A More Excellent Way

In this message, guest preacher, Rev. Terri Jones, explains how 1 Corinthians 13 was written to a church surrounded by pagan influences that distorted the true meaning of love (e.g. ritual prostitution in the temples of Aphrodite). As these Christians experienced problems in the church and were tempted to return to their old lives, Paul calls them to live a life worthy of their calling to new life in Christ. In order to do this, they needed each other, they needed to build true Christian community, and Paul tells them how to do this in chapter thirteen of 1 Corinthians. Once we understand this contexts, it is clear that this passage of scripture was not written to teach married couples how to treat each other but to teach Christians how to treat each other in the church. Love is the first principle and foundation of Christian community, and if we get this wrong, everything else falls apart.