Other Resources:
Do Prophets Exist Today? - 1 Corinthians 14
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Monday, April 27, 2026
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
1 Corinthians 13
The Character of Love
https://youtu.be/SfAXOfpotTo
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INITIAL SUMMARY:
Paul opens by establishing that spiritual accomplishments—eloquent speech, prophetic insight, comprehensive knowledge, mountain-moving faith, and sacrificial giving—amount to nothing without love. (1 Corinthians 13) This opening salvo reframes the Corinthians’ obsession with spiritual gifts by insisting that love takes precedence over tongues, prophecy, knowledge, and faith.
Paul then catalogs love’s characteristics: patience, kindness, freedom from envy and boasting, humility, respect for others, selflessness, emotional restraint, forgiveness, opposition to evil, alignment with truth, and unwavering protection, trust, hope, and perseverance. (1 Corinthians 13) Rather than defining love abstractly, Paul describes what love actively does—a practical orientation suited to the community’s relational conflicts.
The chapter’s final movement addresses the theme of permanence. While love endures forever, prophecies will cease, tongues will fall silent, and knowledge will fade away. (1 Corinthians 13) Paul illustrates this through maturation—childhood understanding gives way to adult comprehension—and through vision: currently we glimpse God dimly as through a mirror, but eventually we’ll encounter Him directly and know ourselves fully as we are known. (1 Corinthians 13) The chapter concludes by affirming that faith, hope, and love endure, with love standing supreme. (1 Corinthians 13)
Theologically, Paul presents love as both the present reality of Christian existence—rooted in Christ’s cross and resurrection—and the anticipated future when love reaches perfection. The chapter functions as the interpretive key not only for understanding spiritual gifts but for resolving the divisions fragmenting the Corinthian congregation.
OPEN:
What was one of your favorite love songs when you were a teenager?
When in your life have you felt the most loved?
DIG:
Given the Corinthians' quest for spiritual gifts and power, what is Paul's point in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3? What have you done that has become a substitute for really loving others?
In what ways has God loved you according to the qualities of love you found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8? What have you done lately that is an example of what love is not?
Have you ever done a religious act without love? What was it like?
REFLECT:
In your opinion, what is the best way to develop the ability to love others?
How does 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 help to put your church in perspective? Your personal life?
What does it mean to you that you will see Jesus face-to-face?
1 CORINTHIANS 13
This is the famous love chapter.
I. The Importance of Love (13:1–3)
A. The gift of tongues is useless without it (13:1).
B. The gift of prophecy is useless without it (13:2a).
C. The gift of knowledge is useless without it (13:2b).
D. The gift of faith is useless without it (13:2c).
E. The gift of giving is useless without it (13:3).
II. The Impeccability of Love (13:4–7)
A. In relation to saints (13:4a): It is patient and kind, not jealous.
B. In relation to self (13:4b–5a): It is not boastful, proud, or rude, and it never seeks its own way.
C. In relation to sin (13:5b–6): It is not irritable, nor does it keep a record of wrongs; it is never glad about injustice or unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth.
D. In relation to situations (13:7): It never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
III. The Indestructibility of Love (13:8–12)
A. Unlike the other gifts, love is permanent (13:8).
1. Prophecy will cease (13:8a).
2. Tongues will cease (13:8b).
3. Knowledge will cease (13:8c).
B. Unlike other gifts, love is complete (13:9–12): Paul offers two illustrations.
1. The child/adult illustration (13:9–11)
a. The gifts, if used without love, may be likened to the attitudes and actions of an immature child (13:9–11a).
b. Love may be likened to the attitudes and actions of a mature adult (13:11b).
2. The mirror/face-to-face illustration (13:12)
a. In the present, through the gifts, we see but a mirror-like reflection of God (13:12a).
b. In the future, through love, we will see God face-to-face (13:12b).
IV. The Invincibility of Love (13:13)
A. Faith and hope are among God’s greatest gifts (13:13a).
B. Love is God’s greatest gift (13:13b).
When the Perfect Comes: Understanding 1 Corinthians 13:10 and Spiritual Gifts
In this episode of the Radically Christian Podcast, Wes McAdams joins Austin McCrickard and Nate Miller on their show The Thinking Kingdom Podcast to discuss 1 Corinthians 13 (often called the “love chapter”). They focus particularly on verse 10, where Paul says, “When the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.” The conversation explores what Paul meant by “the perfect,” how the passage fits within the larger context of 1 Corinthians 12–14, and how Christians today should understand spiritual gifts in light of love being the ultimate goal.
Wes explains that the Corinthian church had been divided and worldly, using their spiritual gifts—such as prophecy and tongues—for self-promotion rather than for the common good. Paul’s corrective was to teach a “cruciform way of thinking,” where love, not power or eloquence, defines spiritual maturity. Extraordinary gifts were temporary, serving a purpose in the early church, but love, faith, and hope endure. Paul’s message, Wes argues, is not about when or how gifts will cease, but about how Christians must use their gifts in love and unity.
Wes concludes that regardless of how someone interprets “the perfect,” Paul’s point remains: love is the measure of Christian maturity. He cautions against forcing passages to say what we want merely to guard against theological extremes, noting that the Spirit equips each generation according to its needs, and the permanence of love outlasts all temporary gifts.
The Way of Love
The Character of Love
https://youtu.be/SfAXOfpotTo
Other Resources:
Love - we tackle one of the most important topics in the Bible, LOVE! We also discuss how God values love above all else! 1 Corinthians 13
Love Accepts All Things
Love... always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:7 (NIV)
Love... bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7 (NKJV)
Wouldn't it be nice if love were like a cafeteria line? What if you could look at the person with whom you live and select what you want and pass on what you don’t? What if parents could do this with kids? “I’ll take a plate of good grades and cute smiles, and I’m passing on the teenage identity crisis and tuition bills.”
What if kids could do the same with parents? “Please give me a helping of allowances and free lodging, but no rules or curfews, thank you.”
And spouse with spouse? “H’m, how about a bowl of good health and good moods. But job transfers, in-laws, and laundry are not on my diet.”
Wouldn't it be great if love were like a cafeteria line? It would be easier. It would be neater. It would be painless and peaceful. But you know what? It wouldn't be love. Love doesn't accept just a few things. Love is willing to accept all things.
“Love is willing to accept all things.” Do you find this difficult? Why?
What’s Most Important
At the age of 72, Randy Long figured it was time to clean out his Montgomery, Alabama, garage. In one white five-gallon bucket, he found about three dozen old baseballs. These were relics of his younger days, tossing batting practice for his son and then his grandson. But the boys are grown and gone now, so Randy thought somebody else might enjoy them. He wrote out a quick note and then took the stuff to a nearby batting cage, where he left the bucket and its contents.
Under the heading, “Free,” the note read: “Hope someone can use some of these baseballs in the batting cages. I found them cleaning out my garage. I pitched them to my son and grandson for countless rounds. My son is now 46 y/o, and my grandson is 23 y/o. I am 72, and I won’t give to pitch a couple of buckets to them. They have both moved away. If you are a father, cherish these times. You won’t believe how quickly they will be gone. P.S. Give them a hug and tell them you love them every chance you get.” A boy found the baseballs and his family posted the note on Facebook®. Randy Long and his grandson, Ethan Anderson, quickly went viral and have spoken on CNN and ESPN. And although Ethan lives in Birmingham, a couple of hours away, he’s now got plans for more of grandpa’s batting practice. Yogi Berra said, “Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too.”
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV).
As Paul wrote about the use (and abuse) of spiritual gifts in the church, he gave an eloquent plea for ongoing love among the Christians. He knew that faith would one day vanish when Christ returned and hope would be realized in our heavenly redemption. Yet even then love would continue to grow and burnish all of life to a joyous luster. It might not seem like love for a dad to hurl baseballs past his son while the son tries to swing a bat and launch one out of play. Connected by a game, though, the two develop a bond forged in common experience and shared times. In the minutes of rest and cleanup, priceless conversations occur where wisdom and understanding shuttles between them.
One of the many reasons for the superiority of love in the church is that “side-effect” of wisdom and understanding. When we spend time with each other, learning from each other and enjoying each other’s company, we learn how unimportant are the world’s hysterical passions. Right now, white-hot political harangues and panicky virus hectoring threaten to shred relations between friends and family. Next year, both of these “crises” will be history. We can’t let loving relationships be history, too. Time will quickly be gone from us. None of us wants a hollow nostalgia for the way things used to be. By being people of genuine love for one another we will not only fulfill our Lord’s command, we will also avoid twilight regrets over opportunities missed. Only people last into eternity; that’s why faith and hope will fade but love will never fail. God so loved that He sent His Son . . .
At the age of 72, Randy Long figured it was time to clean out his Montgomery, Alabama, garage. In one white five-gallon bucket, he found about three dozen old baseballs. These were relics of his younger days, tossing batting practice for his son and then his grandson. But the boys are grown and gone now, so Randy thought somebody else might enjoy them. He wrote out a quick note and then took the stuff to a nearby batting cage, where he left the bucket and its contents.
Under the heading, “Free,” the note read: “Hope someone can use some of these baseballs in the batting cages. I found them cleaning out my garage. I pitched them to my son and grandson for countless rounds. My son is now 46 y/o, and my grandson is 23 y/o. I am 72, and I won’t give to pitch a couple of buckets to them. They have both moved away. If you are a father, cherish these times. You won’t believe how quickly they will be gone. P.S. Give them a hug and tell them you love them every chance you get.” A boy found the baseballs and his family posted the note on Facebook®. Randy Long and his grandson, Ethan Anderson, quickly went viral and have spoken on CNN and ESPN. And although Ethan lives in Birmingham, a couple of hours away, he’s now got plans for more of grandpa’s batting practice. Yogi Berra said, “Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too.”
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV).
As Paul wrote about the use (and abuse) of spiritual gifts in the church, he gave an eloquent plea for ongoing love among the Christians. He knew that faith would one day vanish when Christ returned and hope would be realized in our heavenly redemption. Yet even then love would continue to grow and burnish all of life to a joyous luster. It might not seem like love for a dad to hurl baseballs past his son while the son tries to swing a bat and launch one out of play. Connected by a game, though, the two develop a bond forged in common experience and shared times. In the minutes of rest and cleanup, priceless conversations occur where wisdom and understanding shuttles between them.
One of the many reasons for the superiority of love in the church is that “side-effect” of wisdom and understanding. When we spend time with each other, learning from each other and enjoying each other’s company, we learn how unimportant are the world’s hysterical passions. Right now, white-hot political harangues and panicky virus hectoring threaten to shred relations between friends and family. Next year, both of these “crises” will be history. We can’t let loving relationships be history, too. Time will quickly be gone from us. None of us wants a hollow nostalgia for the way things used to be. By being people of genuine love for one another we will not only fulfill our Lord’s command, we will also avoid twilight regrets over opportunities missed. Only people last into eternity; that’s why faith and hope will fade but love will never fail. God so loved that He sent His Son . . .
Friday, April 24, 2026
1 Corinthians 12:12-31
1 Corinthians 12:12-31
OPEN:
- What is one skill you secretly possess?
DIG:
- Why is 1 Corinthians 12:12 such a good illustration of 1 Corinthians 12:13?
- What could be an example of a "weaker" part of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:22)? Of a "less honorable" part (1 Corinthians 12:23)? Of a "presentable" part (1 Corinthians 12:24)? Does each receive the treatment it should in your church?
- From Paul's rhetorical questions in 1 Corinthians 12:29-30, what is another problem in this church?
REFLECT:
- Regardless of your church's doctrinal position, what attitudes toward spiritual gifts dominate: (a) For clergy only? (b) For all believers? (c) For the good of others? (d) For the first-century church only? (e) For believers who have a post-conversion experience? (f) More spiritual gifts for the more spiritually mature?
- How do these verses make you feel about your place in the body of Christ? About your need for others?
- Take turns affirming each person in the group with which spiritual gifts and Christ-like qualities you have noticed in them.
Moving To Maturity - Support the Church
Support the Church
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
He is...
- What do we learn about God?
We are ...
- What do we learn about people?
I will...
- What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage?
- How will you apply it to your life this week?
You can...
- Who do you know who needs to hear this?
Service
- How can we help with a challenge you’re facing?
Other Resources:
Love we tackle one of the most important topics in the Bible, LOVE! We also discuss how God values love above all else! 1 Corinthians 13
Thursday, April 23, 2026
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
INITIAL SUMMARY:
Paul opens by addressing the Corinthians’ questions about spiritual gifts, explaining that while the Spirit distributes different kinds of gifts, they all come from the same source. (1 Cor 12) He establishes a foundational criterion: genuine Spirit-speaking affirms Jesus as Lord, while anything cursing Jesus cannot come from God’s Spirit. (1 Cor 12)
The chapter catalogs various manifestations of the Spirit’s work—wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment of spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpreting tongues. (1 Cor 12) Crucially, Paul emphasizes that each person receives these gifts “for the common good” (1 Cor 12), establishing that individual spiritual experiences serve communal benefit rather than personal status.
The second half shifts to the body metaphor. Just as a physical body contains many parts yet functions as one unified whole, so Christ’s body operates through diversity unified by baptism in the one Spirit. (1 Cor 12) Through hypothetical scenarios—a foot claiming it doesn’t belong because it isn’t a hand, or an ear claiming the same about not being an eye—Paul counters the notion that different roles diminish one’s membership in the body. (1 Cor 12) Paul emphasizes that God assigns greater honor to the weaker and less visible parts, challenging believers to adopt divine values rather than cultural hierarchies.
Paul insists that spectacular gifts don’t confer spiritual status; instead, the Holy Spirit sovereignly distributes gifts for community benefit, with authenticity measured by whether a gift promotes Christ’s Lordship and builds up the whole community. The chapter concludes by listing various roles—apostles, prophets, and teachers—either ranked by importance or significance for establishing the church.
OPEN:
- What was the most fulfilling job you ever had?
DIG:
- What was life like when you first began to believe that "Jesus is Lord"?
- 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 indicates that some Corinthians felt certain spiritual gifts were better than others. Have you ever encountered a similar attitude? In yourself?
- How is the diversity of the gifts related to the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit?
REFLECT:
- Of the spiritual gifts listed, which have you received? Is this list all-inclusive?
- How have you used your gift for the common good? Have you ever seen a spiritual gift not used for the common good?
Other Resources:
Using Our Spiritual Gifts - we look at how God has blessed us each with spiritual gifts, and we outline 4 steps we can take to put those gifts to work. = 1 Corinthians 12
HOW DO YOU KNOW?
“Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:1-3
How do we find out our spiritual gift(s)? A common approach is that we should examine ourselves, discern our God-given strengths and abilities, and dedicate these as gifts from the Spirit to service in God’s kingdom. Many even have Spiritual Gift Inventory tests that can be taken. These can be valuable, however, if this is the only way that we can find out our spiritual gifts, why didn’t God give us free of charge tests in His Word?
One mistake is to equate natural gifts with spiritual gifts. Most of us have things in our lives that are gifts that were evident from birth. Saw this in them from a young age. Most people were born with natural endowments, whether they are Christians or not. People can use these things for good or for evil, as seen throughout history. The fact that such inclinations, tendencies, or talents are present does not make them spiritual gifts. At best, we may call them providential gifts. God, in his general providence, has permitted such talents to be present and/or developed. This does not constitute spiritual giftedness.
One key to identifying one’s spiritual gift is to be called by the Spirit into a particular task, office, or area of service. In Bible times, when God gave direct revelation, such a calling was clear, like to Moses in Exodus 3, and Saul of Tarsus in Acts 9. People do not have natural abilities to do supernatural things. Moses did not grow up parting the Nile River.
Thought of the Day: Often, we can expect the Spirit to call someone who already has some ability in that area. When this happens, the role of the Spirit is to enhance, sharpen, and focus that talent for the task.Wednesday, April 22, 2026
1 Corinthians 11:17-34
1 Corinthians 11:17-34
OPEN:
1 CORINTHIANS 11
Paul describes just how children of God should conduct themselves in the house of God.
Guidance concerning Communion (11:17–34): The Corinthian believers are not observing the Lord’s Table as they should.
A. The perversion (11:17–22)
1. They separate into their own little groups (11:17–20).
2. They share with no one else (11:21–22).
B. The pattern (11:23–25): Paul describes the original Lord’s Supper as conducted by Jesus in the upper room.
1. What the Savior did (11:23, 25a)
a. He held up the bread (11:23).
b. He held up the cup (11:25a).
2. What the Savior said (11:24, 25b)
a. Concerning the bread (11:24): “This is my body, which is given for you.”
b. Concerning the cup (11:25b): “This cup is the new covenant between God and you, sealed by the shedding of my blood.”
C. The purpose (11:26, 28): Any Lord’s Table involves a threefold look.
1. It serves as a backward look to the cross (11:26a).
2. It serves as an inward look to the conscience (11:28).
3. It serves as a forward look to the crown (11:26b).
D. The penalty (11:27, 29–30): Any believer who partakes in an unworthy manner is guilty and risks punishment.
1. To eat and drink God’s judgment on oneself (11:27–29)
2. To be divinely judged with physical sickness (11:30a)
3. To be divinely judged with physical death (11:30b)
E. The profit (11:31–34)
1. It can be used for judging ourselves (11:31–32).
2. It can be used for giving ourselves (11:33–34).
OPEN:
- What is the biggest party you've ever given? What food and drink did you serve?
DIG:
- How would you describe the scene if you were observing the Lord's Supper at the Corinthian church?
- What changes would the Corinthians need to make to ensure that it really was the "Lord's supper"?
- Have you ever been in a church that was affected by divisions among the members? What happened?
- How do you respond when you hear the words of 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 during Communion?
- What does Paul mean by eating in "an unworthy manner" (1 Corinthians 11:27)? By "not recognizing the body of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 11:29)? By self-examination (1 Corinthians 11:28)? By judging oneself (1 Corinthians 11:31)?
REFLECT:
- When do you tend to approach worship or a part of the worship experience too lightly?
- The poor in Corinth weren't able to participate fully in the Lord's Supper. How do churches today discriminate? How could your church be more inclusive of the types of people where you live?
Other Resources:
Using Our Spiritual Gifts we look at how God has blessed us each with spiritual gifts, and we outline 4 steps we can take to put those gifts to work. 1 Corinthians 12
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
1 Corinthians 11:2-16
1 Corinthians 11:2-16
1 CORINTHIANS 11
Paul describes just how children of God should conduct themselves in the house of God.
I. Guidance concerning Clothing (11:1–16): The desired proper appearance.
A. The pattern (11:1–3)
1. The role model (11:1–2): Paul instructs believers to follow his examples just as he follows Christ’s.
2. The relationships (11:3)
a. The head of the woman is man (11:3b).
b. The head of the man is the Savior (11:3a).
c. The head of the Savior is the Father (11:3c).
B. The parties (11:4–16)
1. Rules concerning the man (11:4, 7–9, 14)
a. His head is to be uncovered (11:4, 7–9).
(1) Demonstrating his relationship to his Savior (11:4, 7)
(2) Demonstrating his relationship to his spouse (11:8–9)
b. His hair is to be cut (11:14).
2. Rules concerning the woman (11:5–6, 10, 13, 15–16)
a. Her head is to be covered (11:5, 10, 13).
(1) Demonstrating her submission to her Savior (11:13)
(2) Demonstrating her submission to her spouse (11:5)
(3) Demonstrating her submission to the angels (11:10)
b. Her hair is not to be cut (11:6, 15–16): It should not be shorn or shaved.
3. Rules concerning both (11:11–12)
a. The woman is not to be independent of the man (11:11).
b. The man is not to be independent of the woman (11:12).
OPEN:
- How did you wear your hair 10 years ago? 20?
DIG:
- In Greek, the word "head" (1 Corinthians 11:3) means "origin." Why was it important for Paul to state the relationship of women to God, Christ and man? How do 1 Corinthians 11:11-12 fit into your answer?
- Paul assumes that women in the Corinthian church will pray and prophesy just as the men do. How do you feel about women leading worship? Have you ever been inspired to worship God because of a woman's efforts?
- Pagan cults in Corinth practiced ecstatic worship, which frequently involved loose hair and nudity. How does this information shed light on the situation in Corinth?
REFLECT:
- Concern for the glory of God, the interdependence of men and women, and sensitivity to the culture are three principles here. How do these principles apply in your church? In your marriage?
Veils: Custom or Command? (I Corinthians 11)
https://youtu.be/XbXawCXKBhY
Other Resources:
Imitating Jesus - we talk about the perfect example of Jesus and how He is: forgiving, peaceful, a teacher, selfless, and obedient. 1 Corinthians 11
THOUGHTS ON WOMEN WEARING A HEAD COVERING DURING WORSHIP 1 Corinthians 11:3-16 is a very difficult passage and widely varying views come from very sincere people forming opposing ideas about it. Because of this passage, some have demanded that women wear some kind of covering in worship services. After careful study of this passage, others feel perfectly free to allow women to worship without a covering. This study attempts to understand the language of this passage. (Quotations are from the NKJV.)
THIS FACT IS THE KEY TO PROPERLY UNDERSTANDING THIS PASSAGE. 6 For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered.
Three final notes: 1. Some have concluded that a woman should not cut her hair. Nothing in this passage suggests that. Verses 5 and 6 say "shaving" the head is a sign of "shame," but say nothing about cutting or trimming the hair. The issue is "long" hair for women and "short" hair for men, a contrast between the sexes.
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1 Corinthians 11 | Worship That Reflects God's Glory | Bible Study
1 Corinthians 11: Understanding Head Coverings
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