[LIVING IN LOVE SERIES] 1 CORINTHIANS 13: 8-13
THE PERMANENCE OF LOVE
Following the elaboration of the preeminence of the love (vv. 1-3) and the elements of the love (vv. 4-7), chapter 13 concludes with a discussion of The Permanence of Love. Love lasts. Throughout all eternity love will never end.
Many of the Corinthians had their focus on the wrong things. They were overly concerned about the temporary and had little concern about the permanent and eternal. Every right-thinking Christian will want to build his/her life upon the permanent and the preeminent. The gifts of the Spirit are temporary. Even when compared with the other two eternal virtues, faith and hope, love reigns supreme. Love is God’s gift of gifts. Love is the most excellent way of life (CIT).
I. GIFTS ARE TEMPORARY, 8-10.
II. GIFTS ARE ELEMENTARY, 11-12.
III. LOVE IS ETERNAL, 13.
Verse 8 begins to distinguish what is of eternal importance from what is of earthly importance. Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
“Love never fails.” Fails (from ðßðôù) has the basic meaning of falling, particularly that of a flower or leaf that falls to the ground never to get up but withers and decays. The word never refers to time not to frequency meaning that at no time will divine love ever fall, wither or decay. [Aren’t you grateful that this is the way God loves us?] Love, the only true motive for the exercise of these ‘gifts’, will ‘never fail’ but ‘endure’ throughout history into the coming age.
Divine love never drops out of existence. It was not designed and adapted as were spiritual gifts to the present state of existence, but for our future and immortal state of being. Love is permanent and will never be terminated, eliminated or abolished. Love is singled out as the supreme possession for a very remarkable reason, it lasts. Love never fails.
Paul then runs over a representative list of things important to spiritual Christian that are all fleeting, temporary, and passing away. He contrasts love’s permanence to the impermanence of three spiritual gifts: prophecy, tongues and knowledge. But if there are prophecies they will be done away. The great and needful gift of prophecy is the forth-telling of God’s Word.
To proclaim and interpret the Word of God. Some even proclaim the future. What blessing it is to speak in agreement with the very voice of God. Yet all the prophecies of the Word of God have either been or will one day soon be fulfilled.
If tongues, they will cease. The Corinthians had given tongues, the least of the gifts, a special significance just like some do today with the unbiblical claim that you must speak in tongues to be saved, equating tongue speaking with salvation. But tongues will cease themselves (Greek reflexive if middle voice or be ceased if passive voice). Instead of tongues being the supreme gift it is a temporary one. Tongues of whatever kind, ecstatic or otherwise are not the language of heaven.
If there is knowledge, it will be done away. Knowledge was another prized gift. Yet even a schoolboy today has more knowledge of science than Sir Isaac Newton. Newton’s knowledge has passed away. Buy an old edition of the great encyclopedias for a few cents and you will find their knowledge has passed away and been superseded. The carriage done away by steam. Look how electricity swept hundreds of inventions into the dark. Look at the scrap yards and see the pride of scientific knowledge of just 20 years ago. Though it is seen far better with scientific fact, much of what people have sustained as fact –like the earth having literal corners has passed also. Even the special secret knowledge some claim which gives them special privilege or ability or station - God will do away with them all.
All the charismatic gifts are divinely bestowed powers or endowments that enable the church to function as the body of Christ during this present age. They are not intended to go beyond it.
In verses 9 and 10 are the explanations for why earthly spiritual gifts will cease. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.
Paul’s first emphasis is the incompleteness of knowledge and prophecy. Those gifts mentioned are representative of all gifts indicating all spiritual gifts will one day be done away with. The word parts is plural and emphatic. Its meaning is a little here, a little there. At best, even the most gifted and wisest of us have a fragmentary understanding of God and Christ and the gospel. We know and can say so little concerning the conditions of life that are to come. Our preaching and knowledge give only glimpses of the heavenly reality.
Notice Paul says we including even the apostles. They too knew in part and prophesied in part. Scripture is full of references to the unfathomable and unsearchableness of God. [For example:1 Cor. 8:2, Job 11:7-9, 26:14, Ps. 40:5; Rom. 11:33-34, Isa 55:8-9.] Knowing Christ better was Paul’s supreme purpose and joy in life, yet even near the end of his life he insisted. “Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which I also was laid hold of by Christ Jesus (Phil 3:8,12).
Paul said that when the perfect comes the partial will be done away. In the ‘perfection’ of eternity, all that is ‘in part’ now will be ‘abolished’. The need and the opportunity for the exercise of these ‘gifts’, even the highest of them, will have passed. Even prophecy and knowledge lift only a corner of the veil which covers the plan of God and its final accomplishment. When all mysteries are disclosed in the full light of heaven, what need have we of earthly glimpses?
Just what and when is the perfect (ôü ôÝëåéïí-the complete ultimate perfect, without defect when used of animals) that is to come? The perfect that is to come is the eternal heavenly state of believers. This allows for the continuation of knowledge and prophecy during the present, the tribulation and the millennial reign. (Kataregeo means to be abolished completely and finally). The point is that spiritual gifts are only for time but that love will last for all eternity. When we see Christ “face to face” we will be glorified, we will become like Him (Rev. 21:23; 1 Cor. 13:12).
“The eternal state began for Old Testament believers at the first resurrection, when they were raised to be with Him forever (Dan. 12:2). For Christians the eternal state begins either at death, when they go to be with the Lord, or at the rapture, when the Lord takes His own to be with Himself. For tribulation and millennial Kingdom saints it will occur at death or glorification.” [John MacArthur, NT Commentary. p.366]
II. GIFTS ARE ELEMENTARY (11-12).
The thought of development and transformation continues in verse 11. When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.
The young child (nepios) or baby (3:1) has indiscernible speech or speaking. He cries. He does not understand or think but reacts. Neither does he reason but he emotes. This was exactly how the Corinthians were reacting or responding. You expect a child to understand, reason and speak like a child but you also expect the child to mature and start thinking, reasoning and speaking like an adult. The day comes when he or she must put childish things away.
The adult stage is that of Christian love as one grows in the grace, knowledge and service of the Lord Jesus Christ. They will no longer feud, fight and fuss like children but will grow, develop, and build up others in Christian love. Children live in and for the temporary. Mature Christians live for the the eternal and permanent. Love endures and what it produces will endure.
Verse 12 contains a comparison of earthly understanding with heavenly understanding as we receive a glimpse into the future. for now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.
Notice the contrasting now, indicating our present earthly condition, and then indicating our heavenly state. In this present life, even with God’s Word and the illumination of His Spirit, we see in a mirror dimly.
In the ancient world, they didn’t have the clear glass mirrors we have today. In the polished metal mirrors of their time the reflection was dim and distorted. Their metal reflected blurred images. What was seen in a mirror was only an imperfect representation of what would be clear if it could be seen directly
The idea though is not simply a dim or blurred seeing of ourselves, but in the our present seeing of God and His spiritual values. The word dimly (enigma in Greek) indicates that our current spiritual perceptions in our earthly state are at best impaired.
Since I’ve been thirty-one I’ve had to wear glasses. Glasses helps with my natural degeneration or impairment of my eyes. Our spiritual vision is also impaired.
For now, our understanding is limited (1 Cor. 13:9). Our current spiritual vision is impaired. God’s plan and divine things are seen obscurely, indistinctly. But in eternity we will see clearly. Well see Jesus "face to face." When we enter into the Lord’s presence we will see Him as He is. Then instead of a blurred reflection of God we will stand before Him face to face-we will see the reality instead of our limited concept of God.
The Bible here uses the boldest conceivable parallel, identifying the knowledge which we will have of God with the perfect knowledge He has of us. Right now God knows us fully, then, in eternity, we will fully know or understand Him as He is. This suggests not only complete knowledge but perfect fellowship. Notice the switch to the first person singular “I.” This individualization emphasizes the personalness of this relationship knowledge. Each of us will have a distinct personal relationship and know His perfection and glory. We will see and know Him as perfect love. ‘This perfect’ will be the pristine vision of God, unspoiled by sin and unbelief. When ‘the perfect’ comes we shall know God as we have been known by God and we shall love God as we have been loved by God. An absolute, utter love for God. Hallelujah Amen!
Paul offers a glimpse into the future to give us hope that one day we will be complete when we see God face to face (1 Jn. 3:1-2). This truth should strengthen our faith–we don’t have all the answers now, but one day we will. Someday we will see Christ in person and be able to see with God’s perspective.
If you have questions about what God is doing in your life, continue to trust Him and to seek clarity through prayer and His Word. Now we see Jesus through the Bible, but in eternity will see Him face to face.
III. LOVE IS ETERNAL, 13.
Verse 13 sets before us all what will remain when the fullness of eternity begins. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.
Paul concludes this chapter by setting forth not simply the three greatest spiritual virtues, but the three virtues, faith, hope and love, the magnificent triad, abide eternally. At the end of the age the spiritual gifts will pass away. This passing has nothing to do with their loss of power but they will have fulfilled their reason for being. Only faith, hope and love will continue forever.
[THREE KINDS OF RADIATION] The exploding atoms in radium send out three different kinds of radiations, or rays. The positively charged alpha particles it sends out traveling up to l2,000 miles per second. The negatively charged beta rays electrons it sends out traveling almost at the speed of light. There and last there are the gamma rays, electro-magnetic rays which also travel nearly as fast as light.
How marvelous are these rays! But much more marvelous are faith, hope, and love which abide forever. Faith makes all things possible. Hope makes all things bright. Love makes all things light.
The passage closes by way of a comparative superlative. The Bible states that this agape, this love, is the greatest of all. Actually faith and hope are encompassed by love, which believes all things and hopes all things.
Faith presently concerns the authenticity and content of God’s message. It is the will to believe God’s truth is true even when we have not seen it with our natural eyes. Faith eternal is here seen as confidence in God. Faith is eternal because the trust and surrender that are the bases of our relationship with God is eternal.
Hope is the earnest expectation to the point of assurance that what we believe will be become reality. It concerns our attitude and focus. Expectancy in God will continue forever. Hope of an ever advancing and enlarging blessedness of the redeemed. [Charles Hodge, I & II Corinthians, 275]
Faith and hope are eternal because our relationship with God is living and dynamic and always will be growing. [Some exercises of faith and hope are limited to time while others will never cease.] Love though is more useful. Our faith will save us, but our love will benefit others and even lead them to salvation, for love moves us to action. So love is the greatest not only through out eternity but here and now in this earthly life. It is inherently greater because it is part of the nature, the very essence of God (1 Jn. 4:8). Love is the link God gives us with His eternal self.
Our best efforts-if bereft of love ring hollow and “profits us nothing” (13: 1-3). Yet the smallest loving act can hold eternal significance.
No matter our age or status in life, we all can strive to love others as God loves them. We may accomplish great things in our life-gain fame and fortune-but the greatest thing is to love. For of all that we have done, or ever will do, only what is done in love will endures through out eternity. We depart, but what is done in faith, hope and love will abide forever.
[And remember, change happens by inches, not miles! You didn’t get there overnight and others won’t either. Even when change seems simple, it’s rarely ever easy. The only way we can break old habits is to form new ones- and that takes time and practice - lots of it! You can’t
tell people something just once and expect them to get it. No, they need to hear it over and over before they can make the adjustment. And how you tell them, the look in your eyes and the tone of your voice, can determine whether they freeze in fear or soar above the obstacles. It can also determine the coping skills they hand off to their children. So this is no small matter.
Be persistent! Never give up trying to help them improve: Express gratitude for every step of progress they make. Flying off the handle doesn’t help them - or you. The way to get lasting results is through patience and love. Remember, "Love. . . always hopes, always perseveres. . . never fails.]
CONCLUSION
One day we will see the Lord face to face. On that day love will not be over for us, but just beginning. For when we see God we will become like Him, and God is love, pure, holy, undying love.
God wants us to become like Him even today, in this life. So He wants us to learn to love and especially to love the brethren (1 Jn. 4:12).
How many of you will join me in reading this chapter once a week for the next three months? Learning what true love is will help us learn to love. Get these ingredients into your life then everything that you do is eternal. It is worth our doing. It becomes worth giving time to. Through prayer, meditation and practice we can learn to love better. In the end any cost is worth it if it helps us exchange our character for His.
