1 Corinthians
Summary
The Way of Love: 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 is the world-renowned "Love Chapter," which Paul introduces as the "more excellent way" to which all spiritual gifts must lead. He argues that even the most spectacular spiritual manifestations, tongues, prophecy, faith, and sacrifice, are "nothing" without love. Love is personified through a series of descriptions: it is patient, kind, does not envy, and does not boast. Paul notes that while spiritual gifts are temporary and "in part," love is eternal. The chapter concludes with the famous declaration of the three enduring virtues: "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
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.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.