A Promise to Ponder Vol. 1, Issue 15

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

Faith – This is best defined in Hebrews 11:1- “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Hope – 2) expectation of good, hope, a) in the Christian sense, 1) joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation, 3) on hope, in hope, having hope a) the author of hope, or he who is its foundation, b) the thing hoped for

Charity – 1) affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love

   1 Corinthians 13:13 is the last verse in a very eye opening chapter. Throughout this chapter Paul makes it very evident that the Christian life is ALL about one thing, CHARITY/LOVE. Paul basically tells us that a Christian life lived only through “tradition”, or only “Going through the motions” is not a Christian, separated life. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 tells us 1 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. 2 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. 3 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. Paul then goes on to define love in the next few verses “4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 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.” Then he tells us that many things will pass away “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. 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. 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.” Paul has now weeded out things that will vanish and he finishes with our verse for today. “13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” While many things will change through this life there are three things that will not change faith, hope, and charity.

   Of these things Charity is the greatest. Why? Because without love we would not have anything to put our Faith in, nor would we have Hope. Look at these few verses. Romans 5:8 “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Ephesians 2:4 “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,” 1 John 4:7 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” 1 John 4:10 “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” You see without God’s love we would not be capable of selfless love. Our Christian life is based wholly on love. We are to be like Christ so we are to LOVE others.

   What is the promise? It’s this; God will stop loving when God ceases to exist, our Hope is solid and our Faith is sure. Though things in this life change three constants you can depend on, Faith, Hope, and Love. Faith will comfort you through a trial, Hope gives you something to place your Faith in, and Love will get you through the trial because it is the greatest of the three.