Part One
Part One.
Because this Gem Study is in depth, it has been given in two parts, it may be too much to study at one given time.
When I was a child, I never understood 1 Corinthians 13, it really did not make sense to me. 1 Corinthians 13, talks about the acts of love, but then says without love, “have not charity, I am nothing.” To my young child’s mind, this was confusing. I was thinking it takes love to do the acts of charity for our fellow man, so why did it say, “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. As a child, I was thinking on these things, like who would do these things without love. I believed there must be more to this that I did not simply understand, but just could not find what that was. I was a child.
When I was an adult, I still found 1 Corinthians 13 confusing for the very same reasons. With prayer, asking for the Guidance of the Holy Spirit, and studying it again, the Lord helped me realize that this chapter is all about God, His Love, His character; and for us, having God within us, our hearts, and minds. God is the greatest of all things.
Before reading on, please Pray for the Holy Spirit to Guide you in the following study about God, asking in Jesus Holy Name.
The Scripture teaches, “God is Love,” 1 John 4:8, 16. So, when reading the words where Charity/Love is mentioned, it is talking about God. If we understand that God is Charity/love, Charity/love is God also. With this understanding, then and only then, does this chapter truly make sense and gives us deeper understanding of the message within the passages. Even to this day, God keeps showing me more of His love, from this Chapter. Please read the chapter below with the understanding that God is in the word Charity/love.
1 Corinthians 13, Charity means, agapē ag-ah’-pay. 1 John 4:8, 16, Love also means, agapē ag-ah’-pay.
From G25; love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast: – (feast of) charity ([-ably]), dear, love. (Reference from the Strong’s Concordance.)
1 Corinthians Chapter 13 verses 1 to 13.
v1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. v2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. v3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. v4. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, v5. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; v6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; v7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. v8. 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. v9. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. v10. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. v11. 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. v12. 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. v13. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Corinthians Verse 13b says “; but the greatest of these is charity”.
When we understand that this chapter is talking about God, it opens a wider picture to God’s Word, of God’s love. Matthew 22:37- 40 teaches us the Great Commandment. Yet the second part of the great commandment cannot be fulfilled or done without the first part in place in our hearts, because if we “have not charity, I am nothing.”.
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:37-40.
The first 4 of the 10 Commandments teaches the first Great Commandment. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. Matthew 22:37-40.
Listen to the way God wrote the first 4 of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:2-11.
1st. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2nd. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
3rd. Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
4th. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD’S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is. Deuteronomy 10:12-14.
In Galatians 5:22, 23. The fruit of the Spirit has the same Love … agapē … as 1 Corinthians 13 and 1 John 4:8, 16.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
We understand and believe that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, are One, that is, in Character, Thought – Mind, Love, yet are three persons of the Godhead Bodily. Note Colossians 2:8-9, which is regarding Christ. In the same understanding of one, yet two persons, in Mark 10:8, of verses 6 to 9. When we look at 1 Corinthians 13, as the God Chapter; knowing that God, Son, and Holy Spirit are one, we can also see The Three within the chapter as well.
Verse 9 and 10 of 1 Corinthians 13 show us that it’s about Jesus too. v9. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. v10. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Verse 13 shows us that we are to abide in the fruit of the Holy Spirit “now abideth faith, hope, charity” which is part of the Fruit of the Spirit.
We, ourselves, are in this Chapter as well, as in this example in verse 12 of 1 Corinthians 13, as it says, “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.”
That which is perfect is come, is talking about Jesus, in character with God and filled with the Holy Spirit. Perfect.
I am known. This is our character and relationship with God.
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18.
If we have not charity/love which is God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, we have nothing. For it is only by the “Spirit of the Lord” “with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,” are we changed into that “same image from glory to glory”…
Without God we have nothing. The only way we can know Him is by spending time with Him.
It is so important to know God and be known of Him. Loving “The Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind”. Matthew 22:37. But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 1 Corinthians 8:3.
Matthew 7:20-29 says, Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Jesus said, “…Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:”… To hear is to obey. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: John 10:27. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: Exodus 19:5. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:24-26.
Because this Gem Study is in depth, it has been given in two parts, it may be too much to study at one given time.
1 Corinthians 13
Part Two.
Part Two.
John 8:1-19 is a wonderful example of God’s love.
Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
Without spending time with God, Son, and Holy Spirit, we can’t love as They do, for it is by beholding them we are changed into that same image from glory to glory.
The Pharisees did show within themselves a very different character to Jesus. They were willing to stone a woman in order to kill Jesus. They had no care or love for the woman, they were ready to kill her to destroy Jesus. They set her up, cast judgment; without God; without love.
If we put ourselves in this woman’s place, where someone has put us into a situation, whatever that may be, that we ended up trapped. Truth mixed with lies, are now laid out before many. We made a mistake, and we were so sorry for our part, yet the people around condemn us, without forgiveness, love, or care, without willingness to hear the whole truth. With no help of the people around us, we are now drawn back to the Godhead Bodily which gave us mercy and love, in time past, where we received forgiveness through Jesus, when we acknowledged our sins and faults, repented, and asked for forgiveness. In such a situation, I’m sure we all would want to be at the feet of Jesus, where we are drawn closer to Him in this GREAT LOVE. I’m sure we would say, yes indeed.
We need to see God in His love, not the way man sees or understands. We so easily listen to what others say about someone else. Sounds bad; our ears listen, judgement builds in our heart. But what about the one they were talking about? Do we have the same love and care for them? We have one of two choices. We could run with it in our own human prospective, or we can pray about the situation and leave it in God’s hands, committing it all to Him that judgeth righteously: see 1 peter 2:23 and show the love that God has for us all.
God looks upon our hearts. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7-10. The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Jeremiah 17:9, 10.
Most scholars believe that this woman was the one that came to the feet of Jesus to anoint Him. See Matthew 26:6-13. We should never judge anyone that comes to the feet of Jesus, as the Pharisees and Simon did in Matthew 26:6-13. Even if we think we have reason to, because we have been told something from another. It is at the feet of Jesus do we learn of His LOVE. The Pharisees felt injured because of the Truth Jesus told; they set plans to condemn Him because they did not have God within them, as Jesus had said.
Remember that it is written “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Praise God that He supplies an armour that we may stand. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:10-18.
We are to “Behold, what manner of love the father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not”. 1 John 3:1.
It can only happen when we have God, the Love of God in us, then all the rest comes together. And that’s the love God wants us to have. For it is only by the “Spirit of the Lord”… “with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,” are we changed into that “same image from glory to glory”…
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Joining The second Great Commandment to the first, we have the whole Picture.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:39, 40.
We can’t even truly love ourselves without the first Commandment. “…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind”. This is the first and great commandment. See Matthew 22:37-40.
Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked. For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen. Deuteronomy 10:16-21.
The last 6 of the Ten Commandments in Exodus teach us the second part of the Great Commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:39, 40.
The last 6 of the Ten Commandments in Exodus.
5th. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 6th. Thou shalt not kill.
7th. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8th. Thou shalt not steal.
9th. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
10th. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:24, 25.
Read these following verses from Romans 13:8-14, with all that has been learned in this Gem study in the truth of loving God with thy heart, mind, and soul, which will give the ability of loving thy neighbour as thyself.
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. Romans 13:8-14.
God is Love. Therefore, if we have not God, nor the love of God, no matter how much we do for others or give away to others, no matter how much we may know and prophesy; without God, we become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal, which profiteth us nothing. 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. 1 Corinthians 13:8.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16, 17.
The two Great Commandments sums up what the Old Testament, which includes The Ten Commandments given, and the New Testament is all about. As Jesus said, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:39, 40.
When we study the Holy Scriptures of the Bible, remember that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16.
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. 1 Corinthians 13:11. This is so true. It is only when we get to know God and grow in Him, do we put away our childish things, that includes our own understanding. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. Proverbs 3:5-7.
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. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1 Corinthians 13:12, 13.
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31.
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