QUESTIONING OUR LOVE

1 Cor. 13:1-7, “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.   Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” 

“At the conclusion of the preceding chapter the apostle promised to show the Corinthians a more excellent way than that in which they were now proceeding. They were so distracted with contentions, divided by parties, and envious of each other’s gifts, that unity was nearly destroyed. This was a full proof that love to God and man was wanting; and that without this, their numerous gifts and other graces were nothing in the eyes of God” (Adam Clarke).

I. WHAT IF?

“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 used by Paul to place emphasis on the ability of the angels and men to communicate the gospel message. The phrase is a hyperbole. Paul used this in a similar fashion in Galatians 1:8 when he states, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Gal. 1:8).

It will also place emphasis on the miraculous gift of speaking in tongues, the ability to speak every language like angels.

There are many examples of angels appearing to different men with different nationalities, and speaking to them. Cornelius would be one example in Acts 10:3. He was a Roman soldier, and an Italian. Most probably the angel would had spoken either Greek or Italian.

  “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.” 

What If One Had the Gift of Prophecy? 2 Pet. 1:20, 21, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” A prophet could be lost by his lack of love (Jonah).

What If One Understood All the Mysteries? 1 Cor. 2:7, 8, “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” What If One Understood All the Mysteries?

What If One Had All Knowledge? 1 Cor 12:8, “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit.”  The wisdom of Solomon led him to his demise. What is the use of having such knowledge with no love for others? What If One Had All Knowledge?

What If I Had All Faith? Paul alludes to the Lord’s statement to His apostles that if they had the faith of a mustard seed they would be able to remove mountains (Matt. 17:20).

What If I Give of My Means & I Am Willing To Sacrifice? “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.”   What If I Give of My Means & I Am Willing To Sacrifice?

II. WHAT IS?

1) Charity Endures Charity suffereth long

Rom. 8:17, 18, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

2. Charity is Kind The word used here denotes to be good-natured, gentle, tender, affectionate. Prov. 19:22, “The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.” Prov. 31:26, “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”

3. Charity Has No Envy charity envieth not This word properly means to be “zealous” for or against any person or thing; that is, to be eager for, or anxious for or against anyone. 3. Charity Has No Envy

It was envy that moved the brothers of Joseph to sell him into slavery (Acts 7:8). It motivated Saul to seek the destruction of David (1 Sam. 18:30- 19:24). Jas. 4:2, “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.”

4) Charity Does Not Boast About Itself. charity vaunteth not itself This spirit proceeds from the idea of “superiority” over others; and is connected with a feeling of contempt or disregard for them.

5) Charity is Not Puffed Up! This word means to blow, to puff, to paint; then to inflate with pride, and vanity, and self-esteem. 1 Cor. 8:1, “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.”  5) Charity is Not Puffed Up!

6) Charity Does Not Behave Unseemly 1 Cor. 7:36, “But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.” 

By using either unbecoming words, or doing indecent actions; for a man unprincipled with this grace will be careful that no filthy and corrupt communication proceed out of his mouth, which may offend pious ears; and that he uses no ridiculous and ludicrous gestures, which may expose himself and grieve the saints.

7) Charity Is Not Selfish “There is, perhaps, not a more striking or important expression in the New Testament than this; or one that more beautifully sets forth the nature and power of that love which is produced by true religion. Its evident meaning is, that it is not selfish; it does not seek its own happiness exclusively or mainly; it does not seek its own happiness to the injury of others” (Albert Barnes).

8) Charity is Not Easily Provoked This word occurs in the New Testament only in one other place. Acts 17:16, “His spirit was stirred within him when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.” Charity will never be angry without a cause, and will endeavour to confine the passions within proper limits, that they may not exceed the measure that is just, either in degree or duration (Matthew Henry). 8) Charity is Not Easily Provoked

9) Charity Thinks No Evil Charity is not vengeful. It means that love, or that a person under the influence of love, is not malicious, censorious, disposed to find fault, or to impute improper motives to others. Mark 7:2, “And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.” 9) Charity Thinks No Evil

10) Charity Does Not Rejoice Over Sin “Rejoiceth not in inquity” He mourns over his own iniquities, the corruption of his heart, the infirmities of his life, his secret sins, which none know but God and his own soul. This is noted in Genesis 18 when Abraham pleads for Sodom & Gomorrah. 10) Charity Does Not Rejoice Over Sin

11) Charity Rejoices in the Truth but rejoiceth in the truth The word “truth” here stands opposed to “iniquity,” and means virtue, piety, goodness. It does not rejoice in the “vices,” but in the “virtues” of others. Phil. 1:8, “What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” 11) Charity Rejoices in the Truth

Phil. 1:8, “What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.”

12) Charity Bears, Believes, Hopes, and Endures “Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”  All things that are good, holy, and acceptable to God.

HOPE 1 Cor. 15:19, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” 2 Cor. 1:7, “And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.”

The Question is, DO I HAVE IT?