Why Paul puts so high the charity? Why even faithfulness till death in itself, turns out little for the Kingdom without charity? Of course, we could say many things on what is faith, including the religious faith without charity. Moreover, there is probably no sense today to speak much about it: the examples of religious fanaticism...
Why Paul puts so high the charity? Why even faithfulness till death in itself, turns out little for the Kingdom without charity? Of course, we could say many things on what is faith, including the religious faith without charity. Moreover, there is probably no sense today to speak much about it: the examples of religious fanaticism (and this is what it is, in fact, the fullness of faith without a lesser grain of charity) are in front of the eyes of all. It is obvious that such a faith only destroys man, not talking of the fact that it is rather often dangerous for the close relations. But the problem is probably not only in it. The apostle indeed, does not probably want to speak here about only this human charity, which was known in all times, but also about the love of the Kingdom, witnessed by Jesus Himself, in particular at the Last Supper. And it obliges a little to look otherwise on the words.
Indeed, this charity, about which speaks, including, and also the Bible, is itself, above all, a relationship, an intention, directed on the neighbor and carrying in itself the desire to do good to this neighbor. Of course, such an intention can be accompanied by reflections, and feelings, but one and another are only the complement to the main part. Jesus speaks of something big, He speaks about the Kingdom, where charity is this spiritual environment, inside which we build all the relationships binding the inhabitants of the Kingdom.
We could call the charity in a certain sense the spiritual substance of the Kingdom, and the one who is not involved in this charity, in fact will not be also involved in the Kingdom. And then everything is meaningless: because, the sense of the Christian life consists only of it, to join the life of the Kingdom. The Christian needs nothing else, and everything is useless. And Paul himself, living the life of the Kingdom, understands that of course perfectly. And, as seen, does not get tired to remind these fundamental things for the Christian life to the coreligionists.
13 The necessity of love is shown, Co1 13:1-3.
The nature and properties, Co1 13:4-7.
The duration of it, Co1 13:8-13
13:1 Though I speak with all the tongues - Which are upon earth, and with the eloquence of an angel. And have not love - The love of God, and of all mankind for his sake, I am no better before God than the sounding instruments of brass, used in the worship of some of the heathen gods. Or a tinkling cymbal - This was made of two pieces of hollow brass, which, being struck together, made a tinkling, but very little variety of sound.
13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy - Of foretelling future events. And understand all the mysteries - Both of God's word and providence. And all knowledge - Of things divine and human, that ever any mortal attained to. And though I have the highest degree of miracle working faith, and have not this love, I am nothing.
13:3 And though I - Deliberately, piece by piece. Give all my goods to feed the poor, yea, though I deliver up my body to be burned - Rather than I would renounce my religion. And have not the love - Hereafter described. It profiteth me nothing - Without this, whatever I speak, whatever I have, whatever Iknow, whatever I do, whatever I suffer, is nothing.
13:4 The love of God, and of our neighbour for God's sake, is patient toward, all men. It, suffers all the weakness, ignorance, errors, and infirmities of the children of God; all the malice and wickedness of the children of the world: and all this, not only for a time, but to the end. And in every step toward overcoming evil with good, it is kind, soft, mild, benign. It inspires the sufferer at once with the most amiable sweetness, and the most fervent and tender affection.Love acteth not rashly - Does not hastily condemn any one; never passes a severe sentence on a slight or sudden view of things.Nor does it ever act or behave in a violent, headstrong, or precipitate manner. Is not puffed up - Yea, humbles the soul to the dust.
13:5 It doth not behave indecently - Is not rude, or willingly offensive, to any. It renders to all their due - Suitable to time, person, and all other circumstances.Seeketh not her own - Ease, pleasure, honour, or temporal advantage. Nay, sometimes the lover of mankind seeketh not, in some sense, even his own spiritual advantage; does not think of himself, so long as a zeal for the glory of God and the souls of men swallows him up. But, though he is all on fire for these ends, yet he is not provoked to sharpness or unkindness toward any one. Outward provocations indeed will frequently occur; but he triumphs over all. Love thinketh no evil - Indeed it cannot but see and hear evil things, and know that they are so; but it does not willingly think evil of any; neither infer evil where it does not appear. It tears up, root and branch, all imagining of what we have not proof. It casts out all jealousies, all evil surmises, all readiness to believe evil.
13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity - Yea, weeps at either the sin or folly of even an enemy; takes no pleasure in hearing or in repeating it, but desires it may be forgotten for ever. But rejoiceth in the truth - Bringing forth its proper fruit, holiness of heart and life. Good in general is its glory and joy, wherever diffused in all the world.
13:7 Love covereth all things - Whatever evil the lover of mankind sees, hears, or knows of any one, he mentions it to none; it never goes out of his lips, unless where absolute duty constrains to speak. Believeth all things - Puts the most favourable construction on everything, and is ever ready to believe whatever may tend to the advantage of any one character. And when it can no longer believe well, it hopes whatever may excuse or extenuate the fault which cannot be denied. Where it cannot even excuse, it hopes God will at length give repentance unto life. Meantime it endureth all things - Whatever the injustice, the malice, the cruelty of men can inflict. He can not only do, but likewise suffer, all things, through Christ who strengtheneth him.