What actions are "nothing" without love, according to 1 Corinthians 13:3? The Key Verse “ If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:3) Actions Called “Nothing” If Love Is Missing • Giving away every earthly possession to help the poor • Enduring even the ultimate bodily sacrifice—yielding one’s body to suffering or death Why These Actions Fall Short Without Love • God weighs motives (1 Samuel 16:7); love must drive our deeds. • Generosity without love can be self-promotion (Matthew 6:1-2). • Martyr-like sacrifice without love can be empty pride (Philippians 1:17). • Only love fulfills the law (Romans 13:8-10); without it, the most heroic act earns “nothing.” Related Scriptures That Echo the Same Truth • 1 John 3:16-17 — True love lays down life and shares worldly goods. • John 15:13 — The greatest love is sacrificial, modeled by Christ. • Galatians 5:6 — “Faith working through love” is what counts. • Colossians 3:14 — Love binds all virtues together in perfect unity. Taking It to Heart Generosity and sacrifice are commendable, yet Scripture insists that love—selfless, Christ-like, Spirit-borne—is the indispensable ingredient. Without it, even the costliest gifts or the boldest acts amount to zero in God’s ledger. |
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