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And then； in words which from that day to this have been to men and women a
source of inspiration and encouragement； Paul set forth the importance of
that love which should be cherished by the followers of Christ： 〃Though I
speak with the tongues of men and of angels； and have not charity； I am
become as sounding brass； or a tinkling cymbal。 And though I have the gift
of prophecy； and understand all mysteries； and all knowledge； and though I
have all faith； so that I could remove mountains； and have not charity； I am
nothing。 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor； and though I
give my body to be burned； and have not charity； it profiteth me nothing。〃
No matter how high the profession； he whose heart is not filled with love
for God and his fellow men is not a true disciple of Christ。 Though he
should possess great faith and have power even to work miracles； yet without
love his faith would be worthless。 He might display great liberality； but
should he； from some other motive than
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genuine love； bestow all his goods to feed the poor； the act would not
commend him to the favor of God。 In his zeal he might even meet a martyr's
death； yet if not actuated by love； he would be regarded by God as a deluded
enthusiast or an ambitious hypocrite。
〃Charity suffereth long； and is kind； charity envieth not； charity vaunteth
not itself； is not puffed up。〃 The purest joy springs from the deepest
humiliation。 The strongest and noblest characters are built on the
foundation of patience； love； and submission to God's will。
Charity 〃doth not behave itself unseemly； seeketh not her own； is not easily
provoked； thinketh no evil。〃 Christ…like love places the most favorable
construction on the motives and acts of others。 It does not needlessly
expose their faults； it does not listen eagerly to unfavorable reports； but
seeks rather to bring to mind the good qualities of others。
Love 〃rejoiceth not in iniquity； but rejoiceth in the truth； beareth all
things； believeth all things； hopeth all things； endureth all things。〃 This
love 〃never faileth。〃 It can never lose its value； it is a heavenly
attribute。 As a precious treasure； it will be carried by its possessor
through the portals of the city of God。
〃And now abideth faith； hope； charity； these three； but the greatest of
these is charity。〃
In the lowering of the moral standard among the Corinthian believers； there
were those who had given up some of the fundamental features of their faith。
Some had gone so far as to deny the doctrine of the resurrection。 Paul met
this heresy with a very plain testimony regarding the
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unmistakable evidence of the resurrection of Christ。 He declared that
Christ； after His death； 〃rose again the third day according to the
Scriptures；〃 after which 〃He was seen of Cephas； then of the Twelve： after
that； He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once； of whom the
greater part remain unto this present； but some are fallen asleep。 After
that； He was seen of James； then of all the apostles。 And last of all He was
seen of me also。〃
With convincing power the apostle set forth the great truth of the
resurrection。 〃If there be no resurrection of the dead；〃 he argued； 〃then is
Christ not risen： and if Christ be not risen； then is our preaching vain；
and your faith is also vain。 Yea； and we are found false witnesses of God；
because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ： whom He raised
not up； if so be that the dead rise not。 For if the dead rise not； then is
not Christ raised： and if Christ be not raised； your faith is vain； ye are
yet in your sins。 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are
perished。 If in this life only we have hope in Christ； we are of all men
most miserable。 But now is Christ risen from the dead； and become the first
fruits of them that slept。〃
The apostle carried the minds of the Corinthian brethren forward to the
triumphs of the resurrection morn； when all the sleeping saints are to be
raised； henceforth to live forever with their Lord。 〃Behold；〃 the apostle
declared； 〃I show you a mystery： We shall not all sleep； but we shall all be
changed； in a moment； in the twinkling of an eye； at the last trump： for the
trumpet shall sound； and the dead shall be raised incorruptible； and we
shall be changed。 For this
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corruptible must put on incorruption； and this mortal must put on
immortality。 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption； and
this mortal shall have put on immortality； then shall be brought to pass the
saying that is written； Death is swallowed up in victory。 O death； where is
thy sting？ O grave； where is thy victory？ 。 。 。 Thanks be to God； which
giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ。〃
Glorious is the triumph awaiting the faithful。 The apostle； realizing the
possibilities before the Corinthian believers； sought to set before them
that which uplifts from the selfish and the sensual； and glorifies life with
the hope of immortality。 Earnestly he exhorted them to be true to their high
calling in Christ。 〃My beloved brethren；〃 he pleaded； 〃be ye steadfast；
unmovable； always abounding in the work of the Lord； forasmuch as ye know
that your labor is not in vain in the Lord。〃
Thus the apostle； in the most decided and impressive manner； endeavored to
correct the false and dangerous ideas and practices that were prevailing in
the Corinthian church。 He spoke plainly； yet in love for their souls。 In his
warnings and reproofs； light from the throne of God was shining upon them；
to reveal the hidden sins that were defiling their lives。 How would it be
received？
After the letter had been dispatched； Paul feared lest that which he had
written might wound too deeply those whom he desired to benefit。 He keenly
dreaded a further alienation and sometimes longed to recall his words。 Those
who； like the apostle； have felt a responsibility for beloved
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churches or institutions； can best appreciate his depression of spirit and
self…accusing。 The servants of God who bear the burden of His work for this
time know something of the same experience of labor； conflict； and anxious
care that fell to the lot of the great apostle。 Burdened by divisions in the
church； meeting with ingratitude and betrayal from some to whom he looked
for sympathy and support； realizing the peril of the churches that harbored
iniquity； compelled to bear a close； searching testimony in reproof of sin；
he was at the same time weighed down with fear that he might have dealt with
too great severity。 With trembling anxiety he waited to receive some tidings
as to the reception of his message。
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Chapter 31
The Message Heeded
From Ephesus Paul set forth on another missionary tour； during which he
hoped to visit once more the scenes of his former labors in Europe。 Tarrying
for a time at Troas； 〃to preach Christ's gosp