"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 [love], I am nothing." - I Cor. 15:2
Nothing is more suited to give pause to the minister of the gospel than these opening verses of this classic chapter on love. They clearly establish the priority of love; the Love God is, and the love a right relationship with Him imparts, if ministry is to have any merit where it really counts.
We are woefully inclined to measure the "success" of ministry in terms of what Vance Havner once called "nickels and noses"—the size of the offering and the size of the crowd. When we do that, we forget at least two things: material wealth can accrue from ungodly pursuits, and worldly entertainment can draw an impressive crowd. Neither prosperity and the property it may acquire, nor popularity and the enthusiasm it may generate are safe measures of success from the divine viewpoint. Jesus had more compassion for the poor than for the rich, and in the Revelation He bestowed His most scathing indictment upon the most affluent of the seven churches (Cf. Rev. 3:14-18). As for the "multitudes," He passed them off as of little consequence when He said, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom [Lk. 12:32, my italics]."
The Holy Spirit, in our text for today, surveys things men tend to associate with a "dynamic" ministry. Prophecy, as the term is used in the N.T., is a gift for the proclamation of the truth of God. This gift is elaborated in I Cor. 14:3; "He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." It is worthy of note in light of the context of our verse for today that prophecy is valued well above the gift of tongues: "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth that he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying… In the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue [I Cor. 14:4-5, 19]." Yet without Love, it adds up to "nothing."
There follows reference to gifts of spiritual perception; "mysteries" and "knowledge." Mysteries are hidden elements of the divine plan of redemption. Knowledge is "the word of knowledge [12:8]," affording insight in spiritual matters as illustrated in the discourse in I Cor. 8:1-13. Observe that it was a gift which, like others, could generate spiritual pride (cf. I Cor. 8:10-12!)
Finally there is reference to "faith." This is not, it seems to me, a reference to what we are inclined to call "saving faith," but to faith as a gift for spiritual power and authority. In Matthew 17:14-20 the Lord Jesus illustrates it. When the disciples inquired of Him why they could not cast out the demon controlling a young boy brought to them by his father for deliverance, "Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove from hence to yonder place: and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you [ v.20]." Clearly this word from the Savior was in Paul's mind when he said, "though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains… " This, too, without Love— nothing!
Here, then, is a brief, but impressive catalogue of elements that would make for an impressive ministry— even in the eyes of the world. Powerful preaching skills, profound spiritual perception and evident power and authority. But,taken together, in the absence of the Love of God, they add up to zero!
The apostle notes in Philippians 1:15-18 how a false motive can be incorporated into public ministry. Competition, self-interest, vanity and pride mar many a ministry, and far too many are "trained" ministers who run unsent. Proud pulpiteers too often forget that should God chose to do so, He could accomplish His will through a dumb ass (cf. II Peter 2:15-16). The central lesson is this: The service of God, devoid of the Love of God receives no approbation from God— no matter what premium men may place upon it. The ministry may still bear fruit, but there will be no "well done" for the minister. Love makes all the difference!
For HIS praise,
"Pastor" Frasier
Nothing is more suited to give pause to the minister of the gospel than these opening verses of this classic chapter on love. They clearly establish the priority of love; the Love God is, and the love a right relationship with Him imparts, if ministry is to have any merit where it really counts.
We are woefully inclined to measure the "success" of ministry in terms of what Vance Havner once called "nickels and noses"—the size of the offering and the size of the crowd. When we do that, we forget at least two things: material wealth can accrue from ungodly pursuits, and worldly entertainment can draw an impressive crowd. Neither prosperity and the property it may acquire, nor popularity and the enthusiasm it may generate are safe measures of success from the divine viewpoint. Jesus had more compassion for the poor than for the rich, and in the Revelation He bestowed His most scathing indictment upon the most affluent of the seven churches (Cf. Rev. 3:14-18). As for the "multitudes," He passed them off as of little consequence when He said, "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom [Lk. 12:32, my italics]."
The Holy Spirit, in our text for today, surveys things men tend to associate with a "dynamic" ministry. Prophecy, as the term is used in the N.T., is a gift for the proclamation of the truth of God. This gift is elaborated in I Cor. 14:3; "He that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort." It is worthy of note in light of the context of our verse for today that prophecy is valued well above the gift of tongues: "He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth that he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying… In the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue [I Cor. 14:4-5, 19]." Yet without Love, it adds up to "nothing."
There follows reference to gifts of spiritual perception; "mysteries" and "knowledge." Mysteries are hidden elements of the divine plan of redemption. Knowledge is "the word of knowledge [12:8]," affording insight in spiritual matters as illustrated in the discourse in I Cor. 8:1-13. Observe that it was a gift which, like others, could generate spiritual pride (cf. I Cor. 8:10-12!)
Finally there is reference to "faith." This is not, it seems to me, a reference to what we are inclined to call "saving faith," but to faith as a gift for spiritual power and authority. In Matthew 17:14-20 the Lord Jesus illustrates it. When the disciples inquired of Him why they could not cast out the demon controlling a young boy brought to them by his father for deliverance, "Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove from hence to yonder place: and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you [ v.20]." Clearly this word from the Savior was in Paul's mind when he said, "though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains… " This, too, without Love— nothing!
Here, then, is a brief, but impressive catalogue of elements that would make for an impressive ministry— even in the eyes of the world. Powerful preaching skills, profound spiritual perception and evident power and authority. But,taken together, in the absence of the Love of God, they add up to zero!
The apostle notes in Philippians 1:15-18 how a false motive can be incorporated into public ministry. Competition, self-interest, vanity and pride mar many a ministry, and far too many are "trained" ministers who run unsent. Proud pulpiteers too often forget that should God chose to do so, He could accomplish His will through a dumb ass (cf. II Peter 2:15-16). The central lesson is this: The service of God, devoid of the Love of God receives no approbation from God— no matter what premium men may place upon it. The ministry may still bear fruit, but there will be no "well done" for the minister. Love makes all the difference!
For HIS praise,
"Pastor" Frasier
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