{"id":3533,"date":"2022-07-13T03:15:41","date_gmt":"2022-07-13T07:15:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jkitchen.org\/?p=3533"},"modified":"2022-07-13T03:15:41","modified_gmt":"2022-07-13T07:15:41","slug":"1-corinthians-132","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jkitchen.org\/?p=3533","title":{"rendered":"1 Corinthians 13:2"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Verse 2 \u2013 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A second conditional statement is added (\u03ba\u03b1\u1f76, \u201cAnd\u201d) to the first of a series of such clauses (vv.1-3). Again, the class three condition presents matters as hypothetical for the sake of consideration (\u1f10\u1f70\u03bd + subjunctive verb). Three far-ranging extremes of spiritual insight are imagined.<\/p>\n

The first that is imagined is \u201cI have prophetic powers\u201d (\u1f14\u03c7\u03c9 \u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c6\u03b7\u03c4\u03b5\u1f77\u03b1\u03bd). The noun (\u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c6\u03b7\u03c4\u03b5\u1f77\u03b1) can designate the spiritual gift of prophecy (Rom. 12:6), an utterance so spoken (1 Cor. 14:6), predicting future events (Matt. 13:14), or the work of doing so (Rev. 11:6).[1]<\/a> The translators following the lead of the RSV and NRSV have expanded that interpretively to \u201cprophetic powers<\/em>\u201d (emphasis added). Others translate as \u201cthe gift of<\/em> prophecy\u201d (NASB, NASU, NKJV, NLT, emphasis added). But it is simply \u201cprophecy\u201d (NET, YLT). It designates \u201cdeclaring the purposes of God, whether by reproving and admonishing the wicked, or comforting the afflicted, or revealing things hidden; especially by foretelling future events.\u201d[2]<\/a> Paul pictures a state of affairs where \u201cI have\u201d (\u1f14\u03c7\u03c9) such a prophecy. The present tense and the subjunctive mood point to a hypothetical situation considered as a present reality. It is the same verb and form as in verse 1: \u201chave [\u1f14\u03c7\u03c9] not love\u201d and that will show up again at the end of this verse and the next. A situation in which one possesses loveless prophecy is in view.<\/p>\n

Paul nowhere here directly claims the gift of prophecy, though that seems to be his point in 1 Corinthians 14:19. He views prophecy as the highest of the greater gifts (14:1). He desires it above all other spiritual gifts for the sake of Christ\u2019s body, the church. His reticence to directly claim the gift is in line with his use of the language group. He uses the noun (\u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c6\u1f75\u03c4\u03b7\u03c2) six times in this letter (12:28, 29; 14:29, 32 [2x], 37). He uses the verb (\u03c0\u03c1\u03bf\u03c6\u03b7\u03c4\u03b5\u1f7b\u03c9), however, eleven times (11:4, 5; 13:9; 14:1, 3, 4, 5 [2x], 24, 31, 39). Paul is almost twice as likely to refer to the act of prophesying than he is to designate anyone a prophet. The only place in the NT where someone directly takes to themselves the title is the wicked Jezebel \u201cwho calls herself a prophetess\u201d (Rev. 2:20). The point seems, then, to be that one should speak as the Lord leads him to speak, letting the words stand and leaving it to God to prove them true and thus confirm him as a prophet. The imagined point, then, is of an individual who thus speaks from God, apparently genuinely and truly inspired by the Holy Spirit to do so.<\/p>\n

To this is added (\u03ba\u03b1\u1f76, \u201cand\u201d) a second possibility, that one can \u201cunderstand all mysteries and all knowledge\u201d (\u03b5\u1f30\u03b4\u1ff6 \u03c4\u1f70 \u03bc\u03c5\u03c3\u03c4\u1f75\u03c1\u03b9\u03b1 \u03c0\u1f71\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u03c0\u1fb6\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u03b3\u03bd\u1ff6\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd). Paul had already told his readers, \u201cThis is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries [\u03bc\u03c5\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03c1\u1f77\u03c9\u03bd] of God\u201d (4:1). He later will announce, \u201cBehold! I tell you a mystery [\u03bc\u03c5\u03c3\u03c4\u1f75\u03c1\u03b9\u03bf\u03bd]\u201d (15:51a). He can say,<\/p>\n

We impart a secret [\u03bc\u03c5\u03c3\u03c4\u03b7\u03c1\u1f77\u1ff3] and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, \u201cWhat no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him\u201d– these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows [\u03bf\u1f36\u03b4\u03b5\u03bd] a person’s thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand [\u03b5\u1f30\u03b4\u1ff6\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd] the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. (2:7-13)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That which the Apostle supposes is the comprehension of \u201call mysteries\u201d (\u03c4\u1f70 \u03bc\u03c5\u03c3\u03c4\u1f75\u03c1\u03b9\u03b1 \u03c0\u1f71\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1). Note the definite article. Perhaps it could, thus, be rendered, \u201call the<\/em> mysteries.\u201d He is thinking of the whole of all actually existing \u201cmysteries,\u201d things actual, but which reside beyond our understanding. And it is \u201call\u201d (\u03c0\u1f71\u03bd\u03c4\u03b1) such mysteries that he has in mind. While it is true that Paul and the other apostles were the stewards of God\u2019s mysteries and proclaimed them for the upbuilding of God\u2019s people, and while Paul would later disclose his experience \u201cvisions and revelations of the Lord\u201d so profound that they \u201ccannot be told\u201d and which \u201cman may not utter\u201d (2 Cor. 12:1, 4), he would not have claimed to have understood \u201call\u201d mysteries that lie within the purview of God alone.<\/p>\n

To this he adds (\u03ba\u03b1\u1f76, \u201cand\u201d) the notion of possessing \u201call knowledge\u201d (\u03c0\u1fb6\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u03b3\u03bd\u1ff6\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd). Note, that here again we have a definite article. Paul is imagining someone knowing all that is capable of being known. By the way, note that these expressions imply that not all things are able to be known at this present time and in the present configuration of things (cf. Deut. 29:29). But suppose someone was able to possess full and comprehensive understanding of everything in both categories. What if you encountered an omniscient, but loveless person?<\/p>\n

Paul has had a thing or two to say about knowledge throughout this letter. He told his readers that \u201cyou were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge [\u03b3\u03bd\u1f7d\u03c3\u03b5\u03b9]\u201d (1:5). He tells them \u201cwe know that \u2018all of us possess knowledge [\u03b3\u03bd\u1ff6\u03c3\u03b9\u03bd]\u2019 when it comes to \u201cfood offered to idols\u201d (8:1a). But, he insists, \u201cThis \u2018knowledge\u2019 [\u03b3\u03bd\u1ff6\u03c3\u03b9\u03c2] puffs up, but love builds up\u201d (v.1b). So, before ever getting to chapter 13 Paul has already set up the notion of knowledge without love. In fact, what happens in such a scenario is that when \u201cnot all possess this knowledge [\u03b3\u03bd\u1ff6\u03c3\u03b9\u03c2]\u201d \u201csome, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled\u201d (8:7). Then he lowers the boom, \u201cAnd so by your knowledge [\u03b3\u03bd\u1f7d\u03c3\u03b5\u03b9] this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died\u201d (8:11). This is an example of how loveless knowledge operates. In consequence, they must submit every Spirit-given \u201cutterance of knowledge\u201d (\u03bb\u1f79\u03b3\u03bf\u03c2 \u03b3\u03bd\u1f7d\u03c3\u03b5\u03c9\u03c2, 12:8) to the discipline of love.<\/p>\n

The Apostles stretches us yet further, adding (\u03ba\u03b1\u1f76, \u201cand\u201d) to the first two possibilities a third. Suppose that \u201cI have all faith\u201d (\u1f14\u03c7\u03c9 \u03c0\u1fb6\u03c3\u03b1\u03bd \u03c4\u1f74\u03bd \u03c0\u1f77\u03c3\u03c4\u03b9\u03bd). The context tells us that Paul is here thinking not of the saving faith that all must exercise (2:5), but the special gifting of some within the body of Christ which distributes to some \u201cfaith by the same Spirit\u201d (12:9). The definite article (\u03c4\u1f74\u03bd) stresses the particularity of this faith and might be rendered \u201cI have all the<\/em> faith.\u201d It designates, then, not the fullness of all possible faith, but all the faith required for whatever great thing God demands of you in the moment. It is faith great enough \u201cso as to remove mountains\u201d (\u1f65\u03c3\u03c4\u03b5 \u1f44\u03c1\u03b7 \u03bc\u03b5\u03b8\u03b9\u03c3\u03c4\u1f71\u03bd\u03b1\u03b9) if they stand in the way of God\u2019s will. Surely Jesus\u2019 statements about the power of faith to move mountains are in view here (Matt. 17:20; 21:21). Paul paints a portrait of one who never comes up against an obstacle so big that he does not possess the faith to overcome it in Jesus\u2019 Name.<\/p>\n

Line up the suppositions here in verse 2. Imagine someone who possesses not only penetrating insight into every mystery and is able to tap into the infinite storehouses of God\u2019s knowledge and has the ability to articulate it in terms simple enough for any child of God to understand and, along with it, a limitless supply of faith to act wisely upon that insight so as to bring about that which is beyond all human capability. Yet, picture this super-human being as lacking love.<\/p>\n

This is precisely what Paul does as he imagines a state of affirms where you have these three superpowers \u201cbut have not love\u201d (\u1f00\u03b3\u1f71\u03c0\u03b7\u03bd \u03b4\u1f72 \u03bc\u1f74 \u1f14\u03c7\u03c9). This is precisely the same expression as at the end of verse 1 (see our comments there). This time, however, the outcome of the imagined situation is different: \u201cI am nothing\u201d (\u03bf\u1f50\u03b8\u1f73\u03bd \u03b5\u1f30\u03bc\u03b9). The first hypothetical results in having \u201cbecome\u201d (NASU, NKJV, YLT) nothing meaningful. This second states what one then is (\u03b5\u1f30\u03bc\u03b9, \u201cI am\u201d). The present tense here stands in contrast the perfect tense in verse 1. The first declares a state of being (\u201cI have become\u201d), the second a present identity (\u201cI am\u201d).<\/p>\n

Paul will later gather up these supernatural realities and inform us that both knowledge and prophecies as presently experienced, even at their best, are incomplete (v.9) and \u201cwill pass away\u201d (v.10). Tongues (v.1) along with prophecies and knowledge (v.2) all have a terminus point, but \u201cLove never ends\u201d (v.8).<\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> Friberg, 23632.<\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> Thayer, 4547.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Verse 2 \u2013 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. A second conditional statement is added (\u03ba\u03b1\u1f76, \u201cAnd\u201d) to the first of a series of such clauses (vv.1-3). Again, the class […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[42,101],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3533","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-1-corinthians","category-love","post-preview"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgYGxX-UZ","jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jkitchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3533","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jkitchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jkitchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jkitchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jkitchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3533"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/jkitchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3533\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3534,"href":"https:\/\/jkitchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3533\/revisions\/3534"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jkitchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3533"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jkitchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3533"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jkitchen.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3533"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}