Useful Bible Studies > 1 Corinthians Commentary > chapter 13
God has given many wonderful things to his people (James 1:17).
Several of God’s gifts appear in Paul’s list in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. As Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 13:8-12, God does not intend for those gifts to be permanent. The purpose of those gifts is to help God’s people in the present age, during their lives in this world. In the future age, when Christ is ruling, those gifts will have achieved their purpose.
In 1 Corinthians 13:13, Paul tells us about three other gifts that God gives. These gifts remain with God’s people, now and always. They are for both the present and the future age.
Faith means active belief and trust in God. It is a gift that God gives by his word, especially by his promises. God has promised certain things to his people in the Bible; by faith, they believe and trust him. Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6).
In the Bible, hope is something certain. It is the sure knowledge that God will do good things for his people (Hebrews 6:18-19). God is good; he will not disappoint his people.
It is wonderful that God gives faith and hope to his people. However, Paul says that love is even more wonderful. They received this love from God, and they share it with other people. It is because of love that Christians declare God’s good news across the world. Because of love, they give up their selfish desires to serve other people as God guides them. Because of love, they constantly care about and help other people.
This is the kind of love that God gives. This is the love that Christians should offer to this world. This love will never end.
Next part: How to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit with an attitude of love (1 Corinthians 14:1)
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© 2014, Keith Simons.