Re:Verse reading–1 Corinthians 12:4-31 (day three)
And now I will show you the most excellent way.
He means love, of course. Paul was ramping up to the resplendent summation of love’s life-bringing strength and power in what we now call chapter 13. As he did so, he reframed the Corinthian congregation’s understanding of the gifts of spiritual ability. Prophecy exists because there is someone who has lost his way and needs a light to follow. Wisdom makes its way through a congregation because foolishness has not ceased to plague the church. Healing comes because we are sick and weak. Interpretation of tongues rises up because accuracy and accountability escape us so easily. The abilities come amidst our weakness. We handle them poorly. And yet in love’s excellent way, we give them to one another. This is another reason we call them gifts.
