Paul devotes an entire chapter to “love” (I Corinthians 13).
In :2 he tells us that, even though he had two noble things – knowledge and faith – without love, he boldly declares, “I am nothing.”
In :3 he speaks of sacrificial giving and martyrdom and says that, even with these, without faith they “profit nothing.”
The Beatles sang, “All you need is love.” This was not the message of Paul; but he did say that love was essential, indispensable. We can have everything else, and not having love we would be nothing, and that it all would be profitless.
He sums it up in :13 to tell us that love is faith’s and hope’s (or expectation’s) superior, “but the greatest of these is love.”
Love is, without a doubt, the most powerful element of existence. Countless people have given their lives in the name of love, while countless others have
taken their own lives in hopeless pursuit of it. The effects of love range from the darkest depths to the loftiest heights; but how many people fully grasp the true nature of love?
How can we begin to define the far-reaching facets of something as complex as love? For starters, we can consult the Word of the very One Who gave us love.
Paul gives us a vivid account of the attributes of love in I Corinthians 13. Here, we read that love is patient, kind, not envious or boastful, arrogant or rude. It is not selfish, irritable or resentful, and rejoices with truth while opposing wrongdoing. It bears, believes, hopes and endures all things…
