1 Corinthians 13:1 - Meaning and Application

Here the apostle explains the “more excellent way” he had in mind at the end of the previous chapter, namely charity, or love, from the Greek word agape. This is not just giving money to the poor, which is how people often use the word charity today. It means love in its fullest sense, true love for God and for others, along with a kind and generous heart toward fellow Christians that grows out of sincere devotion to God.

This living principle of all obedience is better than every spiritual gift. In fact, without it, even the greatest gifts mean nothing and count for nothing in God’s sight. Paul first mentions the gift of tongues: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1). Even if a person could speak every language on earth with perfect skill, or speak like an angel, it would still be only empty noise without love. Talking fluently, beautifully, or with much learning about the things of God will not save us or help others if holy love is missing. God values the loving heart, not just the skilled tongue. Paul mentions this gift first because the Corinthians especially prized it and looked down on others for not having it.

He next mentions prophecy, understanding mysteries, and all knowledge. Without charity, all of that is nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2). A person might deeply understand Old Testament prophecies and symbols, or know the doctrines of Christianity very accurately, even by inspiration from the Holy Spirit, and still be nothing if love is absent. A sharp mind means little without a kind and generous heart. God does not place value on knowledge by itself, but on sincere devotion and love.

Paul then speaks of miraculous faith, the kind of faith that could do miracles. “If I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains,” or tell them to move into the sea, “and have not charity, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:2; Mark 11:23). Even the most remarkable miracle-working faith, where almost nothing seems impossible, is still nothing without love. Moving mountains may seem great to people, but in God’s eyes a little charity is worth far more than all that kind of faith in the world. Some may do mighty works in Christ’s name, yet he will reject them and say, “Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:22-23). Saving faith always goes together with charity, but miracle-working faith can exist without it.

Paul also includes outward acts of charity, such as giving away all one’s goods to feed the poor (1 Corinthians 13:3). Even if a person gave everything he owned in this way, it would profit him nothing without charity. A hand can be open and generous while the heart is still selfish and unloving. A person may give alms from a bad motive, such as pride or a desire for praise. Good deeds to others do not benefit us if they are not done from devotion to God and love for people. If charity is left out of religion, even the most costly service will do us no good. If we give away all we have, while holding our heart back from God, it will not profit us.

Paul goes further and includes suffering, even the worst kind: “If we give our bodies to be burned,” without charity, “it profiteth nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3). Even if someone gave his life for the gospel and was burned to death for defending its truth, that would still help him nothing unless he was moved by true devotion to God, sincere love for his church and people, and goodwill toward everyone. A person’s outward actions can look noble while the inward motive is very wrong. Some have even thrown themselves into the fire just to gain fame among people. It is also possible for someone to be ready to die for a religion he never truly believed or embraced from the heart.

So defending religion at the cost of our lives will not profit us if we do not feel its power. True charity is the very heart and spirit of religion. If there is no holy fire in our hearts, then even being burned to ashes for the truth will do us no good. The most painful sufferings and the most costly sacrifices will not commend us to God if we do not love the brothers and sisters. How strange it is, then, to try to please God by burning others, by murder, massacre, torment, or any cruel treatment of fellow Christians. Let my soul have nothing to do with such secrets. If I cannot hope to recommend myself to God by giving my own body to be burned while I have no charity, I should never think I can do it by burning or mistreating others in clear defiance of love.