1 Corinthians 13:13 – Three-stage rocket

Yet ow are remaining faith, expectation, love – these three. Yet the greatest of these is love.

Opposite the spiritual expressions that would disappear (: 8) Paul places the three things that would remain: faith, hope and love. Faith is relying on the word of the scriptures. Hope is the expectation of the scriptures. And love is the love of GOD that the scriptures testify. If the word of GOD were completed, the special revelations would cease. Because they were no longer needed. No more letter from heaven because GOD has made available a complete library: the Bible!

Yet faith and hope will disappear once. Because at the coming of the Lord faith is exchanged for beholding (2 Cor. 5: 7). And for the same reason, hope also disappears, “for hope that is seen is not hope” (Rom. 8:24). Only love will remain – it never decays (: 8). Hence the love of the three that are permanent is the greater.

Compare it with a three-stage rocket: in the first century the stage of special revelations (: 8) were released. What remained since then are faith, hope and love. When faith and hope are soon to be exchanged for contemplation, the second stage is released also. And only love remains!

Delen: