Christians should approach controversial topics in the church with love, patience, and understanding, not with anger or harshness.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul placed the love chapter (1 Corinthians 13) between chapters dealing with controversial issues to demonstrate the proper attitude for handling them. The Corinthian church was carnal and immature, yet Paul did not confront them harshly. Instead, he backed into sensitive topics with love, knowing that only love can bring people to the truth. Without love, even impressive speech or knowledge becomes empty noise (1 Corinthians 13:1).
1 Corinthians 13:1 — This verse directly addresses the necessity of love in all communication, especially when dealing with divisive issues.
The Bible, specifically in 1 Corinthians 13, emphasizes that love is essential in all interactions. Verse 1 states, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." This indicates that without love, even the most eloquent speech is meaningless. The context shows that the Corinthians were carnal and immature, having many problems, including divisions, lawsuits, and issues with meat offered to idols. Paul's instructions were given to correct these problems, but he did so with a spirit of love, as the placement of the love chapter between chapters 12 and 14 demonstrates.
Les Feldick teaches that the Corinthian church was the most carnal and problem-filled of all the churches Paul dealt with. They had questions about marriage, meat offered to idols, the Lord's table, and spiritual gifts. Paul addressed these controversies, but he did so with a spirit of love, not anger or ridicule. Les emphasizes that Paul "backs into" these situations to avoid flaring up their anger, yet he does not agree with their problems. The love chapter (1 Corinthians 13) is placed between two controversial chapters to show that love is the only way to handle disputes. Without love, our words become empty noise, and we cannot bring people around to the truth.
Les Feldick explains that Paul, by inspiration, placed 1 Corinthians 13 between two chapters that deal with controversial topics even today. The only way to handle such controversies is on the basis of love. Paul used this placement to soften his approach and prepare the ground, knowing that the only way to bring people around to the truth is in the spirit of love, not by slapping them in the face with anger or ridiculing them.
The Corinthians faced numerous problems, including divisions over personalities (some following Paul, others Apollos, etc.), taking fellow believers to pagan courts, and questions about marriage and meat offered to idols. They were also dealing with excesses at the Lord's table. Paul addressed each of these issues in his letter, but he did so with a gentle, loving approach, recognizing their carnality and immaturity.
Les emphasizes that believers should not approach disputed matters with anger or ridicule. Instead, they should speak in love, patience, and understanding. He points out that love is the foundation of our Christian faith, prompting Christ to go to the cross and motivating our interactions with others. Without love, our words are empty noise.
Paul Answers Questions in Order
Les explains that Paul's letter to the Corinthians was prompted by their questions, and he addresses them in the order they were written, showing a systematic approach to controversy.
Love as the Only Way to Handle Controversy
Les teaches that the love chapter is placed between controversial chapters because love is the only way to handle disputes within the church.
Paul's Gentle Approach
Les shows that Paul 'backs into' sensitive topics to avoid flaring up anger, demonstrating a loving approach to correction.
Carnality of the Corinthians
Les highlights that the Corinthians were carnal believers with many hang-ups, which is why Paul had to address their questions gently.
Carnal Church with Many Problems
Les reminds us that the Corinthian church was the most carnal and problem-filled of all Paul's churches, setting the stage for his loving correction.
Preparing the Ground with Love
Les explains that Paul wrote the love chapter to soften his approach and prepare the ground, because love is the only way to bring people to the truth.
Problems in the Corinthian Church
Les lists the specific problems the Corinthians faced, including personality divisions and lawsuits, which Paul corrected with love.
Love as Foundation
Les emphasizes that love is the foundation of the Christian faith and must permeate all interactions, especially in dealing with controversial issues.
1 Corinthians 13:1: Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
This verse highlights the emptiness of speech without love, directly relating to how we communicate on controversial topics.
1 Corinthians 13:4: Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
Describes the patient and kind nature of love, which should characterize our approach to disagreements.
Paul addressed each issue directly but with a spirit of love and gentleness, avoiding harshness that would anger them. He 'backed into' the problems, preparing the ground with the love chapter, to bring them to the truth.
According to Les Feldick, love is the foundation of the Christian faith and the only way to bring people to the truth. Without love, our words are empty noise, so we must approach disagreements with patience and kindness.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About Love vs Spiritual Gifts