1 Corinthians 13

First Corinthians chapter thirteen extols the paramount importance of charity, asserting its superiority over all spiritual gifts and good deeds. Without charity, even speaking in tongues, prophesying, understanding mysteries, or possessing great faith is deemed profitless and empty. The chapter then describes the enduring qualities of charity, such as patience, kindness, and humility, contrasting them with the temporary nature of other spiritual manifestations.

This chapter, often called the 'love chapter,' profoundly emphasizes that charity is the most excellent way. It begins by declaring that possessing extraordinary spiritual gifts like speaking in tongues, prophecy, or even faith to move mountains, without charity, renders one as mere noise or nothing. Furthermore, acts of extreme generosity or self-sacrifice are profitless if charity is absent. The text then meticulously delineates the characteristics of charity, describing it as long-suffering, kind, not envious, not boastful, not puffed up, and not behaving unseemly. Charity seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil, and rejoices in truth rather than iniquity. It bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things. The chapter concludes by highlighting that while prophecies, tongues, and knowledge will cease or vanish, charity never faileth, affirming its eternal nature alongside faith and hope, with charity being the greatest.

First Corinthians chapter thirteen serves as a profound exposition on the preeminence of charity, asserting its absolute necessity above all other spiritual endowments and human endeavors. The apostle Paul begins by stating that even if one possesses the most impressive spiritual gifts, such as speaking in the tongues of men and angels, or has the gift of prophecy, understanding all mysteries and knowledge, or possesses faith strong enough to remove mountains, without charity, these are utterly worthless, rendering one as mere sounding brass or nothing. Similarly, extreme acts of benevolence, like giving all one's goods to the poor, or even martyrdom, are profitless without charity. The chapter then meticulously details the attributes of charity, describing it as long-suffering and kind, free from envy, boasting, or pride. Charity is portrayed as decorous, selfless, not easily provoked, and free from malice. It finds no joy in unrighteousness but delights in truth, bearing, believing, hoping, and enduring all things. A critical distinction is then drawn between the permanence of charity and the temporary nature of spiritual gifts. Prophecies will fail, tongues will cease, and knowledge will vanish, as our current understanding is partial. This partiality is likened to a child's understanding, which is put away upon reaching maturity, and our current perception is described as seeing 'through a glass, darkly,' in contrast to a future face-to-face knowing. The chapter culminates by affirming that three virtues endure: faith, hope, and charity, with charity being the greatest of these.