Lutheran Lens Commentary: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Lutheran Lens Reading of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Tradition-Specific Interpretation

We read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 through the Lutheran lens as both Law and Gospel. The passage describes love in a way that reveals our inability to fully embody such love—this exposes our sin, highlighting the Law's function. Yet, it also points us to the perfect love of Christ, who fulfills this love on our behalf, delivering the Gospel. This love is not something we muster from within but something we receive from Christ, who loves us with this perfect love, thus transforming our lives through the means of grace.

Key Language Decisions

The Greek terms like 'agape' (ἀγάπη) emphasize a self-giving, sacrificial love, which aligns with our understanding of Christ's love for us. Words such as 'patient' (μακροθυμεῖ) and 'kind' (χρηστεύεται) highlight characteristics we fail to achieve on our own, thereby illuminating the Law's condemnatory function. The Lutheran tradition emphasizes the received text's focus on love as divine action through Christ, not as human achievement.

Where Traditions Diverge

While Reformed traditions might emphasize love as an evidence of sanctification and thus a human responsibility, we maintain that this passage primarily reveals Christ's perfect love for us, highlighting our inability and pointing us to the Gospel. The Roman Catholic tradition may view this as part of the cooperative grace in sanctification, whereas we see it as an expression of Christ's achieved righteousness imputed to us.

Pastoral Application

In preaching this passage, a Lutheran Lens pastor should emphasize that while we fall short of this love, Christ has perfectly loved us with this same love. Congregants should hear the Law's full weight in exposing our sinful nature but be swiftly moved to the Gospel's assurance that Christ's love covers us. We encourage the faithful to live out this love in their vocations, not as a means of achieving righteousness, but as a fruit of the faith given to us by the Holy Spirit. A Lutheran congregation expects to hear the assurance of Christ's perfect love for them, which they receive anew through Word and Sacrament.

Cross-References: Romans 5:8; Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 4:2; 1 John 4:9-10; Romans 13:10

Doctrinal Connections: Law and Gospel; Justification by faith alone; Simul justus et peccator; The theology of the cross; Means of grace