1 Corinthians 13:11 NASB
When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.
This is one of the most well-known Bible verses, and it speaks of spiritual progress and letting go of things that are no longer fit for those who have achieved a particular level of comprehension of the truth. This verse, I believe, is also crucial to everything Paul is saying to the Corinthian church.
Throughout the epistle to the Corinthians, Paul draws their attention to a number of things they were doing that were wrong in God’s sight. Claims of spiritual superiority over one another, suing one another in public courts, abusing the community meal, and sexual misbehavior were among the many difficulties in the Corinthian church. The objective of Paul’s letter to them was to demand greater ethical and moral standards, as well as to call them to “a yet more excellent way.”1 Corinthians 12:31 NASB
To comprehend what Paul means in this verse, we must first evaluate what he said in chapters 12, 13, and 14. Paul begins Chapter 12 by stating that he does not want the Corinthians to be ignorant of the Spiritual Gifts. He also argues that everyone who declares Jesus to be the Lord does so under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
Then he begins to call everyone to recognize that there are different kinds of (spiritual) gifts, different kinds of ministries, and different ways those ministries’ function, but (and this is crucial) it is the same God who does all things in all people. In other words, very different Christians can be used by the same God in completely different locations, with completely different ways of performing ministry, and with completely different personalities, and they are all from God, being led by God, and pleased God.
God distributes His gifts in the way He sees fit, and it is the same Spirit (of God) who performs all things in all His people. God brought everyone into one body, from all diverse nations, backgrounds, and social classes, without prejudice or showing partiality as we see in Acts 10:34-35 Voice
“It is clear to me now that God plays no favorites, [35] that God accepts every person whatever his or her culture or ethnic background, that God welcomes all who revere Him and do right.”
Paul then goes on to add that even the less honorable members of the body received abundant honor, and the less presentable He made much more presentable so that there would be no division. If one suffers, all suffer; if one is recognized, all rejoice; and all are called to care for one another equally, regardless of race, social rank, or educational level. None of that matters; what matters is that they comprehend the significance of being one.
Paul says the same thing at the close of chapter 12 and the beginning of chapter 14. Desire spiritual gifts with passion. But then He introduces chapter 13, also known as the love chapter.
In chapter 13, love is portrayed as a highly practical idea within the context of what was going on in the church, rather than a romantic and detached one. Within the church, the Corinthians were contentious and competing with one another. In their arrogance, they used God’s spiritual gifts to exalt themselves above others. They didn’t realize that God is one, that He created one body, and that He meant His body to be one. There is no Paul or Apollo, only Christ Jesus, the cornerstone upon which we all stand.
In 1 Corinthians 14:12 Voice Paul instructs them to use spiritual gifts to strengthen the community of believers. He writes: It’s the same with you; in your passion for spiritual gifts, seek to strengthen the community of believers, and you will all be better off.
And again in 1 Corinthians 14:20 NASB he uses the word children to call the church in Corinth to maturity. He writes: Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
With this background in mind, we can clearly see that 1 Corinthians 13:11 is a call to put away disagreements, competition, bias based on social standing, education, and ethnicity, prideful arrogance, and measuring one’s level of spirituality by the gifts of the Spirit. Paul introduces the most excellent way to the church in Corinth.
Appreciating one another is essential if we are to follow the most excellent way. That’s to help one another grow, work together toward a common goal, and acknowledge and appreciate our unique characteristics. The most excellent way is foolproof, and if someone deviates from it in any way, there will be a loss of significance, a loss on the ability to influence and impact others, and they will not be able to earn honor. According to Paul, even though a person can have all these tremendous spiritual skills and can accomplish whatever they want spiritually, if they don’t follow the most excellent way of love, it’s all for nothing.
A call to Christian maturity is an invitation to love, and a response of love is a fitting response to that call.
1 Corinthians 13:11 NASB
When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.
The absence of love renders all other efforts meaningless. In a world without love, we all become irrelevant. When love isn’t the locomotive carrying our intentions, all else fades in significance.
REMEMBER: Love is the ultimate standard by which godly deeds are judged. Love is for the advantage of others, for the development of others, for the honor of others, and it is the very bond that completes perfection. Love is the glue that holds everything together in harmony. Love is our very mission because God is love and we are called to love!
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