Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
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]
John MacArthur observed well, “The gift of helps is a gift for service in the broadest sense of helping and supporting others in day–by–day, often unnoticed, ways. It is the same gift as that of serving (Rom. 12:7), though another Greek word is used in that text. Helps (antilēmpsis) is an especially beautiful word, meaning to take the burden off someone else and place it on oneself. That gift doubtlessly is one of the most widely distributed of any, and is a gift that is immeasurably important in supporting those who minister other gifts.”¹
When Jesus was upon earth, he wrought the first miracle in Cana of Galilee. It was in a small village and it was during the wedding celebrations of a couple. Jesus turned water into wine. The gospel of John narrates to us in John 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
The manifestation of the miracles was for the purpose of pointing the people to Christ, the Son of God, the Giver of miracles, that they may find salvation in Jesus Christ. For that matter, when Jesus heals, it was to point us to believe on Him, the only Saviour of the world – John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Matthew recorded in our Lord Jesus sending his twelve disciples empowering them with the gift of miracles and healing – Matthew 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
It is notable to observe these gifts were given to authenticate the gospel message that men everywhere may repent – Matthew 10:7-8 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.