Thoughts on 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Thoughts on 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 by John W. Ritenbaugh

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. (2) 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. (3) 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."

I Corinthians 8:1 says, "Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies [builds up]."

"Puffs up," when opposed to "edifies," implies tearing down, destruction. Paul is saying that pride has the power to corrupt the bearer of knowledge.

This statement is part of the prologue to the great chapter on love, written because the Corinthians had allowed their emphasis to drift into the wrong areas. Even as a gift from God, knowledge has the potential to corrupt its recipient, if it is unaccompanied by love.

Paul thus begins chapter 13 by contrasting love with other gifts of God. He does this to emphasize love's importance, completeness, permanence, and supremacy over all other qualities we consider important to life and/or God's purpose.

Prophecies end because they are fulfilled.

The value of the gift of tongues depends on specific needs.

Knowledge is increasing so rapidly that old knowledge, especially in technical areas, becomes obsolete as new developments arise.

Yet the need for love is never exhausted; it never becomes obsolete.

God wants us to use it on every occasion.