2 Cor. 12:1-10, Love is Not Proud/Puffed Up

Before we begin our study of “pride” here are some things to think about.  First are 2 quotes about saying “I love you,” one positive and one negative.  Each gives us something to think about; we may say we love someone, even God; but do we in fact have the love of which we speak.

Henry Van Dyke in The Upward Path: A silent love is acceptable only from the lower animals.  God has given us speech that we should call upon his name.  Worship is to religion what fragrance is to the flower.

G. Campbell Morgan in The Corinthian Letters of Paul: Love that talks of loving is not love.  If anyone is constantly protesting to me they love me I begin to have doubts in my own mind.  It does not boast about itself.

Now, note the 7 negatives in 1 Cor. 13:4-7 (the 8th in v6 is tied to a specific positive).  Note that each is a form of selfishness and, thus, each is a sin against God.

i.   Is not jealous.

ii.  Does not boast.

iii. Is not puffed up.

iv. Is not rude

v.  Is not self-seeking.

vi. Is not easily angered.

vii. Does not count evils.

LOVE IS NOT  P U F F E D   U P

1)   Definition: being conceited, arrogant, a lifestyle that reflects 'I'm better than you."

a)   Redpath: "It is never self-satisfied or contemptuous of others."

b)   Leon Morris: Love is prone rather to give itself than to assert itself."

c)   Being puffed up is often the result of "unsanctified knowledge".  In what sense do you see this in …

(1) 1 Cor 8:1:

(2) Prov. 30:11-14:

(3) Prov. 26:16:

(4) Psa. 36:1-2:

d)   Opposite of pride: submission (living to meet the needs of others).

2)   Illustrations:

a)   Rheoboam, 2 Chron 10

b)   Uzziah, 2 Chron 26 (cf. v5,16)

c)   The New Testament Church:

i)     Rom 11:25: The discord over Jew and Gentile.

ii)    Rom 14:3,10: The discord over eating meat sacrificed to idols.

iii)  1 Cor 4:18-19:  The discord in Corinth.

iv)  Col 2:18: The discord stemming from Gnosticism. 

v)   1 Tim 3:6: The discord resulting from ordaining "young" elders.

3)   Biblical principles:

a)   What reasons does the Bible give for us to "put off" being puffed up.

i)     What grievous results come from being "puffed up"...

(1) Psalm 36:1-2; 1 Cor 5:2: Insensitivity to sin.

(2) 2 Cor 12:20; 1 Tim 6:3-5: Discord in relationships.

ii)    How is God's hatred for being puffed up seen in these passages:

(1) Jud 7:2:

(2) 2 Cor 12:7:

b)   What do I need to “put on” in place of being puffed up...

i)     Rom 13:14:

ii)    1 Cor 3:18-20:

iii)  Psalm 36:1-2; Prov 3:7-8:

iv)  1 Cor 4:6:

v)   1 Cor 8:1:

c)   This is the submissive lifestyle the NT calls us to:

i)     Eph 5:21:

ii)    1 Peter 5:5-6:

4)   Application:

i)     Memorize Romans 15:2.

ii)    Ask the Lord to show you the relationships where you exibit this attitude of being "puffed up".  Repent of this.