August 31, 2021 – 1 Corinthians 11-13

Chapter 11 is an interesting chapter. Paul writes about head coverings when praying, about husbands and wives, and about the Lord’s Supper. He gets all that in. I suppose the big take-away is that we should conduct ourselves, in all things, properly and in ways pleasing to the One who has made us. That is, we are to aim for God’s approval, not that of the world.

In the next two chapters, Paul writes about spiritual gifts and explains, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (12:7). He desires “that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together" (12:25,26). As members of a church, we are all in this together. Paul is setting the stage for chapter 13; oh, such an important chapter! Chapter 13 is so rich and so powerful and so clear, just beautiful, needing little comment. I think it’s good just to read the chapter and spend some time thinking about what Paul has written. I hope you’ll do it.

Love is kind, and suffers long,

love is meek, and thinks no wrong,

love than death itself more strong;

therefore give us love.

Prophecy will fade away,

melting in the light of day;

love will ever with us stay;

therefore give us love.

Faith will vanish into sight;

hope be emptied in delight;

love in heaven will shine more bright;

therefore give us love.

Faith and hope and love we see

joining hand in hand agree;

but the greatest of the three,

and the best, is love. -- Christopher Wordsworth (1862)