The Way of Love: An Exegesis of 1 Corinthians 13:4 -7 and Its Relevance to Church Ministry

Abstract

This study explores the “way of love" and its relevance to Church Ministry portrayed in 1 Cor 13:4-7. This love is without limitation in its mode of practice towards all, it extends sweetness to all people, does not subscribe to envy, pride and self-importance but rather cares about the wellbeing of others, it fails to exasperate into pique partly because of patience and rejoices over truth. By so doing it is always looking out for the good in others just as Christ did on the cross. The objectives that guided the study delved into the historical, literal and exegetical analysis, of Paul’s letter while delving into their relevance to the Church. The study employed a qualitative research design in conjunction with a variety of biblical studies techniques which enabled evaluation of the importance of the historical and cultural settings that inspired the letter's composition. The historical critical approach was used to collect and analyse data so that the researcher could fully comprehend the text. The textual criticism approach enabled the researcher to contrast and modify the many sources of 1 Corinthians. The study establishes one major cardinal outcome; that love solves all things and differences and should be emulated as presented in 1 Cor 13:4-7 through extending patience, kindness, desist from envy, boasting, arrogance, rudeness, insistence in one’s own way, resenting others, rejoice with the truth and be able to bear all things, believe all things, hope all things and endure all things.