(3) The eternity of love (13:8-13)

Love is superior to all other attributes or achievements because it never fails (13:8a). Of the familiar Christian triad—faith, hope, and love—which comprehends Christian existence as a whole for the present, love is the greatest (v.13), for it lasts forever. When the future age comes in its fullness, faith and hope will give way to sight (see Ro 4:14-22; 8:24-25). Then will remain only love, intimate, personal relationship with God (v.12). All that is partial and imperfect will disappear when the age to come dawns in perfection (vv.9-10). Just as the speech, the thoughts, and the reasoning of childhood are abandoned when one reaches adulthood, so the partial and indirect knowledge of the present will give way to full and intimate knowledge of God in the coming age (vv.11-12). Spiritual gifts, which now mediate the life of God to the community, will no longer be necessary when I shall know fully, even as I am fully known (v.12).

Paul’s lengthy “digression” on love prepares for ch. 14, providing the rationale for Paul’s preference for prophecy over tongues. Spiritual gifts are meaningful only within a community in which love for others, not selfinterest, dominates. Love is not an end in itself. Its excellence resides in its ability to build up others (see 8:1). The effectiveness of prophecy as an instrument of love upbuilding the church is the basis for Paul’s preference of it to tongues (14:3, 4, 5, 12, 17, 26).

Ch. 13 is a forceful critique of arrogant Corinthian spirituality. Paul does not deny the genuineness of spiritual gifts, but he dismisses their value as evidence of spiritual superiority. Submission to the lordship of Christ, not inspiration, is the hallmark of spiritual people (12:1-3). Holy love, not gifts, is the one essential evidence of the Spirit-filled life (Ch. 13; 8:1; 16:14). Ch. 13 prepares for the central emphasis of ch. 14: Clear, intelligible communication, not confusion and chaos, is to characterize everything that is said and done when Christians gather together. Edification, not enthusiasm, is the criterion by which spiritual gifts should be measured. Others, not self, are to be the focus of Christian existence. In a word, the pursuit of love succinctly describes the Christian way of life (14:1).

In recognizing love as the highest goal of the Christian life, Wesleyans have correctly caught the emphasis of 1 Co 13. Nevertheless, our emphasis on perfect love makes us especially vulnerable to ridicule when we fail to demonstrate it. Have we lived out our profession in dealing with tongues-speakers in our churches? Have we shown them patience and kindness (13:4)? Have we kept no record of wrongs (v.5)? Have we given them the advantage of the doubt (v.7)?