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1 Corinthians
Chapter 13

Theme: Love . . . the energy of the gifts
This chapter is rightly called the love chapter of the Bible. Many have attempted to give an exposition of it, but truthfully, it is most difficult to do.
Paul uses the word charity throughout this chapter, instead of love. I really think that it should be love. The Latin translation, and Wycliffe's English translation used the word charity, and this word was carried over into the King James Version. The Greek word is agape, which is properly translated love.

There is NO definition of love in this chapter. Sometimes definitions are damaging. To try to define or explain love would seriously defile this chapter. Can anyone really define a rose? You can read the description of a rose that botanists gives, but that definition simply does NOT give me a picture of a rose, as I know a rose to be. What about a sunset? Can anyone describe a sunset for you? Chapter 13 gives to us a DISPLAY of love, NOT a definition.

There are three words in the Greek language which are all translated by our one word love. The first is the word eros. That is the word for passion, the word used for lust. It is used of Aphrodite and Eros, or Venus and Cupid as we more commonly know them. Sex would be our word for it today. This word does NOT occur in the New Testament.
The second is the word phileo, which means "affection." We find that root in our words Philadelphia and philanthropist. It is brotherly love. It means human love at its highest, a noble love.
The third word agapao is the highest word for love in the New Testament and means "divine love." It is more than love in the feelings; it is love in the will. It is love that chooses its object. It is in reality, LOVE is a definition of God, for God is love (1 Jn.4:8,16).

For a brief outline of the chapter.
The preeminence of love . . . its value (verses 1-3)
The prerogative of love . . . its virtue (verses 4-7)
The permanence of love . . . its victory (verses 8-13)

We must not forget that this chapter follows the exact same thought in chapter 12, which was the endowment of spiritual gifts. Chapter 13 tells of the energy of the gifts. ALL the gifts of the Spirit are to be exercised in love.

Preeminence of Love, Its Value (1 Cor. 13:1-3)

1 Cor. 13:1  Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (KJV)

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal . . . Paul had promised, at the close of chapter 12, to show them a more excellent way than gifts, or a better course than that they were so hotly pursuing, in the rivalry of the best gifts. He now shows them that way, and that way is love. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels . . . of all men, all languages that men speak anywhere. I think the tongues of angels might mean eloquence. I really think what Paul means here is that even the most marvelous eloquence without love is nothing in the world but a loud, clanging bell. You can sing like an angel, BUT without love, it is nothing but the crackle of Hell. Love gives meaning, depth and reality, and it makes eloquence meaningful. Remember that this chapter continues the subject started in chapter 12, the gifts of the Spirit. 

1 Cor. 13:2  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. (KJV)

And though I have the gift of prophecy . . . I think this means bringing forth the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the salvation of souls.
And understand all mysteries . . . the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, the mysterious doctrines of the Gospel; such as the Trinity of Persons in the Godhead, the incarnation of Christ, the unity of His two natures, human and divine, in Him, eternal predestination, the doctrines of regeneration, justification, satisfaction and the resurrection of the dead . . .  
And all knowledge . . . of natural things, as Solomon had; of the heavens, and the stars, of the earth and sea, and all things therein, and the perfections of the nature of Christ, His Person and offices, of the Gospel, and the doctrines of it.
And though I have all faith . . .  not true, special, saving faith, or the faith in Christ, which brings salvation to us. Saving faith: http://www.godcannotlie.org/saving_faith.htm All faith . . . it seems here that the faith of miracles is meant, both of believing and doing all sorts of miracles, Paul mentions one . . .
So that I could remove mountains . . . (Mat.17:20), Jesus there lets us see the power of faith, and the weakness of unbelief. The literal Promise of working miracles by a Divine power was given to the apostles, and was a specific promise made ONLY to the apostles (Mat.10:1-42). I think that we can take the Saviour's words to extend a little further, as to miraculous operations that only applied to them. There is NOTHING which God has promised to give or bestow on anyone that faith will obtain from Him, IF attended by fervent prayer, fasting and faith. I think this may be understood symbolically (Rev.8:8), for doing very difficult and wonderful, and almost incredible things in our daily lives, such as removing difficulties in a civil and political sense, as well as in a religious one.
I am nothing . . . BUT . . . IF a man were ever able to do such great things, IF he does NOT have charity, love to God, love to Christ and love to His people, he is nothing at all. Paul says this of himself, supposing it were his own case. He would still be a man of gifts; for Paul does NOT say that his gifts were nothing, that the gift of prophecy was nothing, or the gift of understanding mysteries nothing, or the gift of knowledge nothing, or the gift of doing miracles nothing . . . for ALL these gifts are something, and exceptionally great things . . . it was the man in whom the grace of love is lacking, who is nothing himself . . . he is nothing in the eyes of God, of no respect with Him; he is nothing as a believer in Christ, nor nothing as a Christian.
A TRUE Christian CANNOT be without love to God or Christ, or to his people, no matter how great their gift is or how much faith a person has. Without love they are NOTHING!

1 Cor. 13:3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. (KJV)

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing . . . this kind of love is an act of the will. Love involves the heart (verse 1), the mind (verse 2), and the will (verse 3). Love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal.5:22-23). Although we are to covet earnestly the best gifts (1 Cor.12:31), they are to be exercised in love . . . and ONLY the Spirit of God can do that (Rom.8:9). Eloquence (fine speaking) alone is nothing, prophecy alone is nothing, knowledge alone is nothing, faith alone is nothing, sacrifice alone is nothing, and martyrdom alone is nothing. The best gifts are nothing if not exercised in LOVE! Love is something that MUST be added to every gift of the Spirit. Without LOVE your gift is worthless, no matter how great it is!
And though I give my body to be burned . . . it seems possible that Paul here considers the martyrdom of future Christians, and by a prophetic spirit looks forward to future times, when burning men's bodies for religion would be done. Burning at the stake was usually the method used.  See: Inquisition:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inquisition

1 Cor. 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, (KJV)

Charity suffereth long . . . charity is unprompted, divine love. It is more eternal than gifts.
Love suffers long means it is patient and kind. Love is in NO way possible without compassion and kindness. Love without kindness would be like springtime without a single beautiful flower, after a long, cold winter of hard-packed snow. Love is like fire without heat when you are freezing. Eph. 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (KJV)  
Charity envieth not . . . love does NOT envy, means that love is content with where God has placed you. Life is filled with all types of people, rich and poor, servants and masters. A TRUE Christian will not say: "Why did God give that man with so much wealth and not give me any?" Love knows that there are inequalities, and love is satisfied with its lot in life. We must remember that the very first murder, when Cain slew Abel, was provoked by envy (Gen.4:5-8).
An example of a man who loved another man without envy is Jonathan. Although he was the crown prince, he did not envy David, even though he knew that David would occupy the throne in his place (1 Sam.18:4; 19:2; 20:4).
Charity vaunteth not itself . . . love does not flaunt itself, makes no big spectacle of itself. It is not boastful or brazen. There is a rudeness and vulgarity about boasting.
Is not puffed up . . . love is not puffed up means it is not inflated. What you see is what you get! What happens when we are going down the road in our car, then suddenly we have a flat tire? There is a lot of flat tires among Christians because there are so many who are puffed up. When the air is gone, there is nothing left! A TRUE Christian should NOT be swelled up with pride, and elated with a vain self-importance of himself, of his gifts and abilities, of his learning, eloquence, wisdom and knowledge, as the false teachers in this church were. Knowledge without grace is puffed up; but the grace of love edifies and preserves persons from being puffed up with themselves, or one against another.

Nine parts of Divine love:
#1. Patience . . . love is passive; it is in no hurry; it suffers long; tolerates, believes, hopes, and endures all things (1 Cor.13:4,7)
#2. Kindness . . . love never acts rashly or rudely; is never inconsistent, puffed up, or proud (1 Cor.13:4)
#3. Generous . . . love is not envious or jealous (1 Cor.13:4)
#4. Humble . . . love is meek, no arrogance, no airs, no puffed-up me, me, me (1 Cor.13:4)
#5. Courteous . . . love does not behave unseemly; is always polite; at home with all classes; never rude or discourteous (1 Cor.13:5)
#6. Unselfish . . . love is never selfish, sour or unpleasant; seeks only good of others; does not strike back or seek revenge (1 Cor.13:5)
#7. Good disposition . . . love is not hot tempered, never irritated; never resentful (1 Cor.13:5)
#8. Righteous . . . love hates sin, is never glad when others go wrong; always happy by goodness to others, always eager to believe the best; always hopeful and enduring (1 Cor.13:6-7)
#9. Sincere . . . love is never boastful and conceited; is not a hypocrite; always honest; leaves no impression except what is strictly true; never self-assertive; does not scream out in passionate anger, nor brood over wrongs; always just, joyful, and truthful, knows how to be silent; full of trust; always present.

The Prerogative of Love . . . its Virtue (1 Cor.13:4-7)

1 Cor. 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; (KJV)

Doth not behave itself unseemly . . . love does not act strange. It is true that in the Bible, Jews are called a peculiar people (Deut.14:2; 26:18); and believers are called a peculiar people in (Tit.2:14; 1 Pet.2:9). I think peculiar means chosen, and holy unto God, a people for His possession. TRUE Christians are to exercise courtesy and kindness, are not to be rude, are not to act weird. We are to be polite and kind.
Seeketh not her own . . . but seeks the things of God, and what will do the most for His honor and glory. We should seek the things of Christ that are related to the spread of His Gospel, and the growth of His Kingdom. We should also seek the temporal and spiritual welfare of the saints, and not just look only on things of our own. True love considers the feelings of others!
Is not easily provoked . . . to wrath, but gives place to it, such as one is provoked at sin, at immorality and idolatry, as Paul's spirit was stirred up or provoked, when he saw the superstition of the city of Athens (Acts 17:22-23). Love does not have a bad temper. Being provoked is the sin of the righteous. I'm afraid it is the sin of many of us.
Thinketh no evil . . . love thinks no evil. How very sad, to see people thrive on gossip or slander! There are some supposed Christians who ladle up dirt like they would a bowl of soup!  
Evil thoughts that are in a man's heart, are hateful, abominable and grieving to those who are partakers of the grace of God, and they should desire to be delivered from them. A person who is possessed of this grace of love does not think of the evil that is done him by another; for he forgives, as God has forgiven him, so as to forget the injury done him, and remembers it no more. A TRUE Christian should not consider revenge, or devise mischief, and contrive evil against man that has done evil to him, as Esau did against his brother Jacob (Gen. 27:41-45).
We should freely and fully forgive, as God does, when He forgives sin. We are not to keep the evil done to us in our mind and heart, but forgive. NOT easy to do! We are NOT to indulge evil conclusions, and groundless jealousies, for to do so is contrary to the grace of love.

1 Cor. 13:6  Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; (KJV)

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth . . . no TRUE Christian should ever rejoice in his own sin . . . nor the sin of others. Just the opposite, we should grieve for sin. Mat. 5:4  Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. (KJV) . . . Godly love does NOT rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. What is it that brings joy to your heart? If you hear something bad about someone who is your enemy or whom you do not like, do you rejoice? If so, that is wrong! It should make us sad to see anyone suffer, even our enemy! This is what Paul is trying to get across to the Corinthians and us! Again, NOT easy to do!!!

1 Cor. 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. (KJV)

Beareth all things . . . love bears the burdens of fellow Christians without yammering, for that fulfils the law of Christ. Gal. 6:2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (KJV) . . . The law of Christ is the law of love and it covers all things, even a multitude of sins, as charity is said to do (1 Pet.4:8-10).
Believeth all things . . . things that should be believed, all that God says in His Holy Word, all His truths, and all His Promises; and even sometimes hope against hope, as Abraham did, relying upon the power, faithfulness and other perfections of God (Ga.3:6). We must be careful NOT to believe every spirit, every preacher and every teacher (1 Jn.4:1-3). We are only to believe those who agree with the Truth of the Bible. We are NOT to believe every word of man (Mat.15:9), which is the character of a weak and foolish man. A TRUE Christian is willing to believe all the good things of God but is unwilling to believe damnable heresies (2 Pet.2:1), and submit to commandments of men (Mat.15:9). The Holy Spirit is the One who is very capable to help us in these very important decisions.
Hopeth all things . . . love is optimism, hopefulness!  Love is the confident expectation that the good things of God await all His TRUE children! (Jn.14:2-3; Rom.5:6,8; Phil.1:6; 1 Pet. 1:3-5). 
Endureth all things . . . love remains strong through testing. Love is not like a couch potato. Love is to be translated into life and action. Love expresses itself in action through patience, through kindness, with no envy, with no boasting or arrogance!

The Permanence of Love . . . its Victory (1 Cor. 8-13)

1 Cor. 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (KJV)

Charity never faileth . . . love NEVER fails. That is why at the conclusion of this chapter it says, "Now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." Love abides FOR EVER! It is permanent. Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote: Love looks beyond the bounds of time and space, Love takes eternity in its embrace.
Godly love cannot die; cannot be defeated; is never disillusioned or disappointed. Godly love is eternal. It is permanent. God's love is that kind of love. Man’s carnal, sensual love is NOT permanent. That is why there are so many divorces. See our booklet: God’s Kind of Love: http://www.godcannotlie.org/booklet_god's_kind_of_love.htm
But whether there be prophecies, they shall fail . . . predictions of future events shall not fail in their accomplishment, but in that they shall be no more, because they will all be fulfilled. The gifts of explaining the prophecies of the Old Testament, and of preaching the doctrines of the Gospel, will be no more, because there will be no need of them in a state of perfection. All will have been fulfilled. They will then be history, not prophecy.
Whether there be tongues they shall cease . . . Paul clearly states that tongues are going to stop. I believe that the only place in today’s world for tongues (languages) is singing praises to our blessed Redeemer . . . in words that EVERYONE can understand . . . NOT that demonic mumbo-jumbo of the so-called Charismatic churches. It is thought by some, there will be only one language in the Kingdom of God, that being the Hebrew language. It will be just as the whole earth was before the confusion at Babel (Gen 11:9), one language, one speech. I do not know. But it really does not matter to me. I will be happy with whatever the Lord has planned!
Whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away . . . knowledge will vanish away. I simply am amazed at how much things have changed just in my life time. The science of today will be replaced by the science of tomorrow. Knowledge is progressive . . . it moves on! What is here today, will be gone tomorrow. It vanishes away.

1 Cor. 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. (KJV)

For we know in part, and we prophesy in part . . . this means only in part, or imperfectly. Our knowledge here on Earth is imperfect and murky (1 Cor.8:2). This idea of the obscurity and imperfection of our earthly knowledge, is compared with Heaven (verse 11), by comparing it with the knowledge which a child has, compared with that in mature years (verse 12). The knowledge which we have now is like looking through an imperfect glass. And we prophesy in part . . . this does not mean that we only partly know the truths of religion, and partly guess at them, or that we know only a part of them, and guess the remainder. Paul is showing the imperfection of the prophetic gift as compared to love. He tells us that there is the same imperfection which attends knowledge.

1 Cor. 13:10  But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. (KJV)

But when that which is perfect is come . . . when anything which is perfect is seen or enjoyed, then that which is imperfect is forgotten, laid aside, or vanishes. Perfect knowledge of God, of Christ and of the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven shall take place, not in this life, but in that which is to come.
And then that which is in part, shall be done away . . . the imperfection (deficiency, lack, insufficiency) of knowledge shall be removed. Paul explains that the end and failing of knowledge and prophecy; NOT that knowledge itself will be no more, and a state of ignorance and darkness take its place . . . but that the imperfect knowledge of this world will vanish away, or will be perfected. The imperfection of knowledge and prophecy will disappear; in that it will be no more taught and received in part, because the whole of God’s Truth will be clearly known.

1 Cor. 13:11  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (KJV)

When I was a child I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things . . . Paul compares the state of believers in this life, compared with their state in the life to come. He compares the state of a child, to that of a man. When one is a child, he does not know things perfectly, and he speaks of things in the style and according to how much knowledge the child has; but when he is grown, he speaks of things at another level, according to the degree of knowledge which he has acquired by the instruction of others, or his own experience and observation. My friend that is how it is with all of us! In this life on Earth, we are like children. We have a reduced and imperfect knowledge of spiritual things, and accordingly speak of them . . . but when we get to Heaven, we shall know them in a perfect way and be able to speak of them in a perfect manner. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (KJV)  
Three things a man puts away:
#1. Speaking like a child
#2. Understanding like a child
#3. Thinking like a child

There will be no need of stumbling around in ignorance with our partial knowledge when we shall have super-knowledge and complete and perfect insight into eternal things in Heaven.
Thank You Jesus!

1 Cor. 13:12  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (KJV)

For now we see through a glass, darkly . . . Paul pursues his former theme, comparing the imperfect state of believers, as to knowledge in this life, with what shall be in the life that is to come. In this present life on Earth, those who are enlightened by the Spirit of God, see the perfections and glory of God and His nature, see the riches of his grace (Eph.1:7; 2:7), and His goodness (Ps.107:8,15,21,31; Zec.9:17; Rom.2:4; 11:22; 2 Thes.1:11), that are displayed in Christ, for these people behold the glory of Christ, as full of grace and truth (Jn.1:14), and they are filled with love to Him . . . but it is all through a glass, darkly, for although the invisible things of God (Rom.1:20), may in some respect be seen and understood by the things that are made; and God, as the God of nature, may be seen in the works of creation and providence (1 Cor.2:10; 2 Cor.5:18) . . . it is only in His Son, and through the glass of the Gospel, that anyone is able to SEE the Truth, whereas in eternity, we will walk side by side with our precious Redeemer and SEE everything perfectly!    
But then face to face . . . there will be no need of any helps for our vision in Heaven. God the Father and Christ Jesus the Son, will be seen precisely as they are! And the judgments of God, and His preordained exemptions, all will be made clear, and we will be able to see without the help of a glass. The doctrines of grace and truth (The Gospel) will lie open and clear, free of all dark words, unclear indications, or mysterious terms. We will be able to get answers to our questions, Face to face with the Greatest Teacher Who has ever lived!
Now I know in part . . . even though Paul’s knowledge in the mystery of Christ was such, as had not ever been given to any in past generations; and even though he had been caught up into the third heaven (2 Cor.12:2), and had heard words not lawful to be uttered, yet he tells us that his knowledge in the present state was imperfect. Maybe Paul says this to bring down those who held too high an opinion of themselves, and also to those who think they shall reach perfection in this life on Earth.
But then shall I know, even as I am known . . . Paul says that in the other world, the other state, he would know God the Father, God the Son, the holy angels, the glorified saints and ALL God’s Truths in a perfect manner . . . just as he was known of God and Christ perfectly. I think Paul means that he would have as full and complete a knowledge of persons and things as he was capable of, and it would be like, although not equal to, the knowledge which God had of him; and which knowledge would be attended with the strongest love and affection to the objects known, even as he was known and loved of God.

The gift of speaking in tongues was very brief. And it was NOT unknown tongues, because that term is NOT in the Bible! I truly do believe that the gift of tongues was for the baby church only. You have every right to disagree with me. On Judgment Day, we will find out WHO was right.
Even the supernatural knowledge, granted as a spiritual gift, was temporary. All these were only granted while the church was in its baby state.
When Paul spoke of "full understanding," he was referring to when we will see Christ Face to face. God gives believers spiritual gifts for their lives here on Earth in order to build up, serve, and strengthen fellow Christians. The spiritual gifts are for the church. In eternity, we will be made perfect and complete and we shall be in the very Presence of Almighty God. We will no longer need the spiritual gifts, so they will come to an end. Then, we will have a full understanding and appreciation for one another as unique expressions of God's infinite creativity. I think then, that we will use our differences as a great reason to praise God! Based on that viewpoint, let us NOW treat each other with the same love, kindness, respect and unity that we will one day share in Heaven.

1 Cor. 13:13  And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. (KJV)

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three . . . these wonderful principals of grace: faith, hope and love . . . are gifts of the Spirit of God! Faith here is to be understood, not as a faith of miracles, for that kind of faith does NOT abide. Faith is the gift of God, and is the work of God, and the operation of His Spirit!
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (KJV)
For by grace are ye saved . . . grace is the free favor (kindness) of God (Eph.2:5). Even the Ephesians (Gentiles), who did not have such Promises made to them as did the Jews had (Eph.2:12), are saved, from your calling to your glorification (verses 5-6).
For by grace are ye saved . . . we are saved by God’s kindness and mercy, NOT by our own merit, and certainly NOT because we have any claim on it. This is a favorite doctrine of Paul, as it is with everyone who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity (Rom.1:7; 3:24; Eph.6:24).
Through faith . . . God’s grace is bestowed on us through our faith, in connection with believing (Rom.1:17; 4:17).
And that not of yourselves . . . salvation NEVER proceeds from yourself or anything that you do or could do. True faith is the gift of God. It exists in the mind only when the Holy Spirit produces it there, and is, in common with every other Christian blessing, traced to His activity on the heart. God justifies the believer, not for the value of his belief, but for the value of Him (Jesus) in whom he believes. The start of faith, as well as the increase of faith, is from the Holy Spirit of God, by an internal enlightenment in the soul. However "faith" comes by the means which man must benefit himself of, that is, hearing the word of God (Rom.10:17), and prayer (Lk.11:13), even though the blessing is completely of God (1 Cor.3:6-7).
It is the gift of God . . . salvation by grace is God’s gift to us. It is NEVER of merit; it is exclusively by God’s favor. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV)
*****Hope . . . is the second principal of grace. Hope is NOT “I hope so.” It is confident assurance of what you expect, shall happen! Phil.1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (KJV)
Read commentary on Phil.1:6: Thirty-five Conditions of Assurance We Can Learn . . . IF we stand firm in the Faith.  http://www.godcannotlie.org/phil_ch1.htm

Romans 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? (KJV)
We are saved by the hope of what Jesus did on the cross for us, and our faith in Him. And now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this amazing freedom that will one day be ours. It was because of hope of eternal life (Tit.1:2; 3:7) that we were saved; but if we see what we hope for, then it is not really hope. Which one of us hopes for something we see and already have? But, we CANNOT see eternal life in Heaven, yet we know we have it, because the Bible tells us so (John 5:24; 6:47), and we can dare, in boldness, to hope for it, and that new redeemed body that is promised to us! Hope is confident expectation! We CAN know that we are going to Heaven, because the Bible tells us so! (Jn.20:31; 1 Jn.5:10-13). BELIEVE!!!
*****Love . . . but the greatest of these is charity (love). Paul wrote that love endures forever. In morally corrupt Corinth, love had become a very mixed-up term with little meaning, and my dear friend, that goes for today as well! People are very confused about love. Godly love is the greatest of all human qualities and is an attribute of Almighty God Himself (1 Jn.4:8). Love involves unselfish service to others. Faith is the foundation and content of God's message; hope is the attitude and focus; love is the action. When faith and hope are in line as they should be, you are free to love completely, because you understand how God loves us. Does your faith fully express itself in loving others?

Nine different parts of Divine love:
#1. Patience . . . love is passive; it is in no hurry; it suffers long; tolerates, believes, hopes, and endures all things (1 Cor.13:4,7)
#2. Kindness . . . love never acts rashly or rudely; is never inconsistent, puffed up, or proud (1 Cor.13:4)
#3. Generous . . . love is not envious or jealous (1 Cor.13:4)
#4. Humble . . . love is meek, no arrogance, no airs, no puffed-up me, me, me (1 Cor.13:4)
#5. Courteous . . . love does not behave unseemly; is always polite; at home with all classes; never rude or discourteous (1 Cor.13:5)
#6. Unselfish . . . love is never selfish, sour or unpleasant; seeks only good of others; does not strike back or seek revenge (1 Cor.13:5)
#7. Good disposition . . . love is not hot tempered, never irritated; never resentful (1 Cor.13:5)
#8. Righteous . . . love hates sin, is never glad when others go wrong; always happy by goodness to others, always eager to believe the best; always hopeful and enduring (1 Cor.13:6-7)
#9. Sincere . . . love is never boastful and conceited; is not a hypocrite; always honest; leaves no impression except what is strictly true; never self-assertive; does not scream out in passionate anger, nor brood over wrongs; always just, joyful, and truthful, knows how to be silent; full of trust; always present.

Three things a man puts away:
#1. Speaking like a child
#2. Understanding like a child
#3. Thinking like a child

TONGUES

Charisma  is found 17 times in the Greek New Testament. It is translated 15 times “gifts” and “free gift” 2 times.
Glossa is found 50 times in the New Testament and is translated 50 times “tongues”.
UNKNOWN tongues is found seven times in the Bible (1 Cor.14:2,4,12,13,14,19,27). In Chapter 14 the italicized word "unknown" does NOT appear in the Greek text, as with all italicized words found in the King James Translation. 

Three Examples of Tongues in the Bible

If you would listen to the people in the tongues movement, you would think that there were many places of speaking in tongues. BUT . . . there are only 3 examples of God giving people power to speak in a language they did not know.

#1. Jerusalem, on the Day of Pentecost, in Acts 2. NONE but the Galileans were given this gift. Tongues served TWO purposes that day. (a) A sign to the Jews (who seek after a sign 1 Cor.1:22). (b) To communicate with and evangelize the foreign born Jews who were at Jerusalem for the feast.

#2. Three years late at the house of Cornelius (Acts 10:34-48). Cornelius was an unsaved Italian Gentile who was a centurion in the Roman army. Peter was sent to tell him how to be saved (Acts 11:14). When he preached the Gospel to Cornelius and his household, they believed and were saved. Acts 10:45-46 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46  For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, (KJV)  . . . They did NOT pray for or ask for the gift of tongues. They probably did not even know what the gift was.
This represents the giving of the Spirit to the Gentiles, as He was given to the Jews at Pentecost. The tongues was a sign to the 7 Jews who were present (Acts 10:45-46; 11:12). They returned to the Jerusalem church and testified to the Jews about what God had done among the Gentiles. No doubt there was a number of different languages that day as there were at Pentecost.

#3. Twenty two Years later at Ephesus (Acts 19:1-7). Twelve men in Ephesus claimed to be
disciples of Christ and to have received the baptism of John the Baptist. Paul asked them: Acts 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? They were sincere but ignorant of John’s teaching and answered: We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. Had they known about John’s preaching, they would have known about both the Holy Spirit and Jesus (Jn.1:26-34). Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. (KJV)

WHY are Tongues NOT mentioned anywhere else? Only two Books in the New Testament mention the gift of tongues, Acts and 1 Corinthians. It seems probable to me that IF tongues were to continue, that ALL the Books of the Bible would mention them.

IF tongues today is unscriptural, WHY is there so much emphasis on the subject? I think there may be four possibilities:
#1. Divine, which I think is ruled out.
#2. Satanic.
#3. Psychological.
#4. Bogus, phony.
I believe it is one of the last 3.

WHERE do Tongues Flourish Today?

#1. Where the Bible is not taught or understood.
#2. Where people seek visions and feelings instead of the Truth of the Bible.
#3. In today’s modern churches, where people are exposed to cold, dead preaching.
#4. Where fundamental Gospel Truth has become cold and dead.
#5. Among lost souls seeking a religious experience, which most times ends up being the WRONG kind of religion.

There is absolutely NO need for anyone to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
1 Cor. 6:19-20 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (KJV)  
1 Cor. 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. (KJV) Romans 8:9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (KJV)  
Titus 3:5-6 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; (KJV)  

***** BEWARE!!! *****

2 Cor. 11:13-15 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (KJV)  
1 Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (KJV)  
1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (KJV)  
Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. (KJV)  

1 Corinthians

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