I may be able to speak the languages of human beings and even of angels, but if I have no LOVE, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains- but if I have no LOVE, I am nothing. I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned- but if I have no LOVE, this does me no good. LOVE is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; LOVE is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; LOVE does not keep a record of wrongs; LOVE is not happy with evil, but happy with the truth; LOVE never gives up; it’s faith, hope, and patience never fail; It is in fact, the only thing that STANDS when all else has FALLEN…
LOVE is eternal. There are inspired messages, but they are temporary; there are gifts of speaking in strange tongues, but they will cease; there is knowledge, but it will pass. For our gifts of knowledge and of inspired messages are only partial; but when what is perfect comes, then what is partial will disappear.
When I was a child, my speech, feelings, and thinking were all those of a child; now that I am an adult, I have no more use for childish ways. What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face. What I know now is only partial, then it will be complete- as complete as GOD’s knowledge of me. Meanwhile these three remain: FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE; and the greatest of these is LOVE…
It is LOVE then that you should strive for. Set your hearts on spiritual gifts, especially the gift of proclaiming GOD’s message. Those who speak in strange tongues do not speak to others but to GOD, because no one understands them. They are speaking secret truths by the power of the Spirit. But those who proclaim GOD’s message speak to people and give them help, encouragement, and comfort. Those who speak in strange tongues help only themselves, but those who proclaim GOD’s message help the whole church… (Corinthians 13-1:13 and Corinthians 14-1:4)
