Author: Rev. Lek Aik Wee

This love is described as one that suffers, having to bear or endure what is painful and having to undergo distress inflicted by others. The King James translator adds the adjective “long” to describe the enduring nature of this patience. In this context, it describes the believer as exhibiting patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs inflicted by others (Thayer Lexicon). It is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).

The Apostle Paul is getting to the bottom of the matter when he asks the Corinthian Christians to check their motives for all their good works. Is it done with a genuine and sincere heart for the good of honouring and glorying God and in the spirit of true love? If it is not, the greatest deeds of charity of giving away all our goods to feed the poor and giving our body at the stake to be burned will be to avail in the sight of God.

The Apostle Paul is citing the worth of the Christian walk. The Christian faith is an expression of God’s love. He concluded that he is not valuable as an instrument for God’s glory if he does not exercise charity. This word “charity” in our text describes the outworking of God’s love in the life of a believer. This love is both unconditional and sacrificial as exemplified by Jesus’ life as the Bible tells us in 1 Timothy 2:5-6 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all…”

Here is shown the fundamental character of God that the Apostle Paul seeks to impart to the Corinthian Christians – charity is the goodness of God working out in love and benevolence. It is a love that is sacrificial, unconditional, that seeks to do the highest good for another person in the light of eternity. A love that was demonstrated in the life and death of Jesus Christ.

Indeed, MacArthur said well, “God does not intend for everyone to have the same gift, and He does not intend for everyone to have gifts that are out front and noticed. He distributes the offices and the gifts according to His sovereign purpose, “just as He wills” (12:11). The responsibility of believers is to accept the ministries they are given with gratitude and to use them with faithfulness.”

The gift of tongues speaks of the ability to speak in different foreign languages that was prevalent in the Corinthian church. William MacDonald explained insightfully, “Last is the gift of tongues. We believe that there is a significance in the order. Paul mentions apostles first and tongues last. The Corinthians were putting tongues first and disparaging the apostle!”

The word “governments” literally describes the skill with which a pilot guides a ship. He appreciate the terrain of nagivation for safety, has a team of dedicated crew to steer the set course. He manages the well-being of the entire ship. This word is used figuratively here of leadership skill administrative ability, gift of leadership, managerial skill (1Cor. 12.28). [Friberg]