The apostle had just written, “Covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.” A way of more surpassing excellency, is the way of love. Charity in the Scriptures means fervent love.
The gifts bestowed on the Corinthian assembly (Chap. 2:3-5) had failed by their use of them, and did not bring edification to the hearers (14:26). They displayed self, and lacked in love that sought the good of the members of the body, and it was not ministry from Christ in glory in the power of the Holy Spirit. Of all the assemblies, they seem to be the most unspiritual (1 Cor. 3:33For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (1 Corinthians 3:3); Eph. 4:1616From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:16)).
The gifts were given from Christ in glory (Eph. 4:8-128Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (Ephesians 4:8‑12)) “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” They should have been channels of blessing flowing from the glorified Head. In this they failed, and the apostle seeks to recall them to their right use.
In this chapter he uses himself as an illustration. 1 Corinthians 2:3-53And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. 4And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:3‑5) shows it was not what he had done. The love of Christ for His dear members filled the apostle’s heart, so that all he ministered to them, was in love and in the power of the Holy Ghost, and in faithfulness to the assembly as a whole, telling them of what grace had done for them, and would still do for them unto the end, counting on the faithfulness of God to find them blameless in the day of Jesus Christ (1:2-9).
Verse 1. “If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love (love in its activity), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling (clanging) cymbal.” Fine oratory, beautiful or amusing speeches are but wind and noise that pass away without benefit to the hearer, and, but rather hurt the mind by that which may be true, but misapplied. Truth that does not exercise the conscience, and engage the heart does not help the believer to walk with God.
Verse 2. “And though I have prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.” All is cold and dead without love—the love of Christ to His members. Thank God, He loves every one of them, though He knows all our faults. He seeks to meet us all in love. What need there is then for us to ponder His love, that we might be channels of blessing to all His own as we find opportunity.
Verse 3. Doing good to the poor, even sacrificing myself in any way for a cause, without this love, is to no profit.
Verses 4, 5. We now learn how this love acts—it suffers long (has long patience), is kind. The apostle knew well how to be a gentle nurse cherishing her children, and as a loving father to them, exhorting, comforting and testifying to them how to please God (1 Thess. 2:7, 11, 127But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: (1 Thessalonians 2:7)
11As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 12That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:11‑12)). Love envies not. Like Moses when he said to Joshua, “Enviest thou for my sake? Would God that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them!” So Paul welcomed every true laborer for Christ (1 Thess. 5:12, 1312And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. (1 Thessalonians 5:12‑13)). John made a mistake in this (Mark 9:38-4038And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. 39But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 40For he that is not against us is on our part. (Mark 9:38‑40)). We need to advance, and love directs us to seek what advances the interests of Christ without regard to ourselves. Again, love is not insolent, or rash, or puffed up, nor does it behave in an unseemly manner, seeketh not its own, and is not easily provoked, nor does it impute evil, by thinking it, before it is proved.
Verses 6, 7. Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things; that is, all things with the truth. This is all seen perfectly in our blessed Lord, and in the life we have in Him. Wonderful it is to find this love flowing in our hearts for each other, and so it is as we ponder His love to all His own. His love never fails. He is our priest for our weakness; our advocate, if any man sin. “Having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end.” Fellowship with Him keeps us from being accusers of God’s people—that is Satan’s work.
Verses 8-12. Love never fails). Prophesy has failed except to explain and apply the Word of God which is now complete (2 Tim. 3:16, 1716All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16‑17)). Tongues are needed no longer as signs to the unconverted, they have ceased. Knowledge also vanishes away, outside of the knowledge of God and of His Son our Lord Jesus Christ. For now we know but in part, and cannot view the whole design of God at once, only in part or parts. When the Lord comes, how different it will be. Then we shall be perfected in His glory, and all that is imperfect in and about us will have passed away. The child gives place to the man, then childish words, thoughts and understanding disappear. So now our dim vision of the Lord, and of His purposes which we only know and speak of in part or parts, will give place to being with the Lord and seeing Him face to face. Then at His side we will be able to see the length and breadth, the depth and height of all His wondrous purposes and glory, and will know without a cloud, His full, unbounded love, and be filled then unto all the fullness of God. We shall know even as we are known.
Verse 13. And now abideth faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love. The time will soon come,
“When faith and hope shall cease
And love abide alone,
Then shall we see Him face to face,
And know as known.
Still shall we lift the voice,
His praise our song shall be;
And we shall in His love rejoice
Who set us free.”