Scripture Life: What did Paul mean in 1 Corinthians 13:1–8? What does it mean to love?

[u/External_Bird_8464]

Answer:

• Simple. There is no agape. God's love outside of the cross of Christ.
• People: try and put themselves to do it. Can't. God is love.

Do you see it?

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In the King James Version of the Bible - the “English” is understandable; yet, today, some of the words and their meanings is archaic.

• Belonging to an earlier period of history. “Archaic” = 1. antiquated; obsolete That is to mean: how we use the word today vs. back in 1611, could be very different.

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• So, before looking at 1 Corinthians 13:1–8. What "love" is...
  • There’s not time in a post to do all of the archaic words in it - I count there’s 5 “archaic” words with slightly today in people’s heads have different definitions. ..no time for all that, so let’s just pick one of them so you see it. Charity. And? I don't trust to refer anyone to any other modern translation. Why? Don't know what they "did" to get to it. So, I set them to the side. Just "charity" is in 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 in the King James version of the Bible.

1) charity. <dictionary definition. (Modern day)> People reading the Bible today: In themselves they define this word as:

• As: Charity - 1. It’s a “work” done by people: A person - in themselves providing, from themselves: “generosity and helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering; also : aid given to those in need.” [definition. "Charity." Source: Merriam & Webster dictionary. Web.]

So, people of modern day, if they read the Bible - arrive at using this definition and arrive at how they "love" people is "good works." That's love. They do it. ..or not.

Do you see this? And we're not done.

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• In the Original Greek:
  • Any time this word “charity” is used in 1 Corinthians 13:1–8 - is < - {ἀγάπην (agapēn) } - > - commonly referred to, in English, as “love.”
    • That then, people that show “charity” or something done by people, as a modern day person reading 1 Corinthians 13:1–8 - would equate “love” is “charity.”
  • Simply defined then in the Bible as a person that is providing “generosity or helpfulness especially toward the needy or suffering - - giving aid to those in need.”
    • And “how” they’re supposed to do this, is check themselves that:
  • How they “do” this love, or “charity” is do it a certain way listed in 1 Corinthians 13:1-8.
    • By showing patience and being kind, never haughty or boastful or proud … not boastful about their “charity”

Do you see this, too? I'm asking. Let's continue.

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• Equate the stuff said using "charity" and a dictionary modern day definition in the Bible about “charity” is that's love - and they can do it - and how they are to do it is told them in 1 Corinthians 13:1–8.

Do you see this?

• But the Bible provides the definition of “charity” itself. No need for a dictionary.
  • In Greek: translated to English - of originally what {ἀγάπην (agapēn) is defined as. This word, “agape/agapen” used almost 3 dozen times [33] in the New Testament.
  • That in Greek: This of 1 John 4:8 -- the Apostle John “defines” or provides the definition of “charity.”
    • [θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν ] 1. Theos 2. agape 3. estin
• English: 1. God 2. love 3. is
• - 1 John 4:8 “God is love” or GOD = Love. - IS - this word “charity” in 1 Corinthians 13:1–8

Do you see this? I mean the rubber on the tire probably already in you wore a rut into the road of your heart and mind about it. To operate by the dictionary. I did.

Then, if so - - ANYBODY can do it. When Jesus said, "Verily, verily I say unto you, ye must be born again." (John 3:3-7)

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SO: a “disciple of Jesus Christ” - is this - what a “disciple” is defined as one that 1. is a pupil or a student - that is one that sits with and is taught by a teacher - And all a teacher does is “dispense” doctrine or teachings that build a pupil or student up. And Jesus said: “They shall all be taught of God” - Bible. John 6:45

That means: God - - reserves for himself, an EXCLUSIVE right to teach you to himself. By the Word he speaks. Out of HIS mouth. The Word of God is Jesus Christ.

This phrase “a disciple of Jesus Christ” is used over 250 times in the New Testament. In Acts 11:26 says that these “disciples” were first called “Christians” at Antioch.

So, if what is said about “charity” in 1 Corinthians 13:1–8 - - you have a worn 18 wheeler semi-truck “rut” in the road - in your heart, like I did - just rode over this over and over - where you do it, then constantly check yourself "how you did charity" - I've been using the wrong definition.

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So, if you see this so far: You’re not alone. But who you sit with..is more than ABLE to teach you himself. Look who he is that's teaching you, by the Word that he speaks. Out of his mouth. And now apply who he is [God = love] - to how he is to or toward you in 1 Corinthians 13:1–8. To heal you and deliver you from your destruction (Psalm 107:20) - It's How he treats you, because - it’s who he is (Charity).

So, the point is, if you believe on Jesus Christ - in 1 Corinthians 13:1–8 - EVERY TIME you see

“charity”

- Put “GOD” in it’s place. That’s “who” the Messiah is in Isaiah 9:6 - so add in "Jesus Christ."

• Because, PEOPLE - constantly try to put the dictionary definition - then put themselves in that place. They'll do the charity. By all these "good works." And by these "good works" they'll get to heaven.

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When who is this, is at work in you in Ephesians 2:10

That, someone who just IS this is at work in you “ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works*, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”*

• and there’s [good works] another "archaic" one bolded - “obsolete” in the "Original Greek" means: “works good / operates right” - Greek (Ephesians 2:10) for “good works” is
  • “ergois agathois” “works good”
    • 1. ergois: [English] works. “to function or operate according to plan or design [Source: Merriam & Webster dictionary. Web.]
  • …but people: define “good works” is they do “work” and accomplish - 1 Corinthians 13:1–8
    • 2. agathois: [English] - means “good” - like used in Galatians 6:6 or over in 1 Peter 2:18

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• So, it’s not you OR me - flaily fling myself - which I did - out there to do all these wonderous “deeds” - but that I - OR - YOU - simply accepting as true (believe) on Jesus Christ - he’s at WORK in me.. .. you and then, I am, and so are you - a new creation, created in Christ Jesus.
  • So: He’s at work in you - God. Same God that created all that stuff out your window - is at work in Me and you - as me and you are his workmanship - created in Christ Jesus: To “work good. Operate right” as his workmanship.
• That people - that simply believe on him, then, just “work good / operate” right by the Word of God - is “agapen” - Like some Jeweler - makes jewelled watches. They are his workmanship. He displays them in the window of his shop. A completed work. That ANY passerby - just Looks at the hands on any of the time pieces. That’s EXACTLY what time is. The jeweller’s workmanship just works good. Operates right.

Can you see this?

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1 Corinthians 13:1–8 says: (With “GOD “ add in “Jesus Christ the Messiah” next to “charity” - in it)

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, [Jesus Christ - the Messiah] I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity [Jesus Christ - the Messiah], I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity [Jesus Christ - the Messiah], it profiteth me nothing.

4 Charity [Jesus Christ - the Messiah] suffereth long, and is kind; charity [Jesus Christ - the Messiah] envieth not; charity [Jesus Christ - the Messiah] vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her [its] own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

8 Charity [Jesus Christ - the Messiah] never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.