oh, you know... you've heard it at every wedding you've ever been to.
In fact, on Sunday, when Cody said, "Raise your hand if this verse was read at your wedding," nearly all the married folk raised their hands.
It's 1 Corinthians 13 (Common English) and it's often taken out of context. Here it is, in its entirety:
If I speak in tongues of human beings and of angels but I don’t have love, I’m a clanging gong or a clashing cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and I know all the mysteries and everything else, and if I have such complete faith that I can move mountains but I don’t have love, I’m nothing. If I give away everything that I have and hand over my own body to feel good about what I’ve done but I don’t have love, I receive no benefit whatsoever.
Love is patient, love is kind, it isn’t jealous, it doesn’t brag, it isn’t arrogant, it isn’t rude, it doesn’t seek its own advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints, it isn’t happy with injustice, but it is happy with the truth. Love puts up with all things, trusts in all things, hopes for all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. As for prophecies, they will be brought to an end. As for tongues, they will stop. As for knowledge, it will be brought to an end. We know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, what is partial will be brought to an end. When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, reason like a child, think like a child. But now that I have become a man, I’ve put an end to childish things. Now we see a reflection in a mirror; then we will see face-to-face. Now I know partially, but then I will know completely in the same way that I have been completely known. Now faith, hope, and love remain—these three things—and the greatest of these is love.
Nothing was further from Paul’s mind than weddings when he wrote this letter to the Corinthians, who had become obsessed with spiritual gifts or "the abilities of God as expressed through humans," like speaking in tongues, prophesying, impossible knowledge, or martyrdom.
They had become selfish and were using their gifts for manipulation and greed. They were shallow, slanderous, and gossipy. Envious and boastful, empty and vain. In this letter, Paul was telling the Corinthians to behave themselves — to stop making the gifts more significant than they were, and to stop acting as though one gift or one person was more important than another. The Corinthians were using their gifts without love, and acting like children — fighting and hitting each other with their toys. Paul was reprimanding them for their poor behavior.
Love may be the hardest thing in the world to define, but 1 Corinthians 13 shows the importance Paul placed on it. A person may be very gifted in a lot ways, but if they use their gifts in a selfish or harmful manner, the gifts are worthless. There's an old adage that says to "use your powers for good instead of evil." I don't know the origin, but it sounds like something from a Star Wars movie. Nevertheless, it's good advice.
Cody told us about an experience he had as a student/clergy at Dakota Wesleyan University. George McGovern, U.S. Representative/Senator, presidential nominee, and author/historian grew up and lived in Mitchell, South Dakota, just blocks from the college. He was also an alum.
On the occasion of his 60th wedding anniversary to Eleanor Stegeberg McGovern, they had a vow renewal ceremony at the Dakota Wesleyan Chapel. It was attended by a small crowd of students and faculty, who sat on the edge of their seats, witnessing this momentous occasion. It was a simple ceremony and included this scripture from 1 Corinthians 13.
Their 60 year commitment to each other likely hadn't been an easy one... what with political runs, the Vietnam War, the passing of their daughter, and a presidential bid (and no doubt many other personal and family issues that plague all relationships)... but the couple was devoted to their faith and to each other. On that day in 2003, they made that promise again — to love, honor and obey. Love was lived out in their lives in ways beyond understanding.
God IS love. God, our creator, is unconditional love and is deeply infused in our lives. We can be made perfect in love. We can use it as a guide for our lives. We can live up to it and work for it. It's not always easy, but it's always worth it. Seek love and practice love, because love never fails.
And if you want to use this verse for your wedding — if it speaks to you — go right ahead... even if it's original context isn't a perfect fit.
Go. Be. Do.
Written by Kay Weiss, guest blogger
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