Why did Paul write 1 Corinthians 13 between the chapters dealing with church problems?
Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 13 between the problem-filled chapters to soften his approach and prepare the ground, prompted by the Holy Spirit. He recognized that people are brought around to the truth only in a spirit of love, not by anger, ridicule, or put-downs.
Les explains that the chapters surrounding 1 Corinthians 13 dealt with church problems: meat offered to idols, excesses at the Lord's table, and marriage and divorce. In between the next two problem-filled chapters, Paul, in order to soften his approach and prepare the ground, was prompted by the Holy Spirit to write chapter 13, the love chapter. Paul realized the only way to bring people around to the truth is in the spirit of love—not by slapping them in anger, ridiculing them, or putting them down as dummies. Chapters 12 and 14 are therefore sandwiched by chapter 13, and love remains the greatest in God's dealing with man.
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Why did Paul write the love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, between chapters 12 and 14?
The Holy Spirit prompted Paul to place 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter, between the problem-filled chapters 12 and 14 in order to soften his approach and prepare the ground for his correction of the Corinthians.