1 Corinthians chapter 13

vs 1

You will notice here that Paul talks of the 'tongues of men and angels', but of course uses the same word glossa as when talking about the gfits of the spirit. Everyone knows what the tongues of men are - but what are these tongues of angels? Is this what glossolalia is? Who knows. I would say the more happy-clappy among us would say yes, or perhaps theologically would claim that this was a good description even if it isn't for speaking to angels per se.

The point being, of course, that to exercise this gift without love means you just make a lot of noise. I've certainly known a lot of people who do that.

vs 2

Even the gifts of prophecy and enormous faith are nothing without love. This doesn't mean that you don't have these things - but it makes them worthless as far as the Christian life is concerned.

vs 3

And such sacrifices that we might think were worthy of great honour are worthless if they are not made out of love. When Jesus told the rich young ruler to give up everything he had, if he didn't do it out of love, then was he not getting the message? Hard to say, as I think Jesus is making a different point. But I think the two could go together.

vs 4

Now we start on the famous "Love is..." part of 1 Corinthians. While these might be great definitions of love, remember the context - Paul is talking about the members of the body of a church serving one another. I don't think there's a problem with applying this stuff about love to any relationship you have, but Paul uses it about the relationships in the church, and so obviously that is one place where it is needed most.

Most of the words Paul uses to describe love are pretty self explanitory. I'll pick up a couple though.

vs 5

It keeps no record of wrongs - in a perfect world and in the perfect church, if someone did something that should rightly disqualify them from some service (say they stole money, and they were the treasurer) you would not keep a record of that wrong against them - instead, you would expect them to take the Christian initiative of disqualifying themselves. Of course, being supportive of that person making the right spiritual decision is a course of love, I think.

vs 6

Another stab at those who are preaching false doctrine. Love in this case is a constant pursuit after the truth, for the benefit of your other churchmates.

vs 7

Always trusts uses the word pisteuo, which most usually designates faith in God by the believer. I don't think it is loving to treat everyone without any suspicion, especially if they have a 'record of wrongs' (see above). If someone is going to hurt themselves or others because of something you give them in trust, it's not a loving thing to give it to them. Instead, I would say that perfect love always trusts God. I think that is what Paul means in this verse.

vs 8

In the end, our love will always fail, because we are not perfect. But God is perfect, and God is love, and God never fails.

Now as for the rest of this passage, don't make the critically erroneous mistake of thinking this verse is talking somehow about the appearance of the Bible. This idea only came up about 100 or so years ago - and it was a branch of theology that was specifically against the charismatic church movement. When they saw this verse, they decided to interpret it to mean that prophecies and tongues stopped when the Bible appeared - as if Paul is prophesying the appearance of the Bible.

It's a completely wrong and stupid interpretation, as you will see when you look at the rest of the passage. It's obviously talking about the second coming and us being in heaven.

vs 9-10

Is the Bible perfection? Come on, I mean yes it's God's word, and I will happily argue for its infallibility, but Paul is talking about the final perfection, surely. Yes, I agree that prophecy is only partly useful, when you compare it to knowing God personally in heaven for all eternity. But remember that a good percentage of the Bible is made up of prophecy ;)

vs 11

This verse is talking about the passing away of the imperfect (the childish understanding) and the ascension of the perfect (the mature understanding). We will never be more than children here on earth, when you compare it to the maturity of eternal life and perfection.

vs 12

This verse is the killer against the argument made in verse 8. Do we see face to face now? No, we have a reflection in a mirror even through the Bible. Do we know everything in full? If so, then please explain a few things to me. Is Paul saying that upon writing this letter he is partly ignorant, but upon the completion of the canon of Scripture he suddenly became all knowing? Give me a break.

vs 13

I think the greatest of these is love not because it accomplishes more, but because it is the one we share with God. He doesn't need hope or faith - he's God. But he is love. That's just my opinion, even though it doesn't really bear out in this verse. I certainly don't think Paul is saying that you can dispense with faith and hope, as both are needed for your Christian walk. Perhaps if you've got all three, you only need the other two in sparse amounts, but you'll need a whole bunch of love to deal with other church members :D