Chunks: 1 Corinthians 13

When Paul first visited the city of Athens, he was cut to the quick by the rampant idolatry he saw there. The word Luke uses to describe Paul’s reaction is the same one Paul uses himself to say that love isn’t “easily angered” in verse 5 of First Corinthians 13. What Paul seems to be describing is how the Corinthians’ quick temper with each other isn’t tempered by love.

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.)