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 may be a subtle criticism of what was happening in the Corinthian church. It is tempting to reach this chapter as timeless. Most people do that and do not consider how this chapter speaks to the problems in Corinth. The Corinthians were acting like children, mere infants in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:1). They thought they were mature but were just the opposite. Their childish ways included bickering, jealousy, ignorance, pride and boasting, and doing what they wanted. It was time for them to mature and leave their childish ways behind. They believed in Jesus. The Holy Spirit was working in their lives. But they were following their own agenda. This was resulting in division, moral compromise, and spiritual elitism.
An adult learns to put the needs of others first. Mature Christians have consecrated their lives totally to Christ as Lord and have allowed the Holy Spirit to teach them the mind of Christ. This requires the obedience of faith: to trust and then to act. The primary way this will be evident is in loving one another. Love will be the sign of Christian maturity. Paul is calling the Corinthians to embrace the way of love. It is the highest gift that the Holy Spirit gives. If they would start with this, everything else would fall into place. They needed to change the overall direction of their individual lives which would impact the whole church. Love is an individual decision but must be lived out in community.
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