In the Greek and Roman cultures of New Testament times, humility was “not considered a virtue … but was viewed as weakness” (Dictionary of the Later New Testament and Its Developments). It’s not shocking that new Christians in Corinth clashed about whose gift made them most important in the church. This well-known passage wasn’t about love as an abstract value. Paul told his converts that no gift, no ability not guided by love had any lasting value.

• Paul wrote this lovely description: “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part gets the glory, all the parts celebrate with it. You are the body of Christ and parts of each other” (12:26-27). Think about groups you’ve been part of where this kind of love and mutual caring existed, and where it did not. How did the presence or absence of this kind of love affect the group’s success in accomplishing its mission? Which group was more likely to attract other gifted people to join in its work?
• The ancient Greeks and Romans saw humility in relation to others as a weakness, not a virtue. Would you say our culture’s values are substantially different? As you reflect on the attitudes you see in films, music, politics or sports, in what ways (down deep) do we continue to be a lot like those ancient peoples? How easy or hard do you find it to celebrate with someone else who is receiving praise for using gifts and abilities well?