1 Corninthians 13 - Love Never Fails...

Some of you may be familiar with this beautiful verse from the New Testament. The number of profound messages in this verse are manifold. 1 Corinthians 13 is a verse used at many weddings and may be the greatest love verse in the Bible. It puts so many of today's religious teachings into context. The 1 COR 13 text shown below is from the King James Version Bible. The word 'charity' is used here. Other Bible translations use the word 'love'. We will show the word 'charity' below the text.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these charity.

The word here for 'charity' is AGAPE n. f. Greek word number 26 from word 25. It was translated as love 86 times, charity 27 times, dear 1 time, charitably + 2596, and feast of charity 1 time.

I could expound on all of the different messages here but the one I want to focus on has to do with the motives and and the heart. There are many eloquent speakers, prophets, evangelists and teachers out there but this verse brings all things into perspective. It's not about religion... It's about love! It's not about doctrines, laws, or writings - it's about love.

In my life the greatest person I have ever know was my mother. She had a very difficult life but always believed in God's goodness and always gave!  My mom loved and never failed to lift the spirits of everyone she came in contact with. You will never read about her being named a saint even though to God she is much more than that. She gave with no expectation of recognition, applause, thanks, or outward reward; she did it because she loved. Her name meant the life giving light, and she was!

The world today is not in need of more religion. It is in need of what this verse talks about - it (love, charity) rejoices with the truth. We need truth... and we need real love... not outward shows of religiosity. God is searching for people who dare to love and who dare to change the world with it.

Are you one of them?

Author: Bible New - 639

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