1 Corinthians 13: The Greatest is Love

Collin Leong. January 28, 2025

(v1-3) If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 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 do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Exp: "Tongues of men" refers to the gift of speaking human languages that we do not know, just like Acts 2. "Tongues of angels" most likely refer to heavenly or spiritual language that only God can understand. Even the speaker himself cannot understand what he utters. This is detailed in 1 Cor 14:1-25. This type of tongues should be said quietly to God, not loudly as if to boast to others of the spiritual gift. It only edifies the speaker, not the whole church. And if everyone say it loudly, a non-believer will think you are out of your mind, when they come in to the church. (1 Cor 14:23)

(v4-7) Love is: (NIV v.s ESV)

(v4) Patient (same)
(v4) Kind (same)
(v4) Does not envy (same)
(v4) Does not boast (same)
(v4) Not Proud (Not arrogant) - Both convey the same idea, but “arrogant” emphasizes an attitude of superiority, while “proud” is broader.
(v5) Does not dishonor others (Not rude) - Greek: ou aschēmonei → literally “not behaving disgracefully.” ESV captures the blunt sense: love avoids rudeness. NIV expands it relationally: love doesn’t bring shame or dishonor to others.
(v5) Not self-seeking (Not insist on its own way) - Greek: ou zētei ta heautēs → “does not seek its own.” ESV emphasizes stubbornness or demanding one’s own way. NIV generalizes to selfishness.
(v5) Not easily angered (Not irritable) - Greek: ou paroxynetai → “not provoked.” ESV = love doesn’t get irritated or provoked. NIV = love isn’t quick-tempered. ESV stresses inner irritation; NIV stresses outward anger.
(v5) Keeps no record of wrongs (Not resentful) - Greek: ou logizetai to kakon → “does not count evil.” ESV = love doesn’t harbor resentment. NIV = love doesn’t keep score of offenses. ESV = inward attitude (resentment); NIV = outward practice (forgiveness).
(v6) Does not delight in evil (Does not rejoice at wrongdoing) - Both point to moral failure, but “evil” is broader, while “wrongdoing” is more specific.
(v6) Rejoices with the truth (same)
(v7) Always Protect, (Bears all things) - The Greek verb stegō literally means “to cover, to bear, to endure.” ESV emphasizes endurance and carrying burdens. NIV interprets it as “protects,” highlighting love’s shielding quality.
(v7) Always Trust, (Believes all things) - Both capture the idea of love’s confidence and trust. ESV stresses faith in God and others; NIV makes it more relational—trusting.
(v7) Always hopes, (Hopes all things) - Essentially the same meaning. Love remains hopeful in every situation.
(v7) Always persevere. (Endures all things) - Both emphasize steadfastness. ESV leans toward enduring hardship; NIV stresses perseverance through trials.

Exp: ESV stays closer to the literal Greek wording. NIV interprets the phrases in a more dynamic, everyday sense. Envy = I want what you have. Jealousy = I’m afraid of losing what I have. Self-seeking is the tendency to put one’s own interests, gain, or recognition first, even when it comes at the expense of others. In simple terms: “What’s in it for me?” becomes the main driver.

In v7, it is saying that love is consistently carrying:

Someone's burdens (Galatians 6:1-2). Love shares their struggles in life; Love protects the dignity of others and shields them from gossip and harm; Love defend others when they are vulnerable; Love guards those with weaker faith from stumbling; Love seeks the good of others, not their downfall.
Trusting in God's promises (Rom 4:20-21). Love gives the benefit of the doubt, choosing trust over suspicion (not gullibility, but relational confidence). Love believes God is at work in people, even when growth is slow.
Hopeful in God's ultimate redemption (Rom 8:24-25). Love hopes for the fulfillment of salvation and eternal life. Love hopes for change, reconciliation, and growth in those we care for. Love hopes for the day when faith becomes sight and all is made perfect (1 Cor 13:12).
Enduring in every circumstance (James 1:12). Love perseveres through hardship without giving up. Love endures offenses, disappointments, and misunderstandings without abandoning people. Love endures in faith even when God’s timing feels delayed.

(See Appendix for the opposite behavior of v4-7)

(v8-10) 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. But when completeness comes, what is in part disappear.

Exp: To understand why or when these gift will "cease", it's important to understand what it means by knowing what the phrase "when completeness comes" mean. In NKJ, the translation is "when that which is perfect has comes, then that which is part will be done away." People debate what "complete" or "perfect" mean. Some say:

The completion of Scripture (cessationist view): Gifts ceased once the canon was complete.
The maturity of the church: Gifts faded as the church grew in stability.
The return of Christ / eternal state (continuationist view): Gifts remain until Christ’s second coming, when we will see Him “face to face” (v. 12).

However, Paul's purpose is to compare love with these gifts. These gifts will cease in any of the above options, but Love will not cease even in heaven. (Please see Appendix for details about these gifts)

(v11-12) When I was a child, I talked like a child. I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I become a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a 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 a fully known.

Exp: Paul uses the metaphor of growing up to explain the difference between our current, partial understanding of God and the complete understanding we will have in eternity. Prophecy, tongues, and knowledge are valuable now, but they are limited—like the speech and reasoning of a child. When God’s kingdom is fully revealed, these partial gifts will no longer be necessary. Just as adulthood replaces childhood ways, perfect knowledge and direct communion with God will replace the temporary gifts.

In Paul's time, mirrors were made of polished metal and gave a dim, imperfect image. Our current understanding of God and His truth is unclear. In future when we are in God's presence, we will have a complete knowledge of Him, just like God fully knows me now.

(v13) And now these three thing remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Exp: There are 3 things that is absolutely critical in life. Faith is "trust without sight" (Heb 11:1; 2 Cor 5:7; John 20:29) - it is what we need to believe and trust in Jesus Christ to receive God's forgiveness. Hope looks forward to what God has promised but is not yet fulfilled. However, these two are temporary in function, for Faith will become sight; and Hope becomes fulfillment. Love does not change or fade; It is eternal because it is the very nature of God (1 John 4:8)

Key Messages

1 Corinthians 13 is Paul’s famous “Love Chapter,” placed between his teaching on spiritual gifts (chapters 12 and 14). Paul emphasizes that love is superior to all gifts, that it defines true Christian maturity, and that it endures eternally. The chapter moves from the necessity of love, to the nature of love, to the permanence of love compared to temporary gifts.

1. Without Love, Gifts Are Worthless (vv. 1–3)

Paul declares that speaking in tongues, prophecy, knowledge, faith, and even sacrificial generosity mean nothing if not motivated by love.

Application: Our talents, ministries, and sacrifices gain eternal value only when rooted in love. Love must be the motive behind every spiritual gift and act of service.

2. The Nature of Love (vv. 4–7)

Paul describes love as patient, kind, not envious or boastful, not arrogant or rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, and keeping no record of wrongs. Love rejoices in truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Application: This passage provides a practical checklist for how believers should treat one another. Love is not abstract—it is lived out in daily actions, relationships, and attitudes.

3. The Temporary Nature of Gifts vs. Eternal Love (vv. 8–10)

Prophecies, tongues, and knowledge will cease when perfection comes, but love never fails. Spiritual gifts are partial and temporary, while love is permanent.

Application: We should not elevate spiritual gifts above love. Gifts serve the church now, but love is the eternal reality that will continue into God’s kingdom.

4. From Childhood to Maturity (v. 11)

Paul compares the present use of gifts to childhood, which will be set aside when maturity comes.

Application: Spiritual growth means moving beyond dependence on gifts to embodying love as the mark of true maturity. Love is the adult stage of faith.

5. From Partial Knowledge to Full Vision (v. 12)

Paul explains that now we see dimly, like a reflection in a mirror, but one day we will see God face to face. Our knowledge is partial now, but will be complete in eternity.

Application: We live with limited understanding, but love bridges the gap until we see God fully. Love prepares us for eternity, where we will know Him as He knows us.

6. The Supremacy of Love (v. 13)

Faith, hope, and love remain, but the greatest of these is love.

Application: Love is the highest Christian virtue. It outlasts faith (which will become sight) and hope (which will be fulfilled). Love is eternal and must be central in the believer’s life.

Summary: 1 Corinthians 13 teaches that love is the essence of Christian life. Spiritual gifts are valuable but temporary; love is eternal. Love defines maturity, sustains relationships, and reflects God’s nature.

Appendix

1. Opposite Behavior Of Loving Others

Love IS:	Love IS NOT	How to Overcome
Patient	Impatience, irritation, quick temper	Practice slowing down, listening, and giving space; cultivate mindfulness and prayer for calmness.
Kind	Harshness, cruelty, indifference	Choose gentle words and small acts of service; intentionally look for ways to encourage others.
Does not envy	Jealousy, resentment of others’ success	Celebrate others’ blessings; keep gratitude lists to focus on what you have.
Does not boast	Bragging, self-promotion	Redirect praise to others; practice humility by acknowledging dependence on God and community.
Not arrogant / proud	Pride, superiority	Remember shared human weakness; seek feedback and admit mistakes.
Not rude/ dishonor others	Disrespect, dismissiveness	Show courtesy in speech and action; treat others with dignity regardless of status.
Does not insist on its own way/ self-seeking	Selfishness, stubbornness	Practice compromise; prioritize collective good over personal preference.
Not irritable/ easily angered	Easily angered, touchy	Identify triggers; develop patience through prayer, rest, and healthy boundaries.
does not keep record of wrongs / not resentful	Holding grudges, bitterness	Forgive intentionally; release past hurts through reconciliation or letting go.
Does not rejoice at wrongdoing/ does not delight in evil	Taking pleasure in harm or injustice	Stand against injustice; encourage righteousness and truth.
Rejoices with the truth	Ignoring truth, tolerating lies	Value honesty; speak truth in love even when uncomfortable.
Bears all things/ Always protects	Avoidance, giving up on others	Persevere in relationships; support others even in difficulty.
Believes all things/ always trust	Cynicism, distrust	Give benefit of the doubt; nurture trust through transparency.
Hopes all things/ Always hopes	Pessimism, despair	Encourage hope by focusing on God’s promises and future possibilities.
Endures all things, Always perseveres.	Quitting, abandoning others	Stay committed; cultivate resilience through prayer and community support.

This table shows how each quality of love has a shadow side that can block it, and how intentional practices can help us move back toward genuine love.

2. The Ceasing Of The Gifts

The third point is saying when God's "plan is complete" and we are in heaven, these gifts are no longer necessary. When things are fully known, there's no need for prophecy. We don't need to speak in tongues as we will be speaking one language in heaven. We have partial divine knowledge of God's and His mysteries, but we will know everything in heaven. These spiritual gifts are valuable, but they are temporary only in our life; only love is permanent, even to the future.

Because of this verse, some denomination do not believe that people can speak in angelic tongues, and they say that people who it is speaking by themselves, not by the Spirit. For me, I cannot restrict what God wants to do. Though I believe some people who speak in tongues are "acting" it, some of them may still have that gift, but they should do it silently, and not over a microphone. Also the "prophecies of the future" is definitely ceased.

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