The Prologue of Eternity

1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13 is the greatest wedding passage that isn’t about marriage! And that’s not without good reason. It is an exquisite text, filled with the warmth and beauty of a life laid down for the good of others. Situated between two chapters on spiritual gifts, this exploration of self-giving love offers the Church a foundation for all of its functions.

Love can be a fuzzy word to understand in the English language. We use the same word to convey our relationship to tacos, movies, sports teams, and our families! If we love Star Wars the same way we love our spouse or kids, something is seriously off! Paul roots his definition of love (the Greek term agape) in the very person and work of Christ – the one who gave himself in the ultimate act of love. Paul calls the people of God into this kind of love as the prologue of eternity – when the love of God will fill all in all.

“Love is the acid test of spiritual formation. The single most important question is, Are we becoming more loving? Not, Are we becoming more biblically educated? Or practicing more spiritual disciplines? Or more involved in church? Those are all good things, but not the most important thing.” – John Mark Comer