1 Corinthians 16:14 – Real love

Let all your actions occur in Love!

Love is an important theme in this letter. Particularly well-known is the hymn of love in chapter 13. Against the transient manifestations such as prophecies and speaking in languages, which the Corinthians liked to flaunt, Paul placed “love” that never passes. That is love, as GOD loves. The Greek word for this love is agapé and is distinguished in that it is unconditional.

Most of the expressions of love we notice among people are not covered by agapé. Because when love depends on my feelings for the other, it is not agapé. Or when love depends on how the other reacts to me, it is not agapé either. You cannot build on such “love” because the ground of it is shaky. It depends on the feelings of myself or of the other person.

On the other hand, Paul writes of agapé in chapter 8: 1: “love (agapé) builds up”. She builds up because she has a foundation. This love cannot be earned and is independent of circumstances, feelings and behavior. That is what characterizes GOD. It is a fact, unconditional, unchanging, boundless and for everyone!

Delen: