1 Corinthians 13: “Love Never Fails”
This Communion reflection considers Paul’s “love chapter” (1 Corinthians 13) and the familiar words, “Love never fails.” By placing Jesus’ name into the passage, it points to the cross as the clearest display of never-failing love and calls the church to model that love.
- Paul’s description of love in 1 Corinthians 13 sets an ideal we cannot fulfill perfectly on our own.
- Only Jesus truly fits the description of never-failing love, supremely shown at the cross.
- At Communion, believers remember Christ’s sacrifice and encourage one another to testify to that love.
By Doug Redford
Love’s Standard in 1 Corinthians 13
With Valentine’s Day approaching, it’s only right to give some thought to the contents of the Bible’s “love chapter,” 1 Corinthians 13. Paul’s analysis of love is found in verses 4-7 of the chapter and in the opening statement of verse 8: “Love never fails.” Sometimes you hear Paul’s definition of love used in a wedding ceremony as a man and a woman pledge their love to each other. And it certainly is a worthy ideal to strive for in a marriage. One could say that if a couple puts this kind of love first, they will make a marriage last.
Putting Our Names in the Passage
What would happen if any one of us were to substitute his or her name where we read the word “love” in Paul’s definition? We would not have to read very far until we would feel quite embarrassed. Take the first statement, “Love is patient,” and put your name in place of the word “love.” Each of us can think of numerous times when we were anything but patient, perhaps including some examples from not that long ago! And when we get to the end and read the words “Love never fails,” there’s no way our names could ever go there. All of us would have to give ourselves a failing grade when measured against Paul’s love language.
Jesus and the Never-Failing Love
There’s really only one name that fits in place of the word “love,” and that name is Jesus. Jesus exhibited love in so many ways, on virtually every page of the Gospel records. But the cross is where Jesus supremely exemplified every detail within Paul’s description.
Let’s reread the passage from 1 Corinthians 13 (New International Version) as follows:
“Jesus is patient, Jesus is kind. Jesus does not envy, Jesus does not boast, Jesus is not proud. Jesus does not dishonor others, Jesus is not self-seeking, Jesus is not easily angered, Jesus keeps no record of wrongs. Jesus does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Jesus always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Jesus never fails.”
Here at this time of Communion, we gather to remember and honor the never-failing Jesus, who, despite our many, many failures, died for us. And we also gather to encourage one another in modeling and testifying of that love before a culture that, despite all its talk of love, has wandered farther from it than ever before and desperately needs it.
Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities arise.
Author: Doug Redford
Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities arise.
