1 Corinthians 13:4-7

 “Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

— ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭4‬-‭7‬‬

Most questions about this chapter regard the preceding verses or the following verses. What’s important to note about these verses is that they (obviously) have paragraphs and CHAPTERS that precede and follow. Though I won’t disparage the reading of them for personal use or at special occasions too much, they gain so much more meaning when read within ch 12-14. 

Corinthians arguing over spiritual gifts and who has the best ones. Paul says, “All are members of one body.” I’ve heard it said that spiritual gifts are not given to me, but given to the church through me. (And no, these lists of gifts are not exhaustive, but that’s for another time).

Paul closes 12 with saying the highest gift is love. Then he explains what that looks like, because the Corinthians are the most selfish, proud, and divided group of people we find in the NT. Without a proper understanding of love and unity, none of their other issues discussed in the letter would find resolution. No other spiritual gifts would matter. And then ch 14 discusses order in the church community, whether sign gifts or a group of women who were disrupting (and obviously very debated how applicable that is for today).

“Love does not rejoice at injustice but the truth.” Sometimes today, “truth” people and “justice” people disagree on what each of those terms mean and how to accomplish the latter. “Truth” people are accused of not caring about justice because they’re so focused on being right. 

I don’t have any monumental solutions. But revisiting the heart of love for neighbor may be a place to start. Issues are not as crystal clear as we may think, causing us to listen to people, ask how we can serve and show the love of Christ, and sacrifice our own ambitions.

3 John 9-12

“I wrote something to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not acknowledge us. Therefore, if I come, I will call attention to the deeds he is doing – the bringing of unjustified charges against us with evil words! And not being content with that, he not only refuses to welcome the brothers himself, but hinders the people who want to do so and throws them out of the church! Dear friend, do not imitate what is bad but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does what is bad has not seen God. Demetrius has been testified to by all, even by the truth itself. We also testify to him, and you know that our testimony is true.”

— ‭‭3 John‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬-‭12‬‬

 This letter is slightly different than 1 and 2 John, in that there’s a very specific purpose. Yes, still false teachers, but we get specific names. There’s division and different perspectives of how to handle the controversy. It’s one of (if not the shortest book) in the NT, but there’s a lot to unpack in these verses. 

The NET does a good job for not being a commentary in helping us understand the background. There’s obviously debate as to the exact situation. Gaius and Diotrephes are probably at different churches, and Demetrius may be the leader of the traveling missionaries. John, or the author of the book, can speak from experience, not that he travels with the group. He has been on the same circuit and knows that Diotrophes is not generous and only cares about his own pride and authoritarian leadership style.

He urges Gaius to show hospitality and do good to those teaching the truth. 

Diotrophes slanders those preaching the truth, spreads lies, refuses hospitality, and wants them removed from the church. We can see this and think, “Wow that’s mean.” But in the first century, this would be far worse. Whether it’s an honor and shame culture mindset, or just depending on home churches for food and shelter during travel. (It was dangerous). 

So the verse of “do good and not evil,” is not just a general statement like what we might read in Paul. This is right in line with John’s letters. Works of love demonstrate our having received the love of God.

See John 3:17-21; 1 John 3:6, 10; 4:7, 20 for similar verses. “Seeing God” is obviously a parallel phrase to salvation or eternal life, etc.

Contrary to Diotrophes, the apostle is affirming the witness and personal character of Demetrius so the message can be believed, and someone will take care of him.

It’s helpful to have personal stories like this, because it’s relatable. May we support those who are teaching the truth and be quick to meet needs, not slander and refuse aid.

1 Peter 4:7-10

 “For the culmination of all things is near. So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer. Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without complaining. Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of the varied grace of God.”

— ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭10‬‬

Beginning with “be self-controlled” vv. 7-10 are one long sentence in Greek. So the “verbs” in vv. 8-10 are participles, explaining how (at least in this chapter) Peter envisions his audience being self controlled and sober minded. 

By (a) keeping love fervent (b) showing hospitality without complaining (c) and using gifts to serve one another

“Love covers a multitude of sins” is quote from Proverbs, meaning true sacrificial love among believers is bathed in forgiveness. 

I don’t think I’ve reached the point of hospitality without complaining yet. Working on my generosity.

We are not reservoirs of God’s grace. We are conduits to share His goodness with others. Yes, we are given a gift per se, but really, God gives the church the gift “through” us. We are simply managers/stewards, and if we don’t edify and encourage others with how God has blessed us, then we are wasting the skills, abilities, and yes spiritual gifting that God has given all believers.

1 John 4:11-12

 “Dear friends, if God so loved us, then we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God resides in us, and his love is perfected in us.”

— ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬-‭12‬‬

John’s opponents didn’t have a clearly defined heresy. We know they denied some things about Jesus (orthodox view of dual nature). So yes, John could attack their beliefs at times.

It was easier, at other times, to point out how their belief system led to horrible application, whether lifestyles of sin (ch 3) or not loving fellow believers.

If: First class condition, which assumes something is true for sake of argument. Logical conclusion or a “prove it” statement in other passages. 

No one has seen God is not meant to disprove other place like Moses or Elijah. Let John say what he wants to say. Now, of course no one has seen the fullness of God ever. That would kill someone most likely. The point here is that believers have the person of God inhabiting them through the person and work of the Holy Spirit.

And if they understand and have experienced the love of God (and continue to experience it through their faith journey), it will flow from them to others. In turn, those around them will experience the love of God, too. They will “see God.” Experience God. Be welcomed by God. 

This is one evidence of knowing the truth. A sacrificial, others-first mindset that reflects Jesus. John is really giving a standard for teachers/who to follow, but if definitely applies to all.

2 John 5-6

 “But now I ask you, lady (not as if I were writing a new commandment to you, but the one we have had from the beginning), that we love one another. (Now this is love: that we walk according to his commandments.) This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning; thus you should walk in it.”

— ‭‭2 John‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬-‭6‬‬

Commandment and loving others seems parallel throughout John’s writings, whether gospel or letters. 

John’s opponents had wrong view of Jesus, proto-Gnosticism, and some practical ways to identify were their hatred for believers and leaving the church. See 1 John 2 and 3. 

Here John reemphasizes that these believers had heard from beginning (presumably from Jesus or apostles ministry) that sacrificial love was essential.

John 15:1-17

 “If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.”

— ‭‭John‬ ‭15‬:‭10‬‬

Abide in me and bear love. Similar to abide in me and bear fruit. Fruit is love in this passage, not all sorts of good works.

Abide is not only found in John 15. I think first mention is John 6, where four or five phrases relate activities to various rewards: looking upon seeing, believing, following, eating Jesus’ flesh —- eternal life, food that never perishes, raised at last day, etc. Therefore, abiding is not something that only happens in succession but for John is a package deal. Abiding/remaining = believing in our terms = following. 

Fruit = obey commandments, but in John 15 Jesus gives the command. “New command” is to love.

1 John 4:16-18

“And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has in us. God is love, and the one who resides in love resides in God, and God resides in him. By this love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment, because just as Jesus is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears punishment has not been perfected in love.”

— ‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭16‬-‭18‬‬

By this: Goes back to v. 16 (Mutually residing in God)

So that: result of love being perfected—we have confidence on day of judgment. Day of judgment is key concept when understanding “punishment and fear” later on.

Perfect love drives out fear. Not really talking about all relationships/friendships, those with harsh pasts or reasons to have trust issues. John in both gospel and letters has grand dichotomy between his opponents/false teachers and the true believer. Number one way to demonstrate abiding in Christ or knowing God’s love: loving others. If someone did not share God’s love, in this 1st cent church, his/her doctrine would line up with heresy. John says they should fear judgment. But those who love display evidence of having received God’s love. No need to fear. 

Per NET notes: For John, opposite of perfect love isn’t imperfect love. Opposite of perfect love is hate. He deals in absolutes. 

This is serious business and the modern church would do well to take note.