Paul's Prison Epistles: Paul's ImprisonmentSample

Paul’s Theology—Ethical Living: 1 Corinthians 13:2

Those who are familiar with Paul’s writings know that the apostle spent as much time teaching about ethical Christian living as he did addressing doctrinal matters. In fact, nearly every time he introduced a doctrinal subject, he went on to explain how believers should apply that doctrine to their lives. And this application was not limited to correct thinking and proper doctrine. It also extended to believers’ emotions and behavior. Paul even went so far as to say that unless doctrine is applied to our lives in ways that change our emotions and behavior, it is worthless to us. Consider Paul’s words to this effect in 1 Corinthians 13:2:

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2).

If we fathom all mysteries and have all knowledge, then we have a perfect understanding of God’s revelation on all matters. In other words, we have perfect doctrine. But having good doctrine, even perfect doctrine, is not enough. If that doctrine does not change our lives — if it is not joined with love, and if it does not result in the ethical treatment of others and respectful obedience to Christ — it is worthless to us.

So, it should come as no surprise to us that Paul’s prison epistles regularly emphasize ethical living. On the one hand, that fact that Christ is King obligates us to obey him. On the other hand, the fact that we are united to Christ obligates us to live in accordance with his character. Let’s focus first on the obligation to live ethically that flows from Christ’s kingship.