AI Summary
5 min readIn a sermon on 1 Corinthians 13, recorded in 2002, Tim Keller argues that the famous "love chapter" is not a sentimental wedding reading but a devastating diagnosis aimed at a congregation of talented, ambitious, and fractious Christians in Corinth. Keller’s central claim is that the passage exposes two dangerous confusions: mistaking spiritual gifts for character, and mistaking virtuous behavior for a changed heart. The only true source of love, he insists, is a prior experience of being loved—specifically, the love of Christ on the cross, which must be received before it can be given.
Gifts Are Not Grace
Keller begins by situating the Corinthian church. Corinth was a boomtown built on commerce, populated by resourceful, ambitious people who came to make a name for themselves. The church reflected this culture: it was full of gifted, impressive Christians. Paul’s opening salvo in verses 1–3 is therefore a shock. He tells them that a person could have the gift of prophecy, fathom all mysteries, possess faith that moves mountains—even give away all possessions and surrender to martyrdom—and still be nothing, gain nothing, if love is absent.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:05) **The Thesis: Paul's Shocking Message on Love** - Keller introduces 1 Corinthians 13 and argues that Paul's intention is not to give a gentle wedding reading but to deliver a "bombshell" to the gifted, ambitious Corinthians.
- 2 (08:23) **What Heart Character is Not: Gifts vs. Grace** - Keller argues that spiritual gifts and talents are completely distinct from saving character.
- 3 (14:35) **The Danger of Mistaking Talent for Character** - Keller illustrates how using gifts can mask a lack of inner transformation.
- 4 (19:15) **What Heart Character is Not: Mere Virtue** - Keller argues that even moral, virtuous behavior can be done without love.
- 5 (23:36) **The Secret of Loveless Virtue: It's About You** - Keller explains how even self-sacrifice can be driven by a need to "count" or feel worthy.
- 6 (28:28) **The Two Tests for Loveless Service** - Keller provides two diagnostic tools from the text to see if your love is really about you.
- 7 (34:06) **What Heart Character Is: Being Graced** - Keller introduces the positive: heart character comes from a complete change in how you approach God.
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Show Notes
The city of Corinth was a place of commerce. Nobody went there except to be successful. It was built from scratch just a few decades before Paul’s letter was written. There were not old families and traditions. This was a place that attracted an unusually resourceful, talented, ambitious, intense kind of person.
And right into this culture, Paul says, “I don’t care how rich or talented you are. If you’re irritable, impatient, selfish, self-centered, self-pitying, driven and anxious, you have nothing. Don’t say, ‘I just have a few personal issues to deal with.’ You have nothing.” Paul says character is everything. And so what is inner love and joy? What is the inner supernatural change in character that God can bring?
In 1 Corinthians 13, we see 1) two things that heart character is not, and 2) one thing that it is.
This sermon was preached by Dr. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on January 13, 2002. Series: Practical Grace; How the Gospel Transforms Character. Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8.
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