📅 February 28: 1 Corinthians 12, 13 - Unveiling Spiritual Gifts and Love Agape

Daily Bible Readings February
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:date: February 28: 1 Corinthians 12, 13 - Unveiling Spiritual Gifts and Love Agape

:earth_africa: Introduction
Today, we delve into two powerful chapters in 1 Corinthians that teach us about the diversity of spiritual gifts and the highest virtue - Love.

:dove: 1 Corinthians 12: Spiritual Gifts & Body of Christ
In this chapter, Apostle Paul explains that while spiritual gifts vary, each is given by the same Spirit. He uses the analogy of a body to illustrate how each gift contributes to the overall function of the Church.
:scroll: Key Verse: “Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:4 WWB)

:heart: 1 Corinthians 13: The Supremacy of Love
Known as the ‘Love Chapter’, Paul extols the preeminence of love. Regardless of the gifts and good deeds, without love, they amount to nothing. Love is patient, kind, never envious, never rude, and never keeps a record of wrongs.
:scroll: Key Verse: “But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13 WWB)

:sparkles: Key Themes and Reflections
Two central themes from these chapters include the importance of each member in the body of Christ and the supremacy of love. We are reminded that each one of us, regardless of our gifts, play a crucial role in the Church - each role as significant as the other. Additionally, love is uplifted as the greatest virtue, surpassing even faith and hope.

:bulb: Today’s Application
In a divided world, 1 Corinthians 12 and 13 remind us to utilize our unique gifts to serve our communities and to do so in love. Valuing diversity and leading with love is not just applicable in the Church but in all aspects of life.

:mag: Hidden Gem
While 1 Corinthians 13 is often read during weddings, its primary context is about love within the Christian community, challenging us to embody this divine love in our relationships.

:thought_balloon: Reflective Q&A
:question: What can we learn from the body analogy in 1 Corinthians 12?
A: We learn the importance of unity in diversity and the value of every member in a community.

:question: How does 1 Corinthians 13 redefine love?
A: It paints love not just as an emotion but a conscious commitment to patience, kindness, and forgiveness.

:speech_balloon: Join the Discussion
Share how these teachings have influenced your understanding of spiritual gifts and love.

:date: See You Tomorrow in 1 Corinthians 14.
Stay tuned as we continue zigzagging through Apostle Paul’s letters! May love and unity seasoned with our unique gifts be our guide, today and always.

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1Corinthians 12,13

The apostle Paul wrote concerning spiritual matters, pointing out that the gifts of the Spirit were to be used for the unity of the Body. So he sets out in chapter 12: [1] Diversity of gifts but one Spirit: vv. 1-11. [2] Diversity of members but one Body: vv. 12-27. [3] Diversity in Service, but One Ecclesia: vv. 28-31. • Although the miraculous Spirit gifts are not available today, the principle of those gifts must be sought. He outlines nine such gifts. Two involved the intellect, in the expression of wisdom and of knowledge. These two principles are the foundation of our belief, as we obtain the wisdom of the Word, and apply it in knowledge. Another two gifts involve speech, being the gifts of tongues, and the interpreting of tongues. Consequently, when we speak words of Truth we manifest the voice of God; when we interpret the Word we apply our minds to revelation. Two more gifts concern truth: those of prophecy and the discerning of spirits, reminding us of the need for faithful exhortation, and the testing of exposition. The final three gifts are of actions: those of faith, healing and miracles. Similarly, in the extension of those principles, we apply ourselves to the strengthening of faith; to the caring for others; and to working fruitfulness. When properly applied, these principles centre on the unity of the body, for the differing elements are all necessary for the upbuilding of Christ in his Ecclesial Body. Thus as members in part, we each contribute something to the whole. The word ‘gifts’ (in italics) is not in the original, and the words should be understood as ‘spiritual matters.’ • Paul further emphasises that they should not be ‘ignorant’ and this word means ‘not to know, through lack of information.’ Therefore he now sets about explaining these “matters.” He points out that although the apostles were able to manifest all of the nine ‘gifts’, only one of these gifts could be demonstrated by each individual brother upon whom they laid their hands (1Tim. 4:14; see also 2Tim. 1:6). The gifts granted were Wisdom; Knowledge; Faith; Healing; Working of Miracles; Prophecy; Speaking in Foreign Tongues; Interpreting of Tongues; and Discerning of Spirits. This last one shows that there were some claiming Holy Spirit Power when they were not in possession of such power at all. Those who had the gift of ‘Discerning Spirits’ could detect the True from the False. We have to apply the same principles through the Word which is our power, for John says: “Test the spirits whether they be of God” (1John 4:1). Paul explains that while there were diversity of Spirit gifts there is only ‘one body’ which has many members, and we need each other to fulfil our individual calling. • Ch. 13 develops the greatest of virtues for a follower of Christ. LOVE, he tells us in Col. 3:14, is “the bond [uniting principle] of perfectness,” and in Rom. 13:10, “the fulfilling of the law.” This is not a natural love, for the apostle John declares that “God is love (agape),” and only by His power can we manifest this Divine Love, without which it is impossible to gain salvation. Agape is a self-sacrificing love that is created for the benefit of another, based on knowledge, and not merely on emotion. It is essentially a divine characteristic, being not natural to mankind. The creation of mankind was a manifestation of His love; His chastisements to His children are of His love (Pro. 3:12). The starting point of this love for us, is the study and acceptance of all that God has revealed in His Word, and this helps us to differentiate between right and wrong and to ‘hold fast that which is good’ (see Psa. 119:128; 1Thes. 5:21; 1Jhn. 5:3). With all of this in mind we must be stirred by Paul’s beautiful definition in vv. 4-7. This is the love that we must develop; it is the love that we must provoke each other to share (Heb. 10:24); this is the love that we are to exhibit without dissimulation (play acting; Rom. 12:9). • Paul thus writes in ch. 13: [1] The Reality of Love shown by its absence: vv. 1-3. [2] The Moral Excellence of Love shown by its Presence: vv. 4-7. [3] The Abiding Supremacy of Love shown by its Comparison: vv. 8-13. Let us develop this quality, for thereby we manifest the “law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). — Logos.