- INTRODUCTION
- Someone has said, “Love is properly the image of God in the soul; for God is love. By faith we receive from our Maker; by hope we expect a future and eternal good; but by love we resemble God; and by it alone are we qualified to enjoy Heaven and be one with Him throughout eternity.” Love is the fulfilling of the Law. The Law did not have power to change men’s lives, but Christ, who is love personified, did!
- QUESTION
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- The first three verses of our text reveal that many good things can be absolutely worthless without love—the Christ like kind of love. List these good qualities opposite the verses below.
- 1 Corinthians 13:1
- 1 Corinthians 13:2
- 1 Corinthians 13:3
- Pick two or more of the qualities named above. How can these qualities be shown without love (that is, with a wrong motive)?
- Question 2 developed how certain human qualities can be exercised without the presence of divine love. Now show the merit of these qualities when divine love is present.
- In verses 4-7, we are given the elements of love—those of which Christian love is made. Each of these elements can be given common names: they are virtues which we hear about often. And with Christ in our hearts they can be practiced by every person in every situation in life. Alongside each of the elements listed below, write a synonym that is more familiar in our day.
- Love suffereth long . . . Beareth all things
- And is kind
- Love envieth not (Clue: think positive)
- Love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up
- Doth not behave itself unseemly
- Seeketh not her own
- Is not easily provoked
- Thinketh no evil
- Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth
- in the truth
- Believeth all things
- Hopeth all things
- Endureth all things
- List three things mentioned in verse 8 to which divine love is superior. Why?
- “Now and then,” is an expression in modern English language. Find two instances in our text where these words are used. Contrast the now with the then.
- In your estimation why would the Apostle declare that divine love is the greatest attribute?
- The first three verses of our text reveal that many good things can be absolutely worthless without love—the Christ like kind of love. List these good qualities opposite the verses below.
THEME THOUGHTS
The Apostle Peter, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, has given us a formula. We read: “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” It is promised that “if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:5-8). With a promise such as this, we would do well to dig deep into the full meanings of these qualities. We, as Christians, must add them to our spiritual character so we can fulfill Christ’s charge to us to bring forth fruit.
It is possible that Peter presented these attributes in an intended progression. Taking these attributes as a basis for our quarter, we have included several others which are important to the development of Christian character.
As you study each of these lessons, be aware of how these attributes overlap and build on each other.