Sermon Tone Analysis

*1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:3…* And I will show you the most excellent way.

13:1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.

*Commentary*

            The Corinthians spoke in tongues – languages they had not learned – by the power of the Holy Spirit.

But at the same time they also allowed illicit sexual activity, greed, idolatry, and divisions in their midst.

They also had the gift of wisdom but devalued the true wisdom of Christ crucified – a wisdom Paul says is above all worldly wisdom.

They sought glory for themselves, an inferior glory, but Paul sets out to show them “the most excellent way” through love.

In 13:1 Paul speaks of someone speaking in the “tongues of men and of angels” but not having love.

Tongues (Greek /glossa/) refers to legitimate translatable languages.

I myself am currently writing in English, my “mother tongue.”

The term “tongues” can easily be rendered “languages” throughout the Bible, and it would avoid much confusion.

In speaking of the “tongues of men” Paul is simply referring to the many dialects of mankind.

In the context Paul says that if someone could speak ten different languages, a very impressive ability, but didn’t have love, then his~/her ability would be worthless.

But he also mentions “the tongues of angels” – another phrase that has brought about great confusion.

To be sure, there is nothing in the Bible about a special angelic language spoken by angels.

On the contrary, each time an angel appears in scripture to speak to a human the angel speaks the dialect of the one he is speaking to.

What Paul is saying in relation to angels is this: if one were to have the ability to speak with the fluency and proficiency of an angel, or even the greatest of orators among men, he would be nothing more than a “noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” if he~/she did so without love.

It is interesting to note that first-century pagans worshipped their gods (Dionysus & Cybele) with gongs and cymbals – something the Corinthians must have fully understood.

In other words, without love in a worship gathering where the Spiritual gifts are being exercised, their worship gatherings amounted to no more than the pagan worship of Dionysus and Cybele.

In v. 2 Paul speaks of having the gift of prophecy, the most superior of the spiritual gifts in Paul’s mind.

If one received revelation from God and spoke God’s words but did not have love for the people he spoke to… If he had the ability discern the “mysteries” of God (refers to God’s once hidden secrets revealed through the apostles and prophets)… if he had the deepest knowledge (representing the greatest of human wisdom)… if he had faith so strong that he could uproot a mountain – a figure of speech representing the ability to surmount great obstacles (Matt.

17:20)… but he did not have love he would be “nothing!”

Yea, even if he were to give all he owned to the poor and sacrifice his body in fire, without love it would amount to a hill of beans.

*Food for Thought*

            Imagine Deion Sanders all decked out in his football garb standing in the end-zone celebrating a touchdown without the football in his hands.

That’s the image of a pathetic Christian without love as their motive for ministry.

The bottom line for Christians is that if we don’t act in love our gifts are as worthless as a superior athlete celebrating a touchdown without the ball!

Love is a verb.

God’s love in the Bible has little to do with sentiment and everything to do with action.

Without it your life is worthless and so are your efforts to gain God’s favor.

*1 Corinthians 13:4…* Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous...

 

*Commentary*

            There are a handful of Greek words used for the English “love.”

The Greek “eros” is associated with sexual love.

That particular Greek term is not found in the New Testament.

The two Greek forms of “love” in the NT are philia (friendship~/brotherly love) and agapē (referring to self-giving love that is more concerned with giving than receiving).

Agapē love is one of the rarest words used in ancient Greek literature but one of the most common words in the NT – mainly because the NT teaches God’s love.

It isn’t a word used to describe sentimentality or warm-fuzzy love that comes and goes, and it has nothing to do with romantic feelings and infatuation.

Agapē gape love is a verb.

Mankind “falls” in love; God chooses to love.

In vv.

4-7 agapē love is described in 15 different ways.

Though English translations bring this out in the form of adjectives that describe love, the Greek text uses verbs to describe love, and why not?

After all, love is a verb.

In v. 4 the first two descriptions of agapē love are positive attributes: “patience” and “kindness.”

Patient love, literally “long-tempered” love, is a term in the NT used almost exclusively in relation to being patient with people as opposed to situations.

It’s about remaining calm and non-retaliatory when wronged.

The Greeks believed just the opposite.

Only the weak endured insults.

Aristotle taught that retaliation, as opposed to patience when wronged, was the true virtue.

Consider Abraham Lincoln.

When reviled by Edwin Stanton as a clown and a gorilla Lincoln never retaliated.

However, when Lincoln needed a secretary of war he chose Stanton “because he was the best man.”

When Lincoln died Stanton announced through his tears, “There lies the greatest ruler of men the world has ever seen.”

Stanton’s hatred for Lincoln dissolved through Lincoln’s long-suffering patience and refusal to retaliate.

Love is also described positively as “kind.”

Whereas patience endures ridicule from others, kindness gives to others.

Patience takes while kindness gives.

Kindness is about doing good to others even when they do us wrong.

This is the essence of what Christ commanded his disciples.

Since true love isn’t a feeling (for who can feel love toward one’s enemies?), it is an act of compassion despite harsh feelings.

Kindness gives to the one who steals (Matt.

5:40-41).

It goes to extreme lengths to serve and look after the welfare of friends, family – even our enemies.

Next Paul lists eight characteristics that are NOT descriptive of true love.

First, “love is not jealous” for they are mutually exclusive.

Akin to envy, jealousy has two facets.

First, it wants what someone else has because it’s not satisfied with what it has.

Second, it desires for others to not have what they have, and it evolves into desiring evil for another.

Jealousy was the first sin (Eve’s jealousy of God), and it permeates all sin.

Cain was jealous of Abel, Joseph’s brothers jealous of him, Saul jealous of David, etc. True love for another is never jealous of him~/her.

*Food for Thought*

            Saul’s son Jonathon is a great example of love.

Though heir to the throne in Israel he knew that David was God’s anointed.

He sacrificed not only his throne for David but his life too (1 Sam.

20).

His patience was manifested in his refusal to retaliate against David.

His kindness was exhibited in his willingness to give his life for him.

And his lack of jealousy was manifested in his refusal to seek his own justice.

On the contrary, he was proud, happy, and filled with admiration for David.

He had every reason to disdain him, but Jonathon’s love for David was real.

Is there someone you’re jealous of today?

Is there someone you would love to “give a piece of your mind” to because they wronged you?

That’s not love.

Your thoughts are reprehensible.

True love acts kindly toward those we dislike, and it never retaliates after being unfairly treated.

*1 Corinthians 13:4-5...* Love does not boast and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked...

 

*Commentary*

            The characteristics of love continue in v. 4. Love “does not boast.”

Boasting is about calling attention to oneself.

It’s about parading one’s achievements and possessions so as to exalt oneself.

Boasting is about talking with conceit.

Whereas jealousy is about desiring what someone else has, boasting attempts to engage jealousy through conceit.

It’s no wonder Paul listed this feature to the Corinthians who were proud of their many gifts.

They were showy, striving for attention, and continually seeking their own gain.

C.S. Lewis called boasting “the utmost evil.”

There is only one topic truly worth talking about: Jesus Christ.

When mankind continually desires to speak of himself, he shows that love does not dwell within him.

Love is not “arrogant.”

This word has to do with being filled with air – puffy.

It is very much akin to boasting, but whereas boasting is about one or more persons telling or showing others how great they are, arrogance is more of an attitude.