The Greatest of These – Introduction

At the center of Israel’s covenant relationship with God, we hear: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

When asked to tell the greatest commandment in the Law, Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).

As the first century was coming to a close and the Church was becoming established throughout the Mediterranean region, St. John the Apostle was nearing the time of his departure. He wrote to the churches under his care, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (I John 4:7,8).

Thus it is, that when we love God, we relate to Him, we obey Him, we know Him. Likewise, when we love others, we impart to them the grace we have received from Him.

But what does it mean to love God and to love others? How does that look in our lives? How does one know that he/she is loving or being loved? It appears that the answers to these questions are innumerable in our world – almost everyone has their personal concept of what love is. The expressions range from, “I love my country, my church, my car, my job, my house, etc.” to “I love my ____________ team, my favorite food, the beach, the mountains, etc.” to “I love my wife/ husband, my children, my parents, my friends, etc.” and perhaps to “I love God”.  But that certainly begs the question, do all these call for the same degree of love? Can we really say we love each of these?

Pausing here, may we be reminded that the Greek language, in which the New Testament was written, contains at least three distinct words which are translated “love” in English. The first is eros. This describes an attraction that is focused on one’s pleasure; it is self-centered. This is the term associated with lust, physical desire, gratification, greed and the like. It has no concern for the feelings of the one being “loved” but only for itself. This word does not occur in the New Testament. The second is phileo. This describes a tender affection that is focused on a mutual concern for one another. It is often best known as brotherly love or love between friends. It sees the value in the relationship and maintaining that relationship for the good of both persons. The third is agapao. This describes a much deeper sense of love in that it is focused on the needs and well-being of the other person. It has been referred to as sacrificial love, unselfish love, unconditional love, giving love. This is the love that we hear in John 3:16 and Romans 5:5. This is the love which St. John refers to in I John 4:7,8 above. This is the love which St. Paul writes about in I Corinthians 13.

As he was inspired by the Holy Spirit and his deep pastoral concern for the Christians under his care, St. Paul wrote one of the most beloved passages in Holy Scripture – an essay on love. In the next several segments of “Opening the Old Wells”, we will fearfully and humbly examine this magnificent teaching in I Corinthians 13. Utilizing the final words of this passage, we will offer the title, “The Greatest of These”.

St. Paul writes to a troubled church in the city of Corinth. They were beset with divisions, ethnic conflicts, past pagan practices and just being “babes in Christ”. As their father and shepherd, he set about to show them “a more excellent way” (I Corinthians 12: 31) to live in righteousness and peace.

On a personal note – the longer we live and the more we reflect on the road we have travelled, Kh. Dannie and I have concluded that what really matters most in life is to love and be loved – with God and those around us. Other things surely have their place and there are other sources of joy and fulfillment, but love is the most excellent way. We, ourselves, have received blessings beyond measure, but “the greatest of these is love”.

In concluding this introduction, I am reminded of a story told of St. John. Being well advanced in years, his eyes had grown dim and his voice was barely audible. He was able to teach only seldom, but when he did, he would only say to his people, “Beloved, love one another”.

Dear friends, may God help us to embrace these words and inscribe them on our hearts.

Fr. Andrew