And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
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.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:8a, 13 NIV
In the midst of a discussion, and correction, concerning gifts and their usage, Paul interjected this discourse on love. This may initially seem out of place. But the church at Corinth was bickering about many things, including the giftedness Paul is discussing. And so he reminds them that there is something better than any spiritual gift they might seek. And that is love.
Love is better than speaking in any heavenly or earthly language. Without love, my works are just noise
I might be able to deliver a message from God or have faith that can move mountains. But if those gifts are not exercised in love, I am nothing. Regardless of what other people think of me.
I might give away everything I have to feed the poor. And I might go through great hardship in the Lord’s service. But if I lack love, I have gained nothing.
No matter what your gift is and how well you use it, without love, it is worthless. To love is greater than anything else we can aspire to. Follow the way of love, the most excellent way!
