The Greatest of These

But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.  –1Corinthians 13:13 

At our Longhorn Life Bible study this past week we discussed love and focused a lot on 1 Corinthians 13. One of the discussion questions was:  Out of faith, hope and love, why is love the greatest? It was a simple question, but it really made me think a lot. I quickly read the context of that verse and was reminded that the “love chapter” is surrounded by the topic of spiritual gifts. Then I realized in chapter 14 Paul talks about the gifts of prophesy and speaking in tongues. Just after stating that love was the greatest of the three, Paul says in 1Cor. 14:1-4:

Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries. But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. 

I wonder if the reason love is the “greatest” is because it doesn’t just edify – or benefit - yourself (like the gift of tongues), but edifies others as well (like the gift of prophesy). God uses all three to benefit yourself personally, but love takes it a step further and produces kind works, edifying speech, and good attitudes toward others in order that they may benefit also.