We continue our study of First and Second Corinthians. At the end of chapter 12, the beloved Apostle shows how God has given certain offices and gifts to the assembly in order that it might be blessed. These gifts include apostles, though by the end of the first century A.D. apostles no longer existed in the Church. However, many of the other gifts listed, such as prophets and teachers, still exist today for the blessing of the body of Christ.
The carnal Corinthian believers, however, were so used to showing off their gifts that Paul ends chapter 12 by pointing to something that was even better than these gifts: divine love. In the early verses of chapter 13 Paul points out how useless all other gifts and talents are if they are not used with divine love.
Chapter 13:48 are perhaps some of the best-known and most often quoted verses in the Word of God. They are a lovely, divine description of that love which the Lord Jesus Christ has for His Church, and as such sets a perfect pattern for each member of His body to follow in our love for one another.
All of the gifts, such as prophecy, will have an end when we are united with Christ in glory. But divine love will never have an end and we will dwell in its sunshine with our Lord Jesus forever. That is why love is the greatest of the three - “faith, hope and love.”
1. In what relationship is “love” first mentioned in the Word of God?
Genesis 22:___
2. In what relationship is “love” mentioned the second time in the Word of God? Genesis 24:___
3. Who is it that places divine love in the believer’s heart? Romans 5:___
4. How is it that a believer can have assurance that he has passed from death to life? 1 John 3:___
5. What is it possible for a believer to “know,” though it passes knowledge?
Ephesians 3:___