1 Corinthains 13

1 Corinthians 13  •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 7
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Gifts might abound, but love is the more excellent way. It is the bond of perfection and the character of God, the Lord, and the Spirit. 1 Cor. 13:1-31Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2And 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, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13:1‑3) show the negative side, viz., all the things I may have without love. Ver. 4-7 give the positive side, showing the different qualities of love, no doubt perfectly exhibited by the Lord Jesus Christ on earth. From ver. 8-13 it is compared with other things, and shown to continue in the future state, when all other things have failed. (Ver. l-3) I may speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but if I have not love, I am become as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal. I may have the gift of prophecy, the gift most to be coveted; I may understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; I may have that faith which removes mountains, and yet be nothing. I may give all my goods to feed the poor, and give my body to be burned, but if I have not love, it profits me nothing. (Ver. 4-7) Its positive qualities are these, — it suffers long, is kind, it envies not, it vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, is not dishonest or selfish, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil. It rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (Ver. 8-13) As to the future, it never fails. Prophecies will fail, tongues will cease, knowledge will vanish away. The present time is then compared with the future state. We know now in part, and we prophesy in part, but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. The two states are now compared to the states of childhood and manhood; as a child, I think as a child: as a man, I put away childish things. I know now in part, this is the time of my childhood, but in the world to come, when everything is perfect, and when my manhood is arrived at, that which is in part shall be done away, I shall know as I am known; though at this present time we only see through a glass darkly. All this reasoning shows the superiority of that Love which never fails, and which, in the future ages, will stand out when other things have ceased. Three things abide at the present time — Faith, Hope, Love, — but the greatest of these is Love. That abides for ever.