The Greatest Manifestation of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Summary 
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul shows us that the greatest evidence of the Spirit’s work is not extraordinary gifts, impressive sacrifice, or spiritual power, but love. Love is indispensable because without it even our greatest gifts amount to nothing. Love is definable because God tells us what love is: patient, kind, humble, truthful, and enduring. And love is imperishable because when every partial gift passes away, love will remain. The call of this passage is not merely to admire love, but to be conquered by the love of Christ so that his love is formed in us by the Spirit.

Discussion

1. Why do you think 1 Corinthians 13 is often disconnected from its context of spiritual gifts in chapters 12–14?
2. What does Paul mean when he says that even tongues, prophecy, knowledge, faith, and sacrifice are “nothing” without love?
3. Why are we often more drawn to the extraordinary or impressive than to ordinary, Christlike love?
4. In what ways can spiritual gifts, service, knowledge, or sacrifice become noisy and empty when love is missing?
5. Why is it important to say that love is definable and not self-defining?
6. Which description of love in verses 4–7 convicts you most right now: patience, kindness, humility, not insisting on your own way, not being irritable or resentful, rejoicing with the truth, bearing, believing, hoping, or enduring?
7. How does Paul’s definition of love challenge the way our culture often talks about love?
8. How does the cross of Christ show us both what love is and how we become loving people?
9. Where are you most tempted to pursue “vision,” “strength,” or “impact” without first being conquered by Christ’s love?
10. What does it mean that “love never ends,” especially when Paul says that prophecy, tongues, and knowledge will pass away?
11. How does the promise that we will one day see “face to face” help us endure the partial, dim, and difficult parts of life now?
12. Which question do you most need to sit with this week: “Am I a loving person?” or “Am I loved by God?”