v1-3: Paul picks three matters;

• tongues, which may have been a 'favourite' at Corinth;
• prophecy and knowledge, which would be esteemed highly in the Greek culture; and
• personal sacrifice, which marked Paul's own life.

Each one of these is useless without love. The implication is clear that the Corinthians had much to learn in this area.

‘I became aware that the love of God is more of a zigzag than a straight line. For the sake of others, love makes self-denying zigzags, displaying its power as it overcomes profound frustration.’ (Kosuke Koyama, Japanese theologian)

‘It is much easier to follow in the track of the heroic, than to remain true to Jesus in drab, mean streets.’ (Oswald Chambers)

'The eloquence of men, or even of angels, the gift of prophecy, the knowledge of all mysteries, the power to work miracles, the most extensive liberality to the poor, and even the suffering of martyrdom, are all insignificant and unprofitable without love.' (John Fawcett, Christ Precious)

v4-7: Paul lists characteristics of love, which we see evidenced perfectly in the life of Jesus Christ. Some words used here are not found elsewhere in the N.T., and some are not found in any previous writings, and some words are only found in Christian writings; Paul may have coined some words especially for this section. Further, we see these characteristics perfectly demonstrated in the Lord Jesus.

• Love is patient, or long-suffering; not passive complacency, but active and working; self-restraint, does not retaliate, does not punish quickly; the Lord Jesus was patient with the Twelve, continuing with them, even when they must have disappointed Him.
• Love is kind; relating to other people; love is not a private thing, it must be demonstrated to others. Jesus went about doing good.
• Love does not envy; no attitude of ill-will or malice or rivalry, rejoice that others have been blessed; envy wishes that another did not have something; even in His criticism of others the Lord Jesus did not envy.
• Love does not boast; this is to do with being self-centred, seeking personal glory and attention; in prophecy, we read, "no one will hear His voice in the streets." Whilst some drew attention to themselves (Matt 6.2), Jesus came to point others to the Father (John 4.34).
• Love is not proud, of 'puffed up' (Gk; 'bellows'), not arrogant or conceited; Jesus came to do the Father's will. Love is not concerned with making an impression, but in bringing blessing.
• Love is not rude; it does not behave rudely; it is courteous and considerate, such as Jesus at the grave of Lazarus, with tears and concern, not brash or boasting.
• Love is not self-seeking; love does not even consider its own rights and preferences and desires, and it does this without grumbling and bitterness; Christ did not please Himself, also Phil 2.6.
• Love is not easily angered, love is not provoked; no response to the criticism and mocking of others; when Christ was mocked He did not retaliate; 1 Pet 2.22-23.
• Love keeps no record of wrongs, or love thinks no evil; love does not impute false motives to others, it thinks well of others, and gives the benefit of the doubt; love forgives quickly; John 1.46-47.
• Love does not delight in evil, or iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; it prefers good to evil, truth to error; Christ shared the Father's absolute and perfect hatred of sin (Heb 1.9); we delight in the things of Christ, for they are truth; His incarnation, His life, His death and resurrection, the redemption that came through Him, and so much more. Such things are not just facts to be stated and believed (although they are) but facts to rejoice in with all our hearts.

v7: Love is a generous spirit, accepting others for what they are, and seeing good in them.

Love always protects, for there is nothing that love cannot face;

Love always trusts, for love never ceases to have faith;

Love always perseveres, love always continues for there is hope; and

Love never fails, for it cannot be defeated.

The immediate context here is the exercise of spiritual gifts, but these principles and standards must be maintained in all aspects of our lives, just as love characterised the life of Jesus Christ. Love is eternal, whilst gifts are for the strengthening of the church on earth (Eph 4.12-13); the very character of Christ will always continue.

These are valuable words in the context of rejection in the Church. David Devenish says; 'I sometimes encounter a level of cynicism about love, community and fellowship because of hurts, lack of friendship and breakdown of relationships that individuals may have expereinced in their church life. The scriptures tell us that love bears all things and believes all things' (Demolishing Strongholds)

v9-12: The life of imperfection.

v9: Our knowledge and prophecy, and everything we do, always falls short of perfection; we can never do everything that needs to be done, nor say everything that needs to be said, nor in the right way. What we do is neither complete nor perfect, the meaning of "in part"; we therefore need God's grace to overrule in our lives, and we need to show grace to others. At the same time, we recognise the need to grow and mature, and encourage others in the same way.

v10: One day the perfect will come, and the partial things of this life will be done away with, not 'made perfect'; such things will no longer be necessary. Service for Christ in Heaven will be quite different.

v11: Ordinary life illustrates what Paul is teaching. For each of us there is a gradual maturing and growth, but we must put away certain things; some things that were once appropriate may now not be. Love seeks maturity in me, and promotes maturity in others.

v12: A reference to Christ's return for His church (1 John 3.2). This interpretation seems to fit better with the understanding that spiritual gifts are for the building up of the church, and such gifts are always needed. Corinth was known for its mirrors, so the image here would be readily understood. However good a mirror, the reality is always better.

The word sometimes translated 'dimly' is literally 'enigmatically.' This implies a mystery, a lack of knowledge. We might like to know everything perfectly, or think we do - but we don't!

Two alternative views of these verses are mentioned;

Some hold that the "perfect" refers to the completion of the canon of the N.T., and is linked with the cessation of spiritual gifts.

Some hold that the "perfect" refers to the attainment of spiritual perfection, a higher level of Christian experience.

v13: Faith and hope and love are indispensable, and must characterise of live now.