The thirteenth chapter of 1 Corinthians may be, from a literary viewpoint, the greatest passage Paul ever penned.  Studying it is somewhat like taking apart a flower; part of the beauty is lost when the components are separated. But when each part is understood more clearly, the whole can become even more beautiful.

This chapter is a breath of fresh air, an oasis in a desert of problems. It is a positive note in the midst of almost continual reproof and correction of wrong understandings, wrong attitudes, wrong behavior, and wrong use of God’s ordinances and gifts. Paul’s scribe must have breathed a sigh of relief and amazement when the apostle began dictating these beautiful, Holy Spirit-inspired words.

This gem is best understood in its original  setting. Its message is integral to what Paul says before and after it.  Chapter 13 is the central chapter in Paul’s lengthy discussion of spiritual gifts (chaps. 12-14). Chapter 12 discusses the endowment, receipt, and interrelatedness of the gifts. Chapter 14 presents the proper exercise of the gifts, especially that of languages. In this middle chapter we see the proper attitude and atmosphere, the proper motive and power, the “more excellent way” (12:31), in which God has planned for all of the gifts to operate.

 1. Love is the Greatest Gift

13:1 If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn’t love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal.^NLT Great faith, acts of dedication or sacrifice, miracle-working power, or the ability to speak in any language in heaven or on earth will produce very little without love. This phrase is also translated “the tongues of men and of angels” (niv). The Corinthians believed that they had the angels’ language when they spoke in tongues. But their knowledge led to pride, which stripped them of love and consideration for others. Love makes believers’ actions and gifts useful. Although people have different gifts, love is available to everyone. Without love, speaking in another language, although a gift of the Spirit, becomes nothing more than meaningless noise. A cymbal was often used in ecstatic rites in pagan worship. The gift of tongues, used without love, is as valueless as pagan worship. Without love, the gifts do not build up other believers, so they are useless. Christians must not exalt gifts over character. Love is far more important.

The word for love used here is agape. The Greeks had different words that described different kinds of love. The word agape connotes a deep, abiding, self-sacrificing love—the kind that looks out for the other person first. God requires his people to have agape love for one another.

13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.^NKJV Three gifts are mentioned in this verse: prophecy, knowledge, and faith. The gift of prophecy was described in the commentary on 12:10 as a gift that not only enables the person to see events in the future but also to bring God’s message to the church under the direction of the

The gift of faith was described in 12:9. This does not refer to saving faith, whereby people come to believe in Jesus Christ as Savior; instead, this is an unusual measure of trust in the Holy Spirit’s power to do mighty works, much like Elijah received in 1 Kings 18. If a person has faith that could remove mountains but does not have love, the faith is worth nothing.

13:3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would be of no value whatsoever.^NLT This verse says that love produces willingness to give sacrificially and to suffer. Acts of charity and self-sacrifice can be done for the sake of an ideal or with pride as a motivation. But they are of no value for the kingdom, wrote Paul, unless they are done from the foundation of love for others.

2. Love Overcomes Sin

13:4 Love is patient.^NIV Because love is so important among the believers, Paul went on to describe that love in more detail. How does such love look when lived out in the lives of believers? First of all, love is patient.

not lose its temper when provoked. Such love steadily perseveres. Without love, no matter how wonderful the gifts in the church, people will be impatient with one another, short-tempered, and irritable.

Love is kind.^NIV The Greek word translated “is kind” (chresteuetai) occurs only here in the New Testament. (“Kindness,” chrestotes, occurs in Galatians 5:22.) It probably means the same as a similar word (also translated as “kind”) in Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (nlt). Kindness takes the initiative in responding generously to others’ needs. The psalms and writings of the prophets say much about God’s kindness (Psalm 18:50; Isaiah 54:8; Jeremiah 9:24). Because believers have received kindness, they ought to act with kindness toward others.

How does “kind love” look among believers? Such love is considerate and helpful to others. Kind love is gentle and mild, always ready to show compassion, especially to those in need. Without love, even the great gifts cannot be exercised with an eye to helping others.

It does not envy.^NIV “Envy” refers to strong jealousy of another person. The envious person desires what another person has. This seems to have been a particular problem in Corinth—those with “lesser” gifts envied those with “greater” gifts. The seed of envy can lead to seething anger and hatred. Those who are too busy envying each other’s gifts are unlikely to be using their own gifts in loving service to God and others. Envy stagnates the church, causing the envious believers to remain self-centered and self-focused, feeling sorry for themselves, and not fulfilling their God-given role. When there is love, believers will gladly use whatever gifts they have been given to work together for the advance of God’s kingdom. They will be glad that others have different gifts so that the entire job can get done.

It does not boast, it is not proud.^NIV While some believers may have a problem with envy, those with the “greater” gifts might have a problem with boasting or pride. Again, it seems that this may have been a problem in Corinth. When spectacularly gifted believers begin to boast, they have directed their energy toward themselves. The gift becomes not a tool of service for the kingdom but a way of self-advancement. Such believers are proud. While some pride can be positive, this kind of pride takes credit for an undeserved gift. Gifted believers who are caught up in pride and boasting over their gifts are unable to serve. Without love, they may feel that by using their gifts, they are doing someone a favor, that others should be grateful to them, and that they are far superior.

13:5 It is not rude.^NIV The word translated “is rude” (aschemonei) refers to actions that are improper. Also translated as “love does not behave in an unseemly way,” this means that love does not behave impolitely, discourteously, or crudely. Believers who use their gifts with love will be careful to act in a manner worthy of their calling before God. They will never humiliate others. This may also have been a problem in Corinth, especially in their worship services (see 11:2-16).

It is not self-seeking.^NIV People who are self-seeking always want their own way. They are selfish, self-centered, wanting what they think is best for them. This is the opposite of love. Love (agape) looks out for others, seeks their best interests, willingly gives up its own for the sake of another. A self-seeking person may use his or her gifts but not with a serving attitude or a desire to build the kingdom. Instead, the gifts are only used if they can somehow benefit the self-seeking person. This is not God’s way. Instead, because of love, the believers use their gifts to benefit others first, without “self” or selfish desires getting in the way.

It is not easily angered.^NIV The word for “easily angered” could also be translated “touchy,” “irritable,” or “sensitive to slights.” Such people let things get on their nerves. One believer, in the process of exercising his or her gifts, may irritate another believer. These “easily angered” believers may not like the style or manner in which these others exercise their gifts. Or they may get easily angered at anyone who crosses them. This is not the way of love. When believers exercise their gifts in love, they will be able to give one another some latitude to follow God as they see fit. They will not let themselves be easily provoked over disagreements, but they will be able to always respond in a loving manner. This does not mean that anger is wrong, for anger can be a motivating factor when directed against wrongs or injustices. People who are “easily angered,” however, are usually upset about personal affronts or minor issues. This stifles their service for God and the use of their gifts.

It keeps no record of wrongs.^NIV Believers must not allow themselves to become easily angered, and they must not keep record of wrongs. Such people will remember every offense against them as though it were written in a book and tallied. These “wrongs” are not sins that need to be dealt with in the congregation (such as that described in chapter 5) but minor offenses or misunderstandings between believers. Those who keep record of these wrongs and personal injuries will harbor resentment against other believers. Love, however, makes allowances for people’s foibles and flaws and willingly forgets when wrongs were done. This frees all believers to grow and mature in Christ and to grow in their ability to serve and use their gifts. When mistakes are made, love overlooks them and allows believers to continue to serve with the gifts God has given them. God does not keep a record of believers’ wrongs (2 Corinthians 5:19).

13:6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.^NIV When believers show love, they do not delight in evil, either by showing superior morality over it or by taking pleasure in another’s fall. Love does not take pleasure in any kind of evil. Instead, love does the exact opposite—it rejoices with the truth. Through their relationship with Jesus Christ, believers possess the one and only truth (John 14:6). Those who love should remain untainted by evil. Instead, they ought to always seek truth, desire that truth win out, protect the truth, and proclaim the truth whenever possible.

13:7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.^NIV After explaining what love does not do (13:4b-6), Paul listed four positive attributes of love. First of all, love always protects. The word in Greek, stego, means “cover” or “hide by covering.” This does not refer to hiding hurtful sin but to protecting someone from embarrassment, gossip, or any other such harm. When believers love one another, they refuse harmful gossip and protect one another from those who would try to inflict harm.

Love always trusts. This means both that love never loses faith and that it is willing to think the best of others. It does not mean that believers must be gullible, trusting everyone; instead, it means that they are willing to think the best as opposed to the worst of others. Love gives the benefit of the doubt. With real love, believers can deal with conflict lovingly. When everyone willingly thinks the best of everyone else, people are freed to be honest and open.

Love always hopes. Believers who love look forward, not backward. They seek for growth and maturity in the church, knowing that God is working in every person. They know that failure is not the end, and they trust in God who promises “that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 nrsv).

Love always perseveres. Believers who love are active and steadfast in their faith. They hold on, no matter what difficulties they face. Hardship and pain do not stop love. When believers persevere, they face suffering within the body. They face persecution. They hang on when the going gets tough. They strive to save their marriages despite disappointment, to continue to trust God despite setbacks, and to continue to serve God despite fear or sorrow. When believers truly persevere, nothing can stop them.

3. Love is Lasting

13:8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.^NIV All the spiritual gifts will eventually pass away, but love never fails. Love is permanent. There will be no end to love. Spiritual gifts will end because they are given to build God’s kingdom. When Jesus Christ returns, the kingdom will be established and the “building up” will no longer be necessary. Therefore where there are prophecies (12:10; 13:2), they will cease. This gift was to be used for speaking the gospel message boldly, telling the future, and helping others grow in the Lord. One day, evangelism will no longer be necessary, all prophecies will be fulfilled, and all believers will be made perfect in Christ (1 John 3:2).

For the same reason, where there are tongues (12:10; 13:1), they will be stilled. Tongues are meant for blessing or instruction in the church when an interpreter is present, but in eternity all will understand the same language. Finally, where there is knowledge (12:8; 13:2), it will pass away. No one will need teachers because everyone will be given perfect knowledge of all that God has done.

Some have used this verse as the central passage for teaching that speaking in tongues came to an end in its usefulness with the death of the apostles and the writing of the New Testament. Therefore, they say, the focus today should be on the written word, not on tongues or prophecy. “When the end comes” (13:10), that is, when believers will be made perfect, “special gifts will all disappear.” These same scholars take “perfection” to mean the close of the New Testament canon or the completion of all the authentic New Testament books. This view is upheld by various groups and denominations. Others believe that the perfection will happen at the return of Christ; thus, these gifts (prophecies, tongues, and knowledge) still have a place. It is incongruous to argue that tongues have no value now while affirming that prophecy and knowledge are still important. Most likely, therefore, Paul was not teaching the cessation of tongues but the priority of love. “When the end comes” (13:10) is linked to seeing Christ face to face (13:12), and not to the completion of the New Testament.

13:9-10 Now we know only a little, and even the gift of prophecy reveals little! But when the end comes, these special gifts will all disappear.^NLT On this earth, outside of heaven, everything is imperfect. No matter how much people may know, they know only a little. No matter how much prophecy is given, it still reveals little. Not until the arrival of God’s kingdom (the end, in Greek, teleion) will everything be made perfect and complete. At that time, all the special gifts of the Spirit will disappear (see 13:7-8). Because gifts are given for the building up of the body of Christ, they will no longer be needed. The body will be complete, and God’s kingdom will have arrived. Yet love will continue (13:8), because love is the very essence of God himself. “God is love,” wrote John (1 John 4:8, 16). God’s love caused him to reach out to undeserving humanity and send a Savior. His love saved people and will bring them into his kingdom to be with him forever. The kingdom rests on God’s love.

13:11 It’s like this: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.^NLT The contrast between believers’ spiritual understanding now, when they know only a little, and their lives in the future kingdom, when everything will be made clear, is illustrated in human terms. A child talks, thinks, and reasons like a child. His or her understanding is incomplete. But when a child grows up, he or she matures in speech, thought, and reason, putting away childish things. So now believers know only a little, like children, but one day they will be able to put their present understanding behind them because they will understand clearly.

13:12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.^NIV By way of further metaphor, believers’ present spiritual understanding is like a poor reflection as in a mirror. They see very poorly now, compared to what they will understand when they see God face to face. Right now, they only know in part; at the time of Christ’s return, they shall know fully. The understanding will be complete, as is God’s present understanding of each individual. While believers’ knowledge is still growing and maturing, God already knows each person fully. Instead of boasting about their spiritual gifts, the Corinthian believers should realize that these gifts were nothing compared to what they would experience in heaven.

13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.^NKJV In other places in Scripture, faith, hope, and love are presented together (see Romans 5:1-5; Galatians 5:5-6; Ephesians 4:2-5; Colossians 1:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 5:8; Hebrews 6:10-12; 10:22-24; 1 Peter 1:3-8). Most likely, Paul was showing that love is a spiritual reality of a different kind, like hope and faith, and not to be considered as one of the spiritual gifts. In eternity, the gifts will drop away in significance, but faith, hope, and love will remain.

“Faith” sometimes refers to a spiritual gift (12:9; 13:2) or to saving faith that God has forgiven sins. In this context, it refers to trust in the goodness and mercy of the Lord. Such trust will see believers through until they live face to face in God’s presence. Believers also hope; they look forward to the arrival of God’s promised kingdom in its fullest form, knowing that God will deliver them in times of suffering.

Paul added that while these three remain, the greatest of these is love. How is love “the greatest”? Paul already had established that love would abide forever (13:8). Love is the greatest because it is one quality of the Christian life that will be fully active both in the present and for eternity. Believers’ faith in God will be realized when they see God face to face—for where there is sight, faith is no longer needed. Similarly, the believers’ hope will be fully realized. Love will endure forever as those in the new heaven and new earth continue to love God and his people.

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Sources:

Bruce B. Barton et al., Life Application Bible Commentary – 1 & 2 Corinthians, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1999), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “1 CORINTHIANS 13”.

John MacArthur, MacArthur New Testament Commentary – 1 Corinthians, (Chicago: Moody Press, 1984), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 328.