”Do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16:14New International Version (NIV)
1 Corinthians 16:14 Devotional (Daily Bible Verse)
Do everything in love
1 Corinthians 16:14 constitutes Paul’s final instructions to the Corinthians in his “first” epistle to them. In that letter, Paul commanded them to “Do everything in love.”
All actions to be motivated by love
Paul, therefore, wanted all the actions of the Christians in Corinth to be motivated by love. He, consequently, returned to the theme of loving God and loving fellow humans as being the believer’s ultimate goal. He highlighted that one’s love for God and others was to motivate and the motivator of everything he/she does.
This is also a theme that Paul frequently emphasized in his teaching to the Corinthians. For example, in 1 Corinthians 14:1, Paul instructed the Corinthians to “pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that they would prophesy.” And in 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13, he pointed out that “the most excellent way” was love, which is the most valuable of all the gifts of the Spirit.
Therefore, in First Corinthians chapter 16 verse 14, Paul exhorted the Corinthians to do everything in love. He had already outlined their conduct and behavior that contradicted his exhortation toward love. These included divisions and quarreling among them (1 Corinthians 3), sexual immorality among them, lawsuits between them (1 Corinthians 6:1-8), selfishness at the Lord’s communion table (1 Corinthians 11:17-34), jealousy over spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12-14), and disorderly worship (1 Corinthians 14:26-40).
Love would enable them to bear all things
The Apostle Paul knew that love would enable them and you to bear all things (Ephesians 4:2). Therefore, they would be able to live with each other as Christ commanded (John 13:34) and exhibited.
You are, therefore, to love God and others. And God has the Holy Spirit who indwells us and consequently empowers us to love Him and our fellow human beings (1 John 4:16, 19).
Prayer/Blessing
Father in heaven, I confess that in my own strength, I cannot love as you expect. But I know that this is possible in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit.
May Your Spirit fill me more and more so that I may love You and others as You expect. This is my prayer, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
1 Chronicles 1-2 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
