1 Corinthians 13:8 (ESV Strong's)
Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.
Tag: Love Never Ends (Fails)!
Paul, in this chapter of 1 Corinthians, is outlining for the believers at Corinth the proper use of spiritual gifts. In chapter 13 he specifically is informing that any gift needs to be governed in its use by the concept of love. If we don’t have love, it matters not the use of the gift. Note the earlier verses:
1 Corinthians 13:1-2 (ESV Strong's)
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
When Paul says that “love never ends” he is not saying that love always wins. Jesus himself loved unconditionally and with complete purity. Yet, even His love could not persuade all to love him. Even one of his own disciples betrayed him with a kiss. Love never ends (or fails) because it is tied to the character and essence of God. As compared to spiritual gifts, Love is permanent and gifts are impermanent. Paul will be further outlining the use of gifts (the gift of tongues and prophecy, specifically), but first wants the readers to know that no matter the gift it must be governed by love. Even though love can’t conquer the will of others at all times, it is still the essence of God and should be the primary motivation for what we do and say and how we act as believers. Everything we do should be done out of God empowered love, no matter the results. Love will never end because it is the essence of who God is. In heaven, when all gifts will be no longer important and when ministry and service to others will be replaced by joy and worshiping God, only love will remain. Love will never have a time when it does not manifest itself through the plans and work of God. Nor should it end when we minister and serve God and others.
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