I Corinthians 13

“If I speak with the tongues of men and angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal” (v1).  In Paul’s time, these were admired badges of spirituality: charismatic gifts like prophecy and tongues, great faith, knowledge, sacrificial generosity, and the willingness to be persecuted (v1-3).  Amazingly, he says that if we have these wonderful things but not love, we are “nothing.” 

According to Paul, love is the small daily interactions between people.  Love “is patient, love is kind … does not brag and is not arrogant …does not seek its own” (v4-5).