1 Corinthians 13:1-13 touches on some widely debated theological issues and if we aren’t careful it’s easy to get so wrapped up in these issues that we miss the whole point. We want to be attentive to what this passage teaches about spiritual gifts like tongues and prophecy, but we must also let Paul’s focus be our focus.
As important as the spiritual gifts are, far more important is it that we love one another. In our passage this week, Paul sets love apart as the highest of Christian virtues. Love is what marks us as Christians and enables the proper use of every spiritually gift. It is not giftedness but love for Christ and His church that produces spiritual maturity.