& love

GodSpeak for the Week of December 22

We finish our Advent season considering the meanings of the Advent candles on the wreath. This week, we consider the meaning of…love – based on Paul’s famous discussion of it in 1 Corinthians 12 & 13.

Day 1…Read 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:1

• Consider this – if we were to translate this passage literally from its original Greek, it would read something like this: “Now burn with zeal for the greater gifts.  And yet I will show you the most excellent way beyond measure.”
  • By “gifts,” Paul is specifically referring to (literally) “extraordinary powers” which distinguish Christians and allow them to serve the Church.
• Answer this – why is “love” (which Paul will go on to talk about) the “extraordinary gift” God has given us?
  • How do we/how can we “burn with zeal” for the “greater gifts” Paul will talk about?  What do we need to do this?

Day 2…Read 1 Corinthians 13:4

• Consider this – Paul says here that love is: patient, kind and does not envy.
  • The “patience” to which Paul refers – literally means to: a) bear the offenses/injuries of others; b) be slow in avenging them; c) be slow to punish them
  • The “kindness” Paul mentions means to – show oneself to be mild
  • The “jealousness” we are to avoid literally means to – burn with hatred and anger (FYI – it’s the same word and mirror image of the word translated “earnestly” in 12:31!)
• Answer this – how do each of these qualities contribute to a spirit of “love”?
  • Which of these traits do you already embody well?  Which are more difficult for you?

Day 3…Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

• Consider this – Paul says here that love: does not boast, is not proud and does not dishonor.
  • The “boasting” to which Paul refers – is pretty much a straight-across translation from Greek; it means self-display and a hunger for personal glory.
  • The “pride” to which Paul refers – literally conveys the idea of something that swells, is blown-up or inflated.
  • The “dishonor” we are to avoid means to – prepare disgrace for or act in an unbecoming kind of way.
• Answer this – how do each of these qualities contribute to a spirit of “love”?
  • Which of these traits do you already embody well?  Which are more difficult for you?

Day 4…Read 1 Corinthians 13:5

• Consider this – Paul says here that love: is not self-seeking, is not angered and does not keep record of wrongs.
  • “self-seeking” – has the exact same meaning in English as it does in Greek
  • “angered” – is much the same, with an emphasis on being irritated/provoked
  • “keep record” – the distinction Paul is trying to convey, here – has to do with a fact versus a presumption.
    • If I have a dollar bill in my pocket, that’s a fact; I’m not just presuming I have money somewhere.
    • Therefore, the “wrongs” Paul is warning against keeping a record of are those we have actually experienced (vs. perceived slights).
• Answer this – how do each of these qualities contribute to a spirit of “love”?
  • Which of these traits do you already embody well?  Which are more difficult for you?

Day 5…Read 1 Corinthians 13:6

• Consider this – Paul says here that love does not “delight in evil” but “rejoices in the truth.”
  • “evil” – specifically has to do here with having an unrighteous heart or living an unrighteous life
  • “truth” – here, is “THE Truth” (i.e., what is true in any circumstance) [as opposed to “opinion” which our world today often refers to as “my truth”]
• Answer this – how do each of these qualities contribute to a spirit of “love”?
  • Which of these traits do you already embody well?  Which are more difficult for you?

Day 6…Read 1 Corinthians 13:7-8

• Consider this – Paul says here that love always: protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres.  Love, he says, never fails.
  • “protects” – here, Paul is trying to convey the idea of something covering over something else in order to protect it
  • “trusts” – is the same from Greek to English
  • “hopes” – specifically, Paul is referring to the person patiently waiting for salvation in a spirit of joy and absolute confidence
  • “persevere” – here, Paul is trying to convey the idea of bravely and calmly dealing with difficultly; the opposite for Paul would be to flee.
• Answer this – how do each of these qualities contribute to a spirit of “love”?
  • Which of these traits do you already embody well?  Which are more difficult for you?
• Consider this – regarding love never “failing” – Paul is saying that love will never come to an end, disappear, or stop.
• Answer this – in light of Christmas this week, how has “love” never “failed”?