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1 Corinthians 13:11-12
The Apostle Paul has been teaching the congregation of the church at Corinth about spiritual gifts, and of which is most important. In 1 Corinthians 13:11-12 it may very well be possible that Paul calling out the “saints” of the church at Corinth to put aside childish arguments; to put an end to the “divisions” among them as he addresses this letter in 1 Corinthians 1:2; 10 (NKJV). They may have been arguing about who obtained the greatest spiritual gift/or which was the greatest spiritual gift. Paul instructs in 1 Corinthians 13:11, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” This verse comes immediately after Paul explains that to whatever gift one is given from God, it is nothing without love, and as God is love, it is the working of God through His Holy Spirit in all gifts He gives to those who will put their trust and faith in Him. The point is that no one gift is greater than another as all gifts of the Spirit work together in love to edify the church and bring glory to God – not to man (1 Corinthians 10:23).
Paul then explains that as the things of God are only seen in part, as looking in a mirror, the day will come when understanding as God understands will become known when we enter His kingdom of heaven and all things will then become known as God knows. Oh, what a glorious day that will be!
This is a command to put aside childish divisions within the church and work to be “one” in Christ Jesus.
We, as Christians, are still human beings. We are still prone to strive to be the best that we can be and sometimes that means striving as an individual instead of working together as a team. The Bible teaches us in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.” And in Ecclesiastes 4:12 we learn, “Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” We should not be competing with one another with intentions of proving one’s gift better than another, but that God gave us the spiritual gifts that He did, and put us around the people that He did, so that we can work together and lift one another up – in Christ!
Dear LORD,
We are living on bits and pieces of information that we may glean and learn of a time when we will know as You know – fully and complete when we enter your presence. Please help us to work together to bring glory to You through our lives, working together – in Christ. In Jesus name I pray, amen.