What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 13:13? And now Paul draws a clear line between temporary gifts and enduring virtues. After describing how tongues, prophecy, and knowledge will pass away (1 Corinthians 13:8–10), he says, “And now…”—meaning in the present age, right at this moment—we possess something better and lasting. This echoes Jesus’ teaching that heaven and earth may pass away, “but My words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35), underscoring the permanence of what God esteems. These three remain Only faith, hope, and love are said to “remain.” Everything else believers prize—spiritual gifts, earthly accomplishments, even physical life—eventually fades. • 1 Peter 1:24–25 reminds us that “all flesh is like grass… but the word of the Lord stands forever.” • Colossians 3:2 calls us to “set your minds on things above, not on earthly things,” because the eternal outlasts the temporal. Faith • Defined by Scripture: “Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). • Necessary for salvation: “For by grace you have been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8–9). • Walk of life: “We walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7). Faith anchors us to Christ’s finished work, giving believers confidence in every promise of God. Hope • Living hope: “He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:3). • Steadfast anchor: “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19). • Joyful expectation: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe” (Romans 15:13). Hope fixes our eyes on the future fulfillment of God’s plan, empowering perseverance during trials (Romans 5:3–5). Love • The new command: “Love one another. Just as I have loved you” (John 13:34). • Supreme motive: “The entire Law is fulfilled in a single decree: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Galatians 5:14). • Tangible proof: “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers” (1 John 3:14). Love expresses God’s own nature (1 John 4:8) and spills over into sacrificial actions that reflect Christ’s love for us (Ephesians 5:2). But the greatest of these is love Love surpasses faith and hope because: • Love is eternal—faith will become sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) and hope will be realized (Romans 8:24–25), but love endures forever (1 Corinthians 13:8). • Love is the essence of God’s character (1 John 4:16). • Love is the fulfillment of both commandments and prophecy (Matthew 22:37–40). Thus, while faith and hope are indispensable now, love remains pre-eminent both now and in eternity. summary 1 Corinthians 13:13 steers us toward what truly lasts. In a world fascinated by the spectacular, God points to faith that trusts Him, hope that anticipates His promises, and love that mirrors His heart. Among these, love stands supreme, for it never ends and most clearly displays who God is and how His people are to live. |
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