetical inclusio: 5:1-13 sexual immorality and 6:12-20 glorifying God in your body. 6:1-11 is the mid-section, a sub unit that deals with lawsuits between believers. In 6:9-11 Paul weaves in the wrongdoing and rightful judgement of it from Chapter 5. This is evident in the repetition of all of the items of 5:11 in the catalogue of 6:9-10. This list builds upon the listed items in 5:11 which builds upon 5:10. 6:11 acts as a lead in to the opposite end of the inclusio of 6:12-20 - being washed, sanctified and justified in the name of Jesus is what makes the body the temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, Paul exhorts the Corinthians to at the

Paul continues to instruct Christians in how they should live. He begins by stating that Christians should respect and honor the governing authorities because they have been appointed by God. Also, Paul commands us to love one another. As he explains, all of the other commandments will be fulfilled by loving our neighbor. Therefore, “love is the fulfilling of the law” (13:10). Finally, Paul urges Christians to live in preparation for the day that Christ returns. Constantly fighting sin, we must put on the mindset and character of Jesus Christ, in preparation for that day.

As with most other Pauline attributed documents, 1 Corinthians is believed to be a single document that addresses salient topics and rationalizes Paul’s view of faithfulness to Christ with Corinth citizens. The newly founded church of Corinth was in correspondence with Paul requesting his answers to questions they posed on topics ranging from marriage to the resurrection of the dead; the latter being one of the most highlighted in 1 Corinthians. Paul’s assurance of resurrection illustrates a concern for Corinth as he admonishes their disbelief in resurrection of the dead with a series of explanations as to why such doubt would render the faith of Christ “in vain”. Given the context of the time, Paul’s correspondence with Corinth clearly