Chapter 13
The
necessity and advantage of the grace of love
|
1–3
|
Its
excellency represented by its properties and effects
|
4–7
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and
by its abiding, and its superiority
|
8–13
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Verses 1–3
The
excellent way had in view in the close of the former chapter, is not what is
meant by charity in our common use of the word, almsgiving, but love in its
fullest meaning; true love to God and man. Without this, the most glorious
gifts are of no account to us, of no esteem in the sight of God. A clear head
and a deep understanding, are of no value without a benevolent and charitable
heart. There may be an open and lavish hand, where there is not a liberal and
charitable heart. Doing good to others will do none to us, if it be not done
from love to God, and good-will to men. If we give away all we have, while we
withhold the heart from God, it will not profit. Nor even the most painful
sufferings. How are those deluded who look for acceptance and reward for their
good works, which are as scanty and defective as they are corrupt and selfish!
Verses 4–7
Some of
the effects of charity are stated, that we may know whether we have this grace;
and that if we have not, we may not rest till we have it. This love is a clear
proof of regeneration, and is a touchstone of our professed faith in Christ. In
this beautiful description of the nature and effects of love, it is meant to
show the Corinthians that their conduct had, in many respects, been a contrast
to it. Charity is an utter enemy to selfishness; it does not desire or seek its
own praise, or honour, or profit, or pleasure. Not that charity destroys all
regard to ourselves, or that the charitable man should neglect himself and all
his interests. But charity never seeks its own to the hurt of others, or to
neglect others. It ever prefers the welfare of others to its private advantage.
How good-natured and amiable is Christian charity! How excellent would
Christianity appear to the world, if those who profess it were more under this
Divine principle, and paid due regard to the command on which its blessed
Author laid the chief stress! Let us ask whether this Divine love dwells in our
hearts. Has this principle guided us into becoming behaviour to all men? Are we
willing to lay aside selfish objects and aims? Here is a call to watchfulness,
diligence, and prayer.
Verses 8–13
Charity is
much to be preferred to the gifts on which the Corinthians prided themselves.
From its longer continuance. It is a grace, lasting as eternity. The present
state is a state of childhood, the future that of manhood. Such is the
difference between earth and heaven. What narrow views, what confused notions
of things, have children when compared with grown men! Thus shall we think of
our most valued gifts of this world, when we come to heaven. All things are
dark and confused now, compared with what they will be hereafter. They can only
be seen as by the reflection in a mirror, or in the description of a riddle;
but hereafter our knowledge will be free from all obscurity and error. It is
the light of heaven only, that will remove all clouds and darkness that hide
the face of God from us. To sum up the excellences of charity, it is preferred
not only to gifts, but to other graces, to faith and hope. Faith fixes on the
Divine revelation, and assents thereto, relying on the Divine Redeemer. Hope
fastens on future happiness, and waits for that; but in heaven, faith will be
swallowed up in actual sight, and hope in enjoyment. There is no room to believe
and hope, when we see and enjoy. But there, love will be made perfect. There we
shall perfectly love God. And there we shall perfectly love one another.
Blessed state! how much surpassing the best below! God is love, 1Jo 4:8, 16.
Where God is to be seen as he is, and face to face, there charity is in its
greatest height; there only will it be perfected.
Excerpt from:
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible
Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
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