The greatest of these is love
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 dishonour 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. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became 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 am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:1–13 (NIVUK)
Introduction
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Epiphany season reveals Jesus Christ as the light of the world, the Savior who makes God’s love visible to all. Today’s reading from 1 Corinthians 13 calls us to reflect on the central theme of God’s love—not as an abstract idea, but as the very foundation of our lives as Christians. Paul writes to the Corinthian church, a community struggling with divisions, pride, and competition over spiritual gifts. He reminds them that no gift or accomplishment has meaning without love. This passage is not just a poetic reflection but a powerful call to action for every believer.
This Word describes three characteristics of love that make it the greatest gift:
Love’s Necessity: Without love, even the greatest gifts are worthless.
Love’s Character: Love is not self-serving but self-giving, reflecting Christ Himself.
Love’s Permanence: Love endures forever, making it the greatest gift of all.
As we dwell in this Word today, let us have open ears to hear it and hearts to receive it. Let’s pray…
Lord, sanctify us in your truth. Your Word is truth. Amen.
Necessity: without love, we are nothing
“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.” (1 Cor. 13:1)
Paul critiques the Corinthians’ fixation on spiritual gifts without love as the foundation. Even the most impressive gifts are hollow without love.
If someone is gifted in talking about their faith and does it often, it can either be uplifting or extremely annoying. You know the kind of person I’m talking about—that person who always has the right answer at your small group (or at least tries to answer every single question), that pastor who always has something theological to say, or that confident public speaker who always has the right words on-stage and in private conversation.
Without love, that person is just a clanging cymbal—they are irritating, they get on your nerves, they stop you from hearing anyone or anything else, and you’ll have a headache after a while. Only when combined with love do spiritual gifts serve their true purpose of building people up.
The Greek word agape speaks of a selfless, sacrificial love—a reflection of Christ’s love for us. For me, 1 John 4 comes to mind: “We love because He first loved us.” The source of all genuine and selfless love is Christ Himself.
God’s love for us is unearned and undeserved. He demonstrated this love most clearly in sending His Son to die for us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). Because He loved us first, we are enabled and empowered to love others. Jesus embodies all the characteristics of love in 1 Corinthians 13—patient, kind, humble, and enduring. As we receive His love, we are enabled, called, and even privileged to reflect it in our own relationships, both within and outside the church community.
True agape love is not something we manufacture on our own; it flows from the love we have first received from God. When we understand the depth of His love for us, it overflows into our love for others. At least, it is supposed to.
Agape love can exist in all our relationships: family and friends, church community, and professional.
Have you ever walked away from a conversation thinking about how good your point was, while completely forgetting what the other person said?
In our congregational life, can we be more focussed on putting on a polished worship service and running efficient meetings than actually listening to and loving our brothers and sisters in Christ?
In your work and service to the community, are you striving for recognition more than seeking to show kindness and care for those you work with and serve?
The love we are called to reflect is the love that God has first shown us. When we fail and recognise that failure before him and each other, He shows mercy and grace to us. He shows His love to us in Jesus, always more ready to forgive than we are to front up to our mistakes.
Character: what love is and isn’t
“Love is patient, love is kind… It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” (1 Cor. 13:4–5)
Paul does not define love by feelings or emotions, which is how we tend to think about love. Instead, he describes it in terms of actions and attitudes. As you work through the list, each characteristic is a challenge to love better, as well as a gift to be thankful for.
Love is patient. It endures difficulties, challenges, irritations, and frustrations. God shows this patience toward us (2 Peter 3:9), giving time for repentance and growth. Is our love patient, or do we expect instant results and quick change?
Love is kind. Kindness is not just the absence of cruelty but the presence of goodness and grace. It’s not just about avoiding poor treatment of people, but treating them well. We know that Jesus embodied a kind love in His interactions, healing the sick, welcoming sinners, and forgiving His enemies. Is our love kind, showing kindness even when it is inconvenient or undeserved?
Love does not envy. It doesn’t begrudge the success, gifts, or happiness of others. Envy is a silent killer, gradually eroding relationships and it breeds bitterness deep below the surface until, one day, the relationship completely dissolves. Are there times when we quietly compare ourselves to others, wishing we had what they had or thinking well of ourselves against them?
Love does not boast and isn’t proud. It doesn’t seek attention or demand recognition. Jesus, though God, humbled Himself to serve (Philippians 2:5-8). Do we ever seek credit for our good deeds, or are we willing to serve quietly?
Love does not dishonour others. It respects the dignity of other people. It doesn’t ever humiliate, manipulate, or degrade them in any way. Do our words and actions reflect honour and respect, even in difference or disagreement?
Love is not self-seeking. It puts the needs of others ahead of personal gain. For Jesus, this ultimately led to laying down His life for us (John 15:13). Are we willing to put aside our own comfort, preferences, or time for the sake of others?
Love is not easily angered. It doesn’t harbour resentment or hold grudges. It doesn’t mean never feeling angry—we know God gets angry at times—but it doesn’t have to control or define us. Most importantly, it doesn’t lead to harm in any way. Do we react in frustration too quickly, or do we patiently extend grace?
Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love forgives, releasing grievances rather than holding on to them. God, in Christ, does not count our sins against us (2 Corinthians 5:19). Do we bring up past wrongs in arguments or truly let them go?
This passage describes love not as a feeling but as a way of living, rooted in Christ’s love for us. When we struggle to love in these ways, we return to the One who first loved us (1 John 4:19), asking Him to shape our hearts and actions. In Jesus, we know exactly what love is and what it is not.
Permanence: love is the greatest gift
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor. 13:13)
Love outlasts all because it reflects the very nature of God. Faith and hope are two critical parts of what it is to be God’s people, but love will ultimately outlast them both.
Faith is trusting in what we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1), and hope is the confident expectation of God’s promises being fulfilled. In the eternal kingdom, faith will become sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) as we behold God face to face, and hope will be realized when all promises are fulfilled (Romans 8:24-25). These virtues are essential for this earthly life, but they will no longer be necessary in the same way in eternity.
Love, on the other hand, will never fade or cease because it is the essence of our relationship with God and with one another. While faith and hope will find their completion, love continues as the eternal bond of unity in the presence of God. Love is not just something God does; it is who He is (1 John 4:8). His eternal nature as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is a relationship of perfect love. Because love is rooted in God’s being, it will never pass away—it is as eternal as God Himself.
Jesus’ sacrificial love on the cross reveals the depth and permanence of God’s love for humanity (Romans 5:8). This love reconciles us to God and ensures that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39).
Paul holds up love as the single greatest spiritual gift. The love we practice in this life reflects the eternal love we will experience fully in God’s presence. Our acts of love now are not temporary; they are part of God’s eternal kingdom breaking into the present.
Faith and hope prepare us for eternity, but love is the eternal reality we will live in.
Love is not only about our eternal future with Christ—it also transforms the present. Without it, even the greatest deeds or spiritual gifts are meaningless. Even the right answers at the Bible study or the greatest sermon from the most brilliant pastor will be worth nothing without love. By pursuing love and reflecting the characteristics Paul describes, we align our lives with what truly matters and what will last into eternity.
Conclusion
As we reflect on the permanence and character of love in 1 Corinthians 13, we are drawn into the broader Epiphany theme: Christ revealed as the light of the world, God’s love made manifest. In Jesus, the perfect love of God has been fully revealed—a love that is patient, kind, and self-giving, a love that endures forever. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ has illuminated the path of love for us to walk, showing us that love is not merely an ideal but a calling rooted in His example and empowered by His Spirit.
As recipients of Christ’s love, we are called to embody that love in every aspect of our lives. May His love shape your relationships, soften your heart toward your neighbour, and strengthen your resolve to serve with humility and grace. In doing so, we glorify God and shine His light into a world in desperate need of the love we have first received.
“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift of love!” (2 Corinthians 9:15) Amen.
