Not a wedding reading

Before you read

Read at almost every wedding, and written to a church that was falling out badly. Paul is in the middle of an argument about spiritual gifts: chapter twelve is about them, chapter fourteen is about them, and this sits between the two like a hand held up. He is not describing romance. He is telling people who were competing with each other what love actually requires, which is why the list is so unflattering.

1 Corinthians 13

Read the middle section slowly, and read it as a description of what you are like rather than of what you want from someone else.

Verse 1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. Verse 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, I am nothing. Verse 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, it profiteth me nothing. Verse 4. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Verse 5. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Verse 6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Verse 7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Verse 8. Charity 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. Verse 9. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. Verse 10. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. Verse 11. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. Verse 12. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. Verse 13. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

1 Corinthians 13KJV

Open in the Bible

One question

Which line in that list is the one you would rather skip?

Nothing here is saved. It is a place to think, not a record.

To close

Lord, I would rather be right than be kind, and I know it. Make me patient where I am sharp, and gentle where I am tired.