(1 Corinthians 13:1-3 KJV) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Although you may not be aware of it, what you are reading here refers to people with many sought after gifts of the spirit. It begins with people gifted in speaking in unknown tongues and preaching. It moves on to prophecy, wisdom and knowledge. It concludes with faith and giving then throws in martyrdom for good measure.
The basic message is that no matter how gifted you are, if you do not “have” agape love, you might as well have nothing.
This first part of the Love Chapter also focuses on telling us what love is not. Sometimes that helps us to see what love is. Our culture is so full of twisted ideas of what it calls “love” that the meaning has been totally lost. Love is not squishy. Love is not empathy. Love is not irrational.
Love is required.
homo unius libri
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Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.