Wednesday 15 September 2010
- Bible Book:
- 1 Corinthians
"Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part." (13:8-9)
Background
The Corinthian church community was a mixed bag. Some found itreally hard to let go of their supposed high social status andtried to import those ideas into the new Christian fellowship.Others discovered spectacular and sometimes noisy "gifts of theSpirit" (see 1 Corinthians 12:1-11) and in the way they usedthose gifts they found, or invented, their own version of highstatus. The later verses of this chapter talk about 'knowledge' -one of the special gifts of the Spirit. Paul, the writer of thisletter, was concerned at the way some of the Corinthians werepriding themselves on their greater (secret) knowledge. He pointedout that all our knowledge is provisional.
For instance... here is a newcomer in our fellowship (or into ourcircle of friends). Here is someone who has experienced a call topreach, or to fill some representative role in church life. Wedecide, perhaps on the basis of their dress, or their appearance,their speech or their manner, whether or not they are OK. Are werelying upon some supposed 'knowledge', insight, or intuition?Perhaps we should remember that we know only in part.
Paul's response to this uncomfortable situation in Corinth is todeclare the supremacy of love as being the greatest of the Spirit'sgifts. While the Corinthians may pursue others, the one they shouldcovet most is love.
This remarkable chapter seems to be inextricably linked withweddings. But surely it establishes a model for all humanrelationships, whether they are intimate (as in marriage) or moredistant (as in fellow citizens).
To Ponder
How do you tend to 'sum up' other people?
How does your personal summing up affect the wayyou deal with people?