1 Corinthians – GaryCombs.org

LOVE THAT NEVER GIVES UP

August 20, 2023

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT). Paul’s love chapter (1 Cor. 13) is one of the most wonderful descriptions of “agape” love found in any literature in human history. Yet, love’s lofty attributes are beyond mortal humanity absent the Spirit which inspired

“It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends” (1 Corinthians 13:7-8 HCSB).

August 20, 2021

LOVE NEVER GIVES UP Paul’s love chapter (1 Cor. 13) is one of the most wonderful descriptions of “agape” love found in any literature in human history. Yet, love’s lofty attributes are beyond mortal humanity absent the Spirit which inspired Paul’s writing. For “agape” love is God’s kind of love. It is unconditional, enduring and

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT).

August 20, 2018

LOVE NEVER GIVES UP
Paul’s love chapter (1 Cor. 13) is one of the most wonderful descriptions of “agape” love found in any literature in human history. Yet, its lofty attributes are beyond mortal humanity absent the Spirit which inspired Paul’s writing. For “agape” love is God’s kind of love. It is unconditional, enduring and sacrificial. It is most fully demonstrated in that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).

God has not given up on us because agape love never gives up. “For God is love” (1 John 4:8).

Who do you know that needs God’s kind of love, the kind of love that never gives up?

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 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, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 NKJV).

August 20, 2017

The apostle Paul used hyperbole to urge the Corinthians not to place so much emphasis on spiritual gifts and signs. Even taken to the extreme, such would come to nothing without love. Instead, he would have them focus on what motivated their worship. Namely, were they moved by a heart of love?

Paul’s point is clear: Without love, our best communication is garbled, our spiritual giftedness is empty and our religious effort will come to nothing. “For man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7).

What motivates you? Is it ambition or a desire to be seen? Or does your heart beat with the agape love of God?

“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12 NKJV)

August 20, 2015

In Paul’s chapter on why love is the greatest gift, he explains that the gifts of prophecy, tongues and knowledge will pass away. While love will never end, these three gifts will no longer be needed. Why? Because prophecy will be fulfilled, language will no longer be confused (Gen. 11:7), and knowledge will become experience. Recently, someone asked whether we would know one another in heaven. The answer we see here is clear: Yes, we “shall know” just as we are “known.” And most wonderful of all, we shall finally be “face to face” with the One who saved us, Christ Jesus our Lord!