The thirteenth chapter of the First Letter of St Paul to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 13, or 1 Cor 13) is one of the greatest passages of Christian scripture, and arguably one of the most profound pieces of literature ever written. This book is the author's personal exploration of 1 Cor 13 and its relevance for the whole of humanity. This may seem a grandiose aim, but St Paul's words speak to an essential and unequivocal truth: that all human beings crave to be loved and, at some level, crave to love. The author uses three different translations of the text (AKJV, RSV, NJB) to add nuance to the textual exploration, and to more fully appreciate the depth of St Paul's use of the word “love” (or “Charity”, or in New Testament Greek, agapē). By seeking the true extent of the meaning of each verse, a more profound understanding can be had of what the chapter means for everyone everywhere today.
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The book is not intended as an exegesis or academic commentary. Rather, it tries to reveal the heart of the matter St Paul is here expounding: the absolute primacy of Love in all things. In today’s world, where the word “love” has become almost a caricature of that which St Paul extols, the essential noble meaning of the word and its usage in St Paul's epistle are sought by digging ever deeper into each verse, as one might revisit a loved-one's letter time and again to unwrap more of the gifts of the writing, and to embrace ever more fully the inescapable truth of the Gospel, so eloquently wrought in summary in the typically soul-sustaining lyricism of St Paul's writing.
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By setting aside time to examine and explore 1 Corinthians 13 “in leisurely detail”, and with the backdrop of a common, divinely-created humanity as the canvas on which the outworking of agapē occurs, the author hopes that new perspectives on its relevance at every moment for every person everywhere in every and all circumstances will lead to a greater depth of appreciation, understanding and “living out” of this most profound of all loves in each of our lives. Soli Deo Gloria!