1 Corinthians 13:2 & 3
"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."
We are continuing in our series titled; Seasons of Life. This week the lesson has the theme of "Falling in LOVE." We turn to verses that are VERY famous and used at MANY weddings. The commonly used translation will have the word "LOVE" where the KJV has "CHARITY."
As we study these verses keep in mind; they were NOT written to a man and a woman about to be joined in Holy Matrimony. These verses were written to a church. A church divided by infighting and quarreling between different factions. Unfortunate nastiness between brothers and sisters in Christ.
The Apostle Paul begins this section of his Epistle (letter) with a GREAT preface; saying that he cares and that he is NOT writing to just make "NOISE." In today's verses he continues to make the case that he cares and wants the best for the Corenthians; "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." Paul was a part of really AMAZING things, "mysteries, all knowledge and all faith" just begins to cover the credentials of experience that Paul brings. And, he says; "if I don't have charity I am NOTHING."
Paul continues; "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." SO, Paul is saying "CHARITY" is really important. Really, really important. Maybe this is more than what we think of as "CHARITY."
Charity from the KJV dictionary at... https://av1611.com/kjbp/kjv-dictionary/charity.html
1. In a general sense, love, benevolence, good will; that disposition of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men to think favorably of their fellow men, AND TO DO them good. In a theological sense, it includes supreme love to God, and universal good will to men.
(Some synonyms for charity; love, kindness, affection, tenderness, almsgiving, gifts, services, candor, judge favorably, act of kindness, benevolence, voluntary contributions and more.)
Love definition from Google;
Love is an intense FEELING of deep affection.
(Some synonyms for love; fondness, tenderness, warmth, intimacy, attachment, endearment, devotion, adoration, idolization, worship, passion, desire, lust, yearning, infatuation, adulation, compassion, care, regard, concern, friendliness, friendship, kindness, goodwill, sympathy, kindliness, altruism, philanthropy, unselfishness, benevolence, humanity, romance and more.)
What jumps out to me is that CHARITY is about actions and what is done for the other person. And, LOVE is a feeling that we experience and work to control. All too often we are NOT able to control our feelings. No matter what our feelings are we can control our actions. And, as Paul is pointing out, our actions need to be CHARITABLE.
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