Could you find my car by looking at the photo? You might guess that it’s in a parking garage, but you would struggle to find it until you had some additional direction. You would need to know the city and the facility. It could be at a hospital, mall, or office building.
Biblical Context
You would never head off to find my car without those facts. Yet sometimes believers attempt to understand Scripture without adequate information. When we fail to take the original context into account we end up misunderstanding, misusing, and misapplying Scripture. As we start our study of First Corinthians 13, let’s dig into the context.
In a previous post, I talked about four areas of context that helps us understand a passage. (Read that post “Context is King.”) Let’s briefly consider each one for First Corinthians 13.
Literary Genre of the book
First Corinthians is an “occasional letter.” It was written to a specific people for a specific purpose. Therefore, we cannot completely and correctly understand the content without knowing to whom it was originally written and why. We cannot separate the application to our lives from the original intent.
Context of the book
The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the believers in Corinth from Ephesus roughly 5 years after he first established the church in 50ad. We know from internal evidence (1 Corinthians 5:9) this was probably Paul’s second letter to the church. He addresses specific theological and practical problems in the church. Paul had received reports from one of the member’s house (“from Chloe’s household, 1:11) and possibly from a delegation sent by the church (16:17). He wrote to correct serious doctrinal errors, heal division, call them to turn away from moral sins, and to exhort them to proper community life.
Historical/Cultural Background
- Corinth was a wealthy commercial center. Pagan temples filled the city, including one to Aphrodite with 1,000 cult prostitutes. Since the Greek mindset dominated Corinth, the believers would have distrusted authority, accepted immorality as the norm, and struggled with individualism, making it difficult to unconditionally love and unselfishly serve their fellow believers.
- For background on Paul’s first visit to Corinth and the establishment of the church read Acts 18.
- The recipients of Paul’s letter were mostly Gentiles (12:2) though the church also had a small Jewish minority.
Immediate literary Context
First Corinthians 13 cannot be properly understood outside the larger section of the letter of which it is a part. In chapters 12-14, Paul apparently answers a specific question about spiritual gifts (12:1). Arguing and jealousy over spiritual gifts prompted Paul to discuss how God distributes the gifts and why. Chapter 13, “The Love Chapter,” provides the framework for their use.
1 Corinthians 13 for us
Agape love is more important and eternal than all the spiritual gifts. In fact, love should both guide and motive the use of our spiritual gifts. Otherwise, we accomplish nothing more than a disruption. Without love, our spiritual gifts are worthless. Let’s choose the “most excellent way” and serve in the body of Christ with love. Let’s love our fellow Christians like Jesus loves us.
Now what does this kind of love look like?
What did you learn in your own searching this week?
I love your example of the parking garage for the importance of context.
Something I took away from Week 1 was Paul’s example of instruction and good communication. The Corinthians asked about spiritual gifts. In his answer he brings it back to love, explaining to them that the spiritual gifts don’t really matter if there is no love. He clearly defines what love is and is not. Then exhorts them to love in maturity and faith. A great example of love even as he instructs and admonishes.
This is my first “online” study. Looking forward to it.
Thanks Anne! Yes, everything we say and do should be guided and motivated by love!
I enjoyed this post – and the additional instruction on 1 Corinthians 13. To put it in very simple terms, I’m learning that no matter how much “wisdom” and “knowledge” I have, if I am not loving my fellow Christians and radiating that love to the world, everything else is useless. Wow – that’s humbling, because sometimes it is hard to be loving, but the more you immerse yourself in the word and surround yourself with loving Christians, the easier this becomes.
Mary, that is so true! I love this statement: “the more you immerse yourself in the Word and surround yourself with loving Christians, the easier it becomes.” God’s Word and God’s Community!
Great insight! Thank you so much. I am struck by the fact that vs1-3 are all outward actions, but motive is what really matters. That our heart must be changed through Christ to be effective at all with our knowledge, works or even words. It is not enough to simply do the right things..I need to develop a heart like Christ’s to have anything I do be worthwhile.
Jenn, “Agape” love is indeed “love in action.” We can choose to love even when we don’t “feel” all gushy. We can choose to love because our character is in the process of becoming like Christ’s.
You’re right – context really IS king. I’ve always seen 1 Corinthians in a wedding context, but understanding the real direction and background Paul was writing from gives the passage a whole new meaning. I love this definition of “agape” given in strong’s concordance – “love feasts”. Love is more than just a passing feeling or a fleeting emotions; it’s about making a choice to give up self and put others first. When my hubby and I were dating, he told me one day he didn’t love me. I was appalled, until he explained that he didn’t want to say that he loved me until he really knew he was willing to make the choice to love me selflessly, putting my needs before his. Now, almost 6 years since we said “I Do” I know, without a doubt, that when he says those three little words, I know he really means “I am choosing to put your needs before my own and to love you like He has called me to love.” Of course, we are not perfect and I still have a LOT to learn about real love, but understanding this context of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians makes a huge difference in understanding what Paul really wanted to say.
Stephanie, thanks for sharing your story! I wish more married couples would realize this great truth!