Episode 2: What love doesn’t do

Paul’s words about love are famous. Unfortunately, they’re often quoted out of context, as if Paul were writing about love in the abstract. As a pastor, Paul is trying to correct the attitudes and behaviors of a very contentious group of Christians. And to read his words rightly, we have to appreciate not only what he says verse by verse, but the structure of how he says it overall.

What is Chunks: 1 Corinthians 13?

Many Christians think of 1 Corinthians 13 as Paul's "love chapter." The verses are read at weddings and printed on inspirational keepsakes. But Paul wasn't writing about love in the abstract; he was writing as a pastor trying to correct the attitudes and behaviors of a troubled congregation. Thus, we'll explore Paul's teaching against the background of how the Corinthians struggled in relationship to each other, and see how this might apply to our lives as Christians. (All biblical texts will be read from the New International Version, unless otherwise noted.)