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"And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries (secrets) and all
knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am
nothing" (13: 2 R.V.).
The Apostle ranked prophecy much higher than the gift of tongues (14: 1-4), but even
prophecy or such faith that could accomplish what was seemingly impossible (`remove
mountains'), was useless without love, and rendered such a person as nothing, an
absolute zero.
One could give away all one's goods to the poor and needy, and even be willing to
suffer a martyr's death (whether by being burned or by self-immolation is not clear),
and it would profit nothing. There is an alternative reading "that I may glory", as
the reason for acts of charity, which would nullify its virtue by the wrong motive of
self-aggrandizement (note the R.V. margin).
There is no record of martyrdom by fire before the persecutions under Nero, but in
spite of this it is quite likely that the Byzantine text of the A.V. is right and that Paul is
taking his instruction to a climax in saying in effect, "Even if I give myself up to the most
painful of deaths in some great cause, but have no divine love, it would do me no good."
This is startling but true, and it means to say that all of us should be honest with ourselves
and make sure of our motives for Christian service. Is it being done to please ourselves in
some way, because it appeals to us? Are we doing it in order to please others? Do we
want to give an impression before others of being a splendid charitable character? All
these motives are wrong, and in the Lord's assessment for service, will profit NOTHING.
There is only ONE motive that the Lord will accept, and that is real love for Him. It is
the "love of Christ" that "constraineth us", said the Apostle (II Cor. 5: 14) and this is the
only reason for service that counts with our Master.
Paul now proceeds to describe such a love in action. It is easier to say what love will
or will not do, rather than to state what it is.
"Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not
puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not provoked,
taketh not account of evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth"
(13: 4-6 R.V.).
This love does not lose patience with others, however provoking they may be
("long-suffering").
It is always kind (chrestos from chraomai, to use), meaning
gracious, useful. Love is not envious or jealous, a bad sin that can creep insidiously into
the heart of a believer and blight his thinking and Christian activities.
Love does not brag ("vaunteth not itself"), is not arrogant and full of self-importance
("puffed up"). It does not behave in an unseemly or indecent way, nor is it selfish,
seeking its own interests. Love does not get irritable ("provoked"), or put evil down to
any one's account. It does not rejoice at unrighteousness, taking pleasure at being
censorious, or having a sense of superiority, but rather rejoices in what is opposite,
namely, the truth.