The Endurance of Love. 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 v.8. Love is eternal in its nature because God is love and He is its source. The gifts and use of them can fail and they do not last forever. Love is timeless in its value. The Permanence and victory of love are revealed in v.8a. A Climax is Reached: Love never fails - it lasts; it is deathless. v.8b. A Contrast is Presented: prophecies fail; tongues cease; knowledge vanishes. Love has patience, kindness, generosity, humility, courtesy, unselfishness, good temper, guilelessness, and sincerity.
v.9. Spiritual gifts that are so important in the local assembly, are needed now to build up the body of Christ but they are limited. Miracle gifts were significant until the word of God was written in its complete form which we call the “canon of scripture.” Love is completeness in its nature.
v.10. “That which is perfect (complete),” refers to the New Testament scriptures being compiled and distributed to give the Lord’s people the words of God to learn from, review, and practice. Love is fullness in its capacity.
v.11. Miracles and sign gifts were needed before the word of God was available in writing. They had a very important purpose in the early church and fulfilled that purpose. Childish attraction to the miracles and sign gifts is now a hindrance to spiritual maturity and is to be put away.
v.12. The love of Christin a believer enables us to know our Lord Jesus better and to be more like Him in our walk with Him. When we actually see Him visibly, we will know Him as He knows us now.
v.13. The spiritual gifts have been given to strengthen faith and give the firm assurance of hope based on the promises of God. Faith will become sight when we are changed and the sure hope we have in the promises of God will be fulfilled. Love will remain unchanged because we will be like our Lord who is Love.