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Priscilla: I Corinthians 13:8-13
The Way of Love – Part 2

Dear God, my Beloved Father, You are the Almighty God whose mercy endures forever. I pray that the Holy Spirit guides me as I contemplate today’s portion of the Holy Scriptures. I am thankful to You and the Holy Spirit.

Father, today I would like to present my meditation on love, as written in I Corinthians 13:8-13.

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Verse 8: I understand that love is more important than anything listed by the Apostle Paul. Love is more important than prophesying, even if it reveals divine knowledge and builds up the church. Love is more important than speaking in tongues, even if that builds up the speakers. Love is also more important than possessing great wisdom or knowledge, because one day all these gifts will pass away. However, love will not pass away, for God is love, and His love endures forever. Love will never fail, but it will always fulfill the purpose of God in those who receive it. It enables them to know love, to truly love God and others, and to live a joyful life in love.

9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

Verses 9 and 10: I understand that while we, the people of God, still live in our mortal bodies, no matter how much knowledge we may have of the Scriptures, we cannot fully comprehend the depth of God’s mysteries and the knowledge of the world. Even if we prophesy extensively, we cannot fully express all that God has revealed in His Word. However, when Christ comes to take the Church out of the world, our mortal bodies will be transformed into holy, immortal, and glorious bodies, just like the body of Christ. At that time, our partial knowledge will pass away, and we will have a complete understanding of God, God’s Word, and the knowledge of the world.

11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Verse 11: I understand that the Apostle Paul compares our current state to that of children. No matter how much knowledge we may have about the physical and spiritual realms, we are still like infants compared to the knowledge we will possess in the Kingdom of Heaven. When Christ comes, the people of God will be transformed and will have a complete understanding. Paul refers to this as spiritual maturity.

12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Verse 12: I understand that, at present, all people of God who are still living in their mortal bodies cannot have a full understanding of both the physical and spiritual realms. However, when the Lord Jesus Christ returns and takes the Church out of the world, the people of God will experience the glory of transformed or resurrected bodies and immortality, and they will be face-to-face with God. At that time, they will have a complete understanding.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Verse 13: I understand that love is the nature of God, and those who do not love do not truly know Him. Having unwavering faith in God’s Word, relying on His promises written in the Scriptures, and eagerly awaiting the blessed coming of Christ to take the Church out of the world are all necessary. However, the love of God is of greater importance. Love nurtures faith and hope. Without love, one cannot truly know God. How can they have faith and hope? The Word of God clearly states, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” (I John 3:14).

I am thankful to You, Father, for the instruction in this portion of Scripture. I pray that You will grant me and every person in the Church a correct understanding of love, so that we may apply it according to Your teachings, living a life of reverence and love for You, loving our brothers and sisters in faith more than ourselves, and loving others as we love ourselves. Amen!

In the grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Priscilla Christian Huynh
05/25/2023