Love is superior to the gifts of the Spirit shown in the previous chapter. The gifts of the Spirit must be used in favor of others and not to make one feels superior to others. Besides, these gifts will cease one day, whereas love is forever.
A church full of love and lack of supernatural power is superior to a church full of supernatural power but without love.
However, don't we need power to love? Power to be kind, patient and not envy? Certainly, I need.
Imagine a church where leaders and members want to bless the each other for serving Jesus. It would be a beautiful church. In the Corinth church some members wanted to be respected by others, while others felt that they didn't deserve to be there. Paul wanted them to see themselves as the body of Jesus - where each member has its function and works coordinately with each other. Love is what unifies every one in the church, so that they work coordinately.
In the first century, a woman using a veil in public was showing that she was married. A single respectful woman should use a white ribbon(the vitta) on her hair. Today, a woman uses a ring as such symbol. A woman with an uncovered hair would be seen as a prostitute. In a way, a woman with her hair covered was signaling that she is under authority. Imagine what message would women with her hair uncovered would send to the world at that time! Paul wanted them to show that they should be respected by outsiders.
The church in Corinth was taken the holy communion in a disrespectful way, as they were in a restaurant today. The wealthy people used to eat much more delicacies than the poor in holy communion (the wealthy would drink a very good wine while the poor a bad wine). Paul wanted them to show love (in holy communion) and respect (women with covered hair) for each other in the church.
Some Christians in Corinth thought that they could have a "normal" life in Corinth, i.e., they could consciously eat meat sacrificed to idols with their friends while sharing the holy communion in church. At that time, meat was a delicacy which was commonly sacrificed to idols. As a delicacy, people would meat when doing business, or meeting their family to commemorate something. Paul argued that "love" is above "freedom in Jesus"; so they recommend them to refrain on scandalizing others. The law per se is not what should guide the life of Christians. Perhaps, looking only the law, the meat per se is not bad because a meat is not changed into other thing when sacrificed to idols. Although we don't face the problem of meat sacrificed to idols nowadays, we must ask: "What then should be our basis of conduct?" Paul says:
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God. 32 Do not offend Jews or Greeks, or the church of God; 33 just as I also please everyone in all things, not seeking my own benefit but the benefit of the many, so that they may be saved.
Paul was the missionary who spread the Word to the Corinthians, but the church began to think of Paul as someone with less authority than Peter and other disciples. The church was not financially taking care of Paul and Barnabas. Paul argued that it would be desirable that the church took care of him because he worked for them; however, he continued, he is working for Jesus, so he wouldn't charge for his service.
What is the purpose of Paul with this discussion? He shows that he cares for the church and not for his money; besides, it is very important that the church understands Paul's authority to value the gospel.
Who is important to the Corinthian church? Paul wanted that they understood his love for them and mainly his love for Jesus so that they would listen to him.
In the first century, it was very common that meat bought in the market was a leftover from sacrifices to idols. A believer does not want to have anything to idols but could he eat meat that was sacrificed to idols (a very common situation)? The Corinthians were divided. Some argued that they could eat because meat is just meat and they were not worshiping any idol by eating meat. Paul agreed on that, but he said:
1 Now concerning food sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes one conceited, but love edifies people.
He said that it is better to restrain from eating meat sacrificed to idol for the sake of another Christian that hasn't this understanding. Paul said that love (for a weaker brother) is above the comfort (of eating meat).
A selfish guy doesn't have the freedom to restrain his comfort for the sake of another person. May we have this freedom.
While some members had immoral sexual relations, others, went to another idea: don't have sex even with his spouse. They asked Paul about it. Paul answered in a balanced way: sex in marriage is to please the spouse. Although "no sex" seems much more spiritual, in fact, one's body is not his own; it belongs to the spouse. Paul recommend that in a marriage with a non believer, the Christian must remain the marriage, so that the Christians blesses the non believer.
The Christian must be guided by love and not by self interest. Sometimes, a great ascetic decision as "no sex" must seem beautiful, but it may be a disguised selfish decision. The Christian must not be concerned about himself but be concerned to praise the Lord.
