Our text for today is 1 Corinthians 13:4-5— The Way of Love
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful…”
Introduction
– Remember, authentic love defined = ἀγάπη (agapē) is…
– What is hyperbole? Why do we sometimes make hyperbolic statements? What are the effects of making hyperbolic statements?
hyperbole = “exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally”
– What is the effect of Paul’s use of hyperbole in verse 1? About what is he exaggerating? Why is this statement so appropriate for the Corinthians?
1) Authentic Quality of love 1 = patience (vs. 4)
a) patient = μακροθυμέω makrothumeō = to be slow towards, to be long-enduring; to exercise patience, to be long-suffering, clement, or indulgent; to forbear, to have patience, endure patiently, wait with patient expectation; to bear long with entreaties for deliverance and avengement
b) We say that ‘patience is a virtue.’ What do we mean by that?
c) How were the Corinthians acting impatiently?
d) This Greek word is also used in these verses. What do we learn from them about patience?
- Mt. 18:26, 29
- 1 Thess. 5:14
- 2 Pet. 3:9
- Heb. 6:15
- Jas. 5:7-8
e) How did Jesus demonstrate patience?
2) Authentic Quality of love 2 = kind (vs. 4)
a) χρηστεύομαι chrēsteuomai = to be gentle, benign, kind; to show oneself useful, to act benevolently; to show one’s self mild, to be kind, use kindness
b) How would you explain this in your own words? How does this kindness contrast with our natural inclinations?
c) How were the Corinthians acting without kindness?
d) How did Jesus demonstrate kindness?3) Authentic Quality of love 3 = not jealous (vs. 4)
a) jealous = ζηλόω zēloō = to have strong affection towards, be ardently devoted to; to make a show of affection and devotion towards; to desire earnestly, aspire eagerly after; to be fervent, to be zealous; to be jealous, envious, spiteful; to be an object of warm regard and devotion. Compare this usage with the same word as used in verse 12:31.
b) This Greek word is also used in these verses with the meaning attached to verse 4. What do we learn from them about jealousy?
- Acts 7:9
- Acts17,5
- 1 Cor. 13:4
- Jas. 3:14-16, 4:2
c) How were the Corinthians showing jealousy?
d) How did Jesus demonstrate jealousy?
4) Authentic Quality of love 4 = does not brag (vs. 4)
a) brag or boast = περπερεύομαι perpereuomai = to vaunt one’s self; to boast one’s self, to make a self display, employing rhetorical embellishments in extolling one’s self excessively
b) This word is only used here in the Greek text.
c) Why do we boast? What underlies acts of boasting?
d) How were the Corinthians bragging?
e) How did Jesus demonstrate boasting?
5) Authentic Quality of love 5 = not arrogant (vs. 4)
a) arrogant = φυσιόω physioō = to inflate puff up; to inflate with pride and vanity; to be proud, vain, arrogant
b) This Greek word is also used in these verses. What do we learn from them about arrogance?
- 1 Cor. 4:6-10, 18, 19
- 1 Cor. 5:2
- Col. 2:18
c) How were the Corinthians acting arrogantly?
d) How did Jesus demonstrate arrogance?
6) Authentic Quality of love 6 = not rude (vs. 5)
a) rude = ἀσχημονέω aschēmoneō = to behave in an unbecoming manner or indecorously; to behave in a manner open to censure
b) This Greek word is also used in 1 Cor 7:36. What do we learn from that verse about the word rude?
c) How were the Corinthians being rude?
d) How did Jesus demonstrate rudeness?
Don's notes 