Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Charity » The attributes of charity
I now want to reply to the matter of idolatrous sacrifices [which you wrote to me about]. We know that we all possess knowledge. [Note: This may be a statement posed to Paul by the Corinthians, who seemed quite preoccupied with "knowledge"]. Knowledge [only] makes people arrogant, while love builds them up [spiritually].
[Note: The following traits should be understood in the context of love for people]. Love is patient [with people], and is kind [to them]; love does not envy [what people are or have]; love does not boast [of being superior to others], it is not arrogant [in dealing with people]. [Love] does not act improperly [toward people]; it does not insist on having its own way [at the expense of others]; it is not easily irritated [by others]; it does not keep track of the wrongs [done by others]. [Love] is not glad about the evil [that people do], but is glad about the truth [i.e., the good in their lives]. read more.
[Love] conceals all [people's] faults; it believes [the best about] all people; it hopes [for the best in] all people; it endures [ill treatment from] all people. Love will never cease. But though there are [now supernatural gifts of] prophecies, [someday] they will be abolished [i.e., such gifts will cease to be exercised]. Though there are [now supernatural gifts of] languages, [someday] they will stop [i.e., such gifts will cease to be exercised]. Though there is [now the supernatural gift of] knowledge, [someday] it will be abolished [i.e., this gift will cease to be exercised]. For [now] we have partial knowledge and partial prophetic messages, but when that which is complete comes [i.e., the full revelation of God's will, contained in the New Testament Scriptures], then the partial will be abolished [i.e., the supernatural gifts, which provided only part of the revealed will of God, will cease to be exercised]. When I was a child I spoke, thought and reasoned like a child. But now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. [Note: Paul uses an analogy to illustrate that the church made use of the supernatural gifts in its infancy, but that these would no longer be needed when it matured]. For now [i.e., during the church's infant state] we see in a mirror [Note: God's word is elsewhere likened to a mirror. See James 1:22-25] indistinctly [i.e., because of having only partial knowledge and prophecy], but then [i.e., when the church matures and has the completed Scriptures], we will see face to face [i.e., clearly]. Now I have [only] partial knowledge, but then I will have full knowledge, just as [God has] full knowledge of me. But now [i.e., since the temporary gifts are to pass away], these three things remain: faith, hope and love; and the most important of them is love.
[Love] conceals all [people's] faults; it believes [the best about] all people; it hopes [for the best in] all people; it endures [ill treatment from] all people. Love will never cease. But though there are [now supernatural gifts of] prophecies, [someday] they will be abolished [i.e., such gifts will cease to be exercised]. Though there are [now supernatural gifts of] languages, [someday] they will stop [i.e., such gifts will cease to be exercised]. Though there is [now the supernatural gift of] knowledge, [someday] it will be abolished [i.e., this gift will cease to be exercised]. For [now] we have partial knowledge and partial prophetic messages, but when that which is complete comes [i.e., the full revelation of God's will, contained in the New Testament Scriptures], then the partial will be abolished [i.e., the supernatural gifts, which provided only part of the revealed will of God, will cease to be exercised]. When I was a child I spoke, thought and reasoned like a child. But now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. [Note: Paul uses an analogy to illustrate that the church made use of the supernatural gifts in its infancy, but that these would no longer be needed when it matured]. For now [i.e., during the church's infant state] we see in a mirror [Note: God's word is elsewhere likened to a mirror. See James 1:22-25] indistinctly [i.e., because of having only partial knowledge and prophecy], but then [i.e., when the church matures and has the completed Scriptures], we will see face to face [i.e., clearly]. Now I have [only] partial knowledge, but then I will have full knowledge, just as [God has] full knowledge of me. But now [i.e., since the temporary gifts are to pass away], these three things remain: faith, hope and love; and the most important of them is love.
But the end of everything [as far as your lives are concerned] is near, so be sensible, and sober [so as to be] prayerful. Above everything else, have a warm love for one another, for such a love keeps many sins from occurring [between you]. Extend hospitality to one another without complaining [that you have to].
Guests » Hospitality to » The duty of
having a reputation for doing good deeds, [such as] bringing up children, showing hospitality to strangers, washing the feet of the saints [i.e., God's holy people], assisting people in trouble and devoting herself to doing all [other] kinds of good deeds.
Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of [only] one wife, sober-minded [Note: When this word, used here figuratively, is used in its literal sense, it means to abstain from intoxicating drinks], sensible, respectable, hospitable, capable of teaching.
Verse Concepts
FaultsFaith, As A Body Of Beliefselders, in the churchBlamelessness, Church MinistersChurch Authority, Of EldarsReproachTeachersLove, In RelationshipsHospitality, A Duty Of God's PeopleMinistry, In The ChurchMonogamyPolygamyPreaching, Importance OfSelf ControlWatchfulness, Of LeadersConduct, ProperMaterialism
Contribute to the needs of God's people. Be eager in showing hospitality.
[He must be] hospitable, someone who loves what is good, sensible, upright, devout and self-controlled.
Do not forget to show hospitality toward strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without realizing it.
Extend hospitality to one another without complaining [that you have to].
Ministers » Hospitality to » The duty of
having a reputation for doing good deeds, [such as] bringing up children, showing hospitality to strangers, washing the feet of the saints [i.e., God's holy people], assisting people in trouble and devoting herself to doing all [other] kinds of good deeds.
Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of [only] one wife, sober-minded [Note: When this word, used here figuratively, is used in its literal sense, it means to abstain from intoxicating drinks], sensible, respectable, hospitable, capable of teaching.
Verse Concepts
FaultsFaith, As A Body Of Beliefselders, in the churchBlamelessness, Church MinistersChurch Authority, Of EldarsReproachTeachersLove, In RelationshipsHospitality, A Duty Of God's PeopleMinistry, In The ChurchMonogamyPolygamyPreaching, Importance OfSelf ControlWatchfulness, Of LeadersConduct, ProperMaterialism
Contribute to the needs of God's people. Be eager in showing hospitality.
[He must be] hospitable, someone who loves what is good, sensible, upright, devout and self-controlled.
Do not forget to show hospitality toward strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without realizing it.
Extend hospitality to one another without complaining [that you have to].
Social life » Hospitality » The duty of
having a reputation for doing good deeds, [such as] bringing up children, showing hospitality to strangers, washing the feet of the saints [i.e., God's holy people], assisting people in trouble and devoting herself to doing all [other] kinds of good deeds.
Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of [only] one wife, sober-minded [Note: When this word, used here figuratively, is used in its literal sense, it means to abstain from intoxicating drinks], sensible, respectable, hospitable, capable of teaching.
Verse Concepts
FaultsFaith, As A Body Of Beliefselders, in the churchBlamelessness, Church MinistersChurch Authority, Of EldarsReproachTeachersLove, In RelationshipsHospitality, A Duty Of God's PeopleMinistry, In The ChurchMonogamyPolygamyPreaching, Importance OfSelf ControlWatchfulness, Of LeadersConduct, ProperMaterialism
Contribute to the needs of God's people. Be eager in showing hospitality.
[He must be] hospitable, someone who loves what is good, sensible, upright, devout and self-controlled.
Do not forget to show hospitality toward strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without realizing it.
Extend hospitality to one another without complaining [that you have to].
Travellers » Hospitality to » Hospitality to, the duty of
having a reputation for doing good deeds, [such as] bringing up children, showing hospitality to strangers, washing the feet of the saints [i.e., God's holy people], assisting people in trouble and devoting herself to doing all [other] kinds of good deeds.
Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of [only] one wife, sober-minded [Note: When this word, used here figuratively, is used in its literal sense, it means to abstain from intoxicating drinks], sensible, respectable, hospitable, capable of teaching.
Verse Concepts
FaultsFaith, As A Body Of Beliefselders, in the churchBlamelessness, Church MinistersChurch Authority, Of EldarsReproachTeachersLove, In RelationshipsHospitality, A Duty Of God's PeopleMinistry, In The ChurchMonogamyPolygamyPreaching, Importance OfSelf ControlWatchfulness, Of LeadersConduct, ProperMaterialism
Contribute to the needs of God's people. Be eager in showing hospitality.
[He must be] hospitable, someone who loves what is good, sensible, upright, devout and self-controlled.
Do not forget to show hospitality toward strangers, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without realizing it.
Extend hospitality to one another without complaining [that you have to].