Joseph Attoh 
Written by Overseer Joel Kwesi Baidoo, Kpandai New Town District
During his second missionary journey around 50–52 AD, the Apostle Paul arrived in Corinth, a bustling Roman colony known for its wealth, strategic location, and cultural diversity (Acts 18:1–18). The city, famous for its temples of Apollo and Aphrodite, was rife with moral looseness, and the Temple of Aphrodite on Acrocorinth symbolised a culture where love was often equated with sexual immorality.
This historical backdrop illustrates the contrast between fleeting, self-serving notions of love, rooted in desire and pleasure, and the higher standard of divine love, or Agape, that Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians 13. While popular culture, past and present, elevates physical attraction and indulgence, Paul’s doctrine of love calls believers to selflessness, patience, humility, and enduring commitment.
Agape love is patient and kind, does not envy or boast, is not proud or rude, forgives, protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. It transcends feelings or physical attraction and reflects God’s nature. Unlike the corrupted notions of love associated with Aphrodite, Agape is unconditional, sacrificial, and transformative, impacting relationships, families, and communities.
Paul also affirms the sanctity of sexual intimacy within marriage (1 Corinthians 7), teaching that mutual consent, respect, and shared responsibility honour God’s design. Sexuality, therefore, is not condemned but is celebrated as a holy expression of love between husband and wife.
The message for believers today is clear: love is not about indulgence or pleasure, but about character, service, and commitment. In a world that often celebrates fleeting romance and selfish desire, the Church is called to embody Agape love – giving, serving, and reflecting the heart of God in all relationships.
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