Daily Devotions
Filled with the Holy Spirit
"But have not love..."
Text: 1 Corinthians 13:1
COMPARING LOVE WITH SPIRITUAL GIFTS
The Apostle made a very forceful comparison between “love” and spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 13.
1. Spiritual gifts
Six were highlighted:-
a) The gift of being able to speak with different tongues (languages) {1 Corinthians 13:1}.
b) The gift of prophecy (1 Corinthians 13:2).
c) Understanding all mysteries and all knowledge (1 Corinthians 13:2).
d) All faith (meaning, “a faith that can move mountains”) {1 Corinthians 13:2}.
e) Ability to bestow all wealth to feed the poor (philanthropy) {1 Corinthians 13:3}.
f) Ability to sacrifice oneself as a martyr (1 Corinthians 13:3).
2. “But have not love”
a) Being able to speak in foreign languages but no love.
Likened to “sounding brass or a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1).
b) Even having faith that can move mountains, but there is an absence of love.
A sober word: “I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2).
c) Great works but no love, another sober word: “It profits me nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:3)
GIFTS MAY NOT LAST FOREVER
The Apostle Paul understood that the spiritual gifts were not meant to last forever. They have their limitations.
1. The gift of prophecy
That would come to an end. (A very strong word was used to describe the end of prophecy) {1 Corinthians 13:8}
2. The gift of tongues
That will cease (1 Corinthians 13:8).
3. The gift of knowledge
That will vanish away (1 Corinthians 13:8).
THE GREATEST GIFT
In a final word, the Apostle Paul had this to say about the significance of “love”.
“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three;
but the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13