Devotional 1 Corinthians 13: Love Above All Gifts Reflection on 1 Corinthians 13: why love is superior to any spiritual gift, fulfilling the greatest commandment, and the purpose of serving others. Topics: Devotional, New Testament.

Devotional 1 Corinthians 13: Love Above All Gifts

Today’s devotional is found in the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, and this was what happened.

Synopsis: In this chapter, Paul continues explaining in his letter to the Christians in Corinth that one may possess all spiritual gifts, but without love it is worth nothing. For love is more important than all spiritual gifts.

Observations

These were my observations.

1. Love is the most important thing. Paul continues his explanation regarding the questions raised by the Corinthian Christians, showing them that love is of supreme importance (1 Corinthians 13:13). Love stands above all spiritual gifts because the two greatest commandments for a Christian are to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37–40). That is to say, none of the spiritual gifts (the message of wisdom, the message of knowledge, faith, the working of miracles, healing the sick, prophecy, distinguishing between spirits, speaking in tongues, or the interpretation of tongues) are more important than loving God and loving one’s neighbor. For it is useless to have the gift of faith if you do not use it to serve God and love your neighbor (1 Corinthians 13:1–3). And the same is true of all other gifts. They were given to us by God for the purpose of serving Him. That is, so that we may use them to express our love for God and for others. Therefore, we must never forget that our ultimate purpose is to love. For all the gifts God gave us are meant to serve this purpose—never for self-glorification or pursuing our own selfish will.