Love is Not Self-Seeking
As we begin, let’s look at the content in which Paul was explaining to the Corinthians. Paul explains that the Corinthians have many abilities. The Corinthians, much like many today, were self-seeking. They were very flesh in the actions they would take, and would seek glory for themselves. It is important to note that we remember in Galatians 5:22 the first fruit of the spirit is love. When we have love in our life, the other spiritual gifts will follow, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Paul defends this statement in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. 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. 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. 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.
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.
1 Corinthians 13:3
This is a very strong statement from Paul. It is a reality that we as believers all have spiritual gifts. Having spiritual gifts, however, does not guarantee that you are winning in the spiritual fights of life. A minister who may be a gifted speaker, without love, is not fulfilling the initial calling to which he has. With that in mind, the minister may speak, but it would fall on deaf ears because of the lack of love.
The context to which we are to serve, either in our ministry, home, family, job, or church is to be surrounded by love. The translators of the King James Bible used the word charity from Paul’s translation. The word used by Paul here is “agape.” Agape means affection, goodwill, and benevolence. Quick Bible fact is this usage of the translation of the words first makes its appearance as a current term in the Song of Solomon. Agape (Greek: ἀγάπη) is a purely Biblical and ecclesiastical word.
God Gave Us Agape
Our God is mighty in the fact that he gave us such a rich word for love. This is not a word used in the romantic term as we stated in the introduction. Agape is selfless love. The greatest gift ever given by anyone is agape that Jesus gave on the cross for our sins. Jesus said in John 15, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Agape is sacrificial, not the fuzzy feeling you get from a date, or maybe eating pizza, that’s just indigestion.
Paul states in verse one that languages without agape is nothing. Songs written, kind words stated, none are of effect as a gift without love. “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.” This is hypothetical. Paul is basically stating to the Corinthians, you say you have love, but it is truly not there.
It is important to note that the word tongues translated to Greek is “languages.” ON the day of Pentecost the Spirit came, and those in the room spoke with tongues. The holy spirit gave the believers the ability to speak with tongues because there were devout Jews in the land who spoke different languages. Without love, this would not be possible. Even those who were there asked the question in Acts 2:7, “And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?”
All the men in the surrounding area were astonished that they heard these rednecks speak in their own language. This was not ramblings or babbling. The words were recognized. What does this have to do with love? Agape love made this possible. It was not high degrees or deep education. The power of agape encompassed these men and the fruit of the spirits burst through water through a busted dam.
All is Nothing without Love
Paul continues to expand on not just words but on the ability to take action. In verse two he states, “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.” Knowledge and actions from it will be nothing without love.
Someone can have great scholarly degrees in Old and New Testament studies, and can pronounce Hebrew and Greek much better than I can, but does not have love, it is worthless. Even the ability to have enough faith that you can move a mountain, which is not an easy task, would be of no use if you do not have agape. Jesus stated in Matthew 17: “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Without love, this faith is of no use.
“If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
Matthew 17:20
Paul continues in verse 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.” Someone who donates money, but does it with the wrong attention, is of no use. I want to pause here and look at the word “feed.” The word in Greek is ψωμίσω which means a little bite.
The phrase used here is to say that someone takes all the money they have, buys food, and feeds people one bite at a time. It is not simply mailing a check to some group who buys food, but more an act by the individual person. The way Paul is transcribing this, the person being spoken of is doing each individual action themselves, not giving the money so that someone else can do the task. Yet Paul is clear that this action is of no use without love.
Jesus Teaching on Agape
Jesus taught on this exact subject. In Matthew 12 we read, “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all, they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”
The widow gave out of agape. Paul continues to tell us that even martyrdom without agape does absolutely no good. The person who would do these acts and not do them out of love is wasting their time. Again, it is important to remember that agape love is the root of all spiritual fruits and gifts. A Christian should first understand that love is what motivates us, drives us, and pushes us to serve others and teach them about the ultimate example of love Jesus Christ.
I want to leave you this week with a quote. J Vernon McGee said, “When a man and a woman give themselves to each other in an act of marital love, they can know the love of Christ as no one else can know it.” Any action in a marriage not done in love, even spending money, or big talk is of no use without love. However, when love is present, marriage is a gift that keeps on giving.
Please be sure to write a review for our podcast, join us for a new week to continue this study in God’s word, and may God richly bless you in the love of Jesus Christ.
More episodes from 7 Ironclad Christian Characteristics
- Reverent: 7 Ironclad Christian Characteristics | Episode 26
- Strength: 7 Ironclad Christian Characteristics | Episode 25
- Servant: 7 Ironclad Christian Characteristics | Episode 24
- Repentance: 7 Ironclad Christian Characteristics | Episode 23
- Love: 7 Ironclad Christian Characteristics | Episode 22
