1 Corinthians 13: The Greatest is Love

 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 a non-believer comes in to the church, they will think you are out of your mind. (1 Cor 14:23)

(v4-7) Love is:

1. Patient
2. Kind
3. Does not envy 
4. Does not boast
5. Not Proud
6. Does not dishonor others
7. Not self-seeking
8. Not easily angered
9. Keeps no record of wrongs
10. Does not delight in evil
11. Rejoices with the truth  
12. Always Protect,
13. Always Trust,
14. Always hopes, 
15. Always persevere. 

Exp: 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.

(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: When Paul says these gifts will cease, he meant that when God's plan is complete and we are in heaven, these gifts are no longer necessary. When things are full know, 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. Spiritual gift is valuable, but they are temporary; only love is permanent. 

(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.