I Corinthians 13:1-13
Chapter 13, I daresay, one of the best-known chapters in the Bible, second only to Psalm 23. It is probably quoted, in whole or in part, in more Christian weddings than any other Scripture. What could we possibly add to what Paul has already written??!!
But…, there is one item that I noticed today so I will make a comment. Tongues, prophecy, and knowledge appear in verses 1-2, reflected against not having love. Then the same three gifts appear again in verse 8, but this time with a recognition that they will all pass away. But what’s strange here is that faith is included in verse 2 (against not having love), but it does not appear in verse 8 (as passing away). That is, faith will not pass away! Faith endures!! Apparently if you have the gift of faith, yours is a gift that outlasts all the others. And I must say very humbly, when Carol and I were taking our St. Andrew’s “beginners” class back in 2008, as I told my “story” a few weeks into the course, Mike Stevens told me that I had the gift of faith. I was startled to have him tell me that and I’ve never forgotten it. He has blessed me for all time!! GLORY!!
Slava Bohu!