1Though 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.
4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
What’s happening. The Corinthian church was proud of its spiritual gifts, like speaking in tongues and prophecy. Paul places this chapter on love in the middle of his teaching about those gifts.
What it means. Without love, the most impressive gifts are just noise. Even great knowledge, faith that moves mountains, and giving everything away count for nothing without love. Love is not an extra. It is what gives everything else its worth.
What’s happening. Continuing the love chapter. Although it is often read at weddings, Paul wrote it to a quarrelling church.
What it means. Paul describes love by what it does: it is patient and kind, it doesn’t envy or boast, it isn’t rude or self-seeking, it keeps no record of wrongs, and it always protects, trusts, hopes and perseveres. Many readers notice it is also a portrait of Jesus.
What’s happening. The end of the love chapter. Paul has said that spiritual gifts like prophecy will one day end.
What it means. Right now we see only partly, like a dim reflection in an ancient mirror. One day we will see face to face and know fully. Faith, hope and love remain, and the greatest of these is love, because love will last forever.