Romans 13
1 Corinthians 13 begins with Paul emphasizing the essence and importance of “love.” After mentioning various gifts in chapter 12, he explains that no matter how great the gifts, talents, or zeal may be, they are of no use without love. In other words, it assumes that inner love takes priority over outward ability.
1verseLet every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God.
2verseTherefore he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment.
3verseFor rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the authority,
4versefor he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil.
5verseTherefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
6verseFor this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, continually doing this very thing.
7verseTherefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
8verseOwe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
9verseFor the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
10verseLove doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.
11verseDo this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed.
12verseThe night is far gone, and the day is near. Let’s therefore throw off the deeds of darkness, and let’s put on the armor of light.
13verseLet’s walk properly, as in the day; not in reveling and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and lustful acts, and not in strife and jealousy.
14verseBut put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.
The Characteristics of Love
- Patience and kindness: Love is patient and kind.
- Not putting oneself forward: It is not jealous, it does not boast, and it is not arrogant.
- Decency and selflessness: It is not rude and does not seek its own advantage.
- Forgiveness and self-control: It does not quickly get angry and does not think evil.
- Truth and solidarity: It does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
- Acceptance and faith: It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
The Eternity of Love
Paul emphasizes that love is a virtue that surpasses other gifts (prophecy, speaking in tongues, knowledge, and so on). Those gifts are partial or temporary, but he explains that only love is eternal. Even amid all human limitations and imperfections, love is never gone.
A Path Toward Completeness
| Imperfection | Completeness |
|---|---|
| The way a child looks—now only in part | The mature person, fully understanding (as if face to face) |
Paul acknowledges that what we have now is “in part,” and at the same time speaks hopefully that when “completeness” comes, everything will be made whole. In other words, he suggests that love leads us into the world of completeness that even surpasses human limits.
Meditation Points
- Do my words and actions, and my abilities, begin from genuine love?
- Among the 15 characteristics of love, what part do I need most today?
- When I look back at the authenticity of “love” that should be checked before gifts and passion, what changes might happen in my life?
Try Applying It to Yourself
1 Corinthians 13 is not just a lofty ideal; it can be used as a principle that comes alive in everyday life. When you begin or end your day, calmly and one by one, check the characteristics of love described in the passage. The small actions, forgiveness, and kindness that I can practice first are absolutely possible any day, including today.
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