& love

Rev. Andrew Prin
December 22, 2019

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”?

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