The Motive of Love 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13

click to Read the passage: I Corinthians 13  (a new browser window will open)

Love is a gift. It is received from the Lord. We can receive more of it as we need it.

V 1 1) Love is God's tuning instrument.

( ... sounding bronze, or a tinkling cymbal. )

The gong was a big noise maker - used to draw attention.

V 2 2) Love is the substance to giving and serving.

( And though I have the gift of prophecy, ... and have not love, I am nothing. )

V 3, 4 3) Love has no motive of personal gain.

( ... love vaunteth not itself, ... )

V 4¬7 4) Love embraces every human relationship.

( Doth not behave itself unseemly, )

V 5, 6 5) Love stays in harmony with God's truth.

... ( Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; )

Love is not some sugar coated covering to make man feel better about himself or to 

explain away sin.

V 7, 8 6) Love is not a quitter.

( Beareth all things, ... Love never faileth; )

V 13 7) Love is God's expression.

( ••• but the greatest of these is love. )