1. The Greatest of These A Study of 1 Corinthians 13

2. Major Divisions of 1 Cor. 13 Prominence of Love - 13:1-3 Properties of Love - 13:4-7 Permanence of Love - 13:8-12 Preeminence of Love - 13:13

3. Prominence of Love 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 A loveless person Produces nothing of value (1) Is himself of no value (2) Receives nothing of value (3)

4. God’s Portrait of Love 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Suffers longIs kindDoes not envy Does not parade itselfIs not puffed up Does not behave rudelyDoes not seek its own Is not provokedThinks no evil Does not rejoice in iniquity Rejoices in the truth Bears all thingsBelieves all things Hopes all thingsEndures all things

5. Properties of Love 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love Suffers Long (Gk: macros = long, thumos = temper) God- Rom. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9 Christ - Luke 23:34 Stephen - Acts 7:60 Eph. 4:1-3; Col. 3:12-13 2 Tim. 4:2

6. Properties of Love 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is Kind

7. Properties of Love 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Longsuffering says, “I’ll take anything from my enemies.” Kindness says, “I’ll give anything to my enemies to meet their needs.”

8. Properties of Love 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Kindness: From Greek root word chrestos Same word used in Matt. 11:30 Useful to others, anything that helps Giving itself away to help another Synonym for grace Virtue of giving or acting for the good of another in an unselfish manner

9. Properties of Love 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is Kind (Gk: chrestos = fit for use, useful) God - Tit. 3:4-5 Should distinguish from gentleness Heb. 12:5-7 Prov. 19:18; 22:6,15; 23:13-14

10. Properties of Love 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 What would kindness do? Toward guests in our assemblies Toward people with whom we do business Toward the sick and those who have suffered loss Toward a brother or sister living immorally or drifting away from God

11. Properties of Love 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 What would kindness do? Toward a spouse in the midst of conflict Toward a child on a daily basis Toward a child who repeatedly ignores a parent’s orders Toward a brother or sister who is spreading false doctrine

12. Properties of Love 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is Not Envious (Gk: zelos from root = to boil) James 3:14-16 Cain & Abel – Gen. 4:1-8 Joseph’s brothers – Gen. 37:1f Song of Solomon 8:6

13. Properties of Love 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love Conquers Envy! 1 Samuel 20:1-42 – Jonathan & David When love sees someone powerful, successful, prosperous, popular, rich, beautiful, or gifted it is glad and rejoices for them.

14. Properties of Love 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love suffers long and is kind Love does not envy