Summary of 1co rinthians 8: 1-8 Introduction The city of Corinth was a wealthy trading centre attracting a cosmopolitan population

made up of Greeks, Jews and Romans. Because of the influx of diverse peoples coming in and out of Corinth, moral standards that were considered as inferior by pagan standard was the order of the day. It is in this background that the Corinthian church was established. It is therefore not surprising that the church had so many issues to deal with. The church was divided, full of strife, self centered with low moral values. It is also achuche desirerous of spiritual growth and maturity. They desired spiritual gifts whose manifestation was mirred by their canal attitude. Paul encouraged them to desire spiritual gifts and thought them the purpose of the spiritual gifts which are for the edification and perfecting of the saints for the work of ministry. He also let them know that there is a more excellent way of demonstrating christian maturity than manifesting the spiritual gifts and that is love (agape or divine love). 1 Corinthian 12:31. Love can be defined as a strong devotion, ardent tender, compassionate, devotion to the wellbeing of someone. In 1 Corinthian 13:1-8. Paul taught the church the importance of love and its characteristics. 1 corinthian 13:1-3 NKJV 1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2. 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, I am nothing. 3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Here Paul showed that that the gifts of the spirit are valueless unless excersised in love. Speaking in the tongues of men angels would be mere noise like asounding cymbal and a noisy gong, if not inspired by love, that is the type of love which God has for us and in us. He declared that we are nobodies in Christ, if we have not thi love of god inus even thoug we have prophetic powers, understand spiritual truths and mysteries, possess all knowledge and even move mountains with our faith. In essence paul is saying thet our faith and aorks which are not carried out in love will not profit or produce a reward for us and we will end up as ineffective ministers of the gospel. Every actionby us and our living should be donne in love. Effective christia life ca only be lived when the love of God is in operation in our lives. In the old testament, a lot of laws were given to keep the Isrealites in check, but Christ declared that a new commandment he gives us that we love one another as he has loved us. This

adifferent commandment on love that he gave in the old testament i.e. thou shall love the lord thy God with all thine heart, tht soul, and thy stenght, and thy neobough as thyself. This first command is flawed because it is possibl for an individual not love himself since self love is the yard stick to love others. A person may , even hate himself. Therefore we are commanded to love as Christ loved us. This is a sacrificial love, that is independent of our feelings/emotions, and whether the party to be loved deserves it or not. It is an unconditional love. Characteristics of love 1Corinthian 13: 4-8 4. Carity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoyseth in the truth; 7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things, 8. Charity never faileth; but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall seize;whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.