1 Corinthians 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
The second comparison is with the gift of prophecy. Tongues (v. 1) and prophecy (2) are the key topics in ch. 14. The Corinthians had the value and use of these two gifts mixed up. They may have boasted in their spiritual abilities to speak in tongues and prophecy, yet they were divided and accepted sexual immorality in their midst. Prophecy can be perceived as evidence that God is with a person. But the Bible and history shows that there are many false prophets. Prophecy is not necessarily proof of spiritual maturity or blessing from God. This gift can be imitated. Paul will put qualifications on prophecy in the next chapter so that the Corinthians understand the purpose of this gift.
Knowledge was also a problem in this church, as chs. 8-10 indicate. Certain persons in the church had knowledge about the nature of idols, that they are nothing but human-made objects that people attach worth to. These objects also give demons opportunity to draw people into evil. Having knowledge is a temptation to boast in one’s abilities. Paul adds emphasis here with the word “all.” Even being the smartest person in the world is meaningless without love. The word “knowledge” comes from the same Greek word for which the heresy “Gnosticism” came. Gnosticism was starting to emerge as a heresy in different places in the early church. This heresy would grow over the next century. The Corinthians may have been tempted to begin to consider the tenants of Gnosticism, although what we see at that time is only the beginnings of this teaching. Corinth was also near Athens, one of the most famous places for knowledge and education in the ancient world, although its glory days were in the past.
The third spiritual gift mentioned is faith. Faith involves putting our trust in God, even when we do not know for sure the outcome. It requires trust in what is not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Paul uses the same type of hyperbole as Jesus in Matthew 17:20, “if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.'” This type of faith is beyond our imagination. That is the whole point of the saying. Loving others is even more significant than the most outlandish and unbelievable faith.
This trio of spiritual abilities could be perceived as indicators of spiritual maturity. They are special gifts and things that many believers seek to have in one way or another. But they are all meaningless without love. These qualities are not bad to seek. In fact, throughout the Bible, these are qualities that the people of God should seek to have. The problem is when these are used for selfish reasons and not out of love and concern for others. Love should be the fuel and motivation to inspire believers to seek these gifts. Love will put the needs of others ahead of our own. If we seek these gifts, we must do so out of love for others. We want to see them come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
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