The priority of Love

 Read 1 Corinthians 13.

Chapters 12-14 are answering questions the Corinthians asked concerning spiritual gifts.  In chapter 12, the Apostle Paul laid out the basics.  Every believer has a spiritual gift and it is to be employed for the benefit of others.  The proper working of each part of the church in using that gift is necessary for the health of the body.  Though some may be more visible than others, all are of equal value.

But there is an overriding requirement for one using their gift.  Without genuine, sacrificial love (agape) for those to whom one is ministering, the gift is of no spiritual value.

1. The categories of the gifts. (vv.1-3)
The list of gifts is often categorized into three groups: sign gifts, speaking gifts, and serving gifts.  In verses 1-3, Paul used an example from each category and proclaimed that unless they are properly used with the motive of love for the recipients each would amount to nothing.  A spiritually effective teacher first must love those learners.  One who serves must do so with love for those being served.  Otherwise, it amounts to nothing more than what an unbeliever might do.

2. The characteristics of love. (vv.4-7)
What is love?  Fourteen practical characteristics are provided here.  Note that seven of them are positive traits, while the remaining seven are stated negatively.

3. The continuation of love. (vv.8-13)
Further, it is explained that all spiritual gifts are temporal, even incomplete.  A point will be reached when they will no longer be needed.  But for now in our service for Christ we have faith, hope and love.  And, "Love never ends."

Why is love the greatest?
One day we will no longer need faith.  Our faith will become sight.
One day we will no longer need hope.  Our hope will become reality.
But forever we will love and be loved by the One who "loved us and gave himself up for us." (Ephesians 5:2)