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 have not love, I am nothing.
Review yesterday's verse - can you remember it? If not, review it a few more times before moving on to today's verse. Work on today's verse by breaking it down into sections. Work on just one phrase at a time - don't try to do the whole thing at once to prevent discouragement. We will take a few review breaks throughout this chapter, so if you need to take more than a day on a particular verse, that's ok - we'll give you time to catch up!
This verse is a great reminder that our spiritual gifts need to be exercised in love for the church.
On The Daily Bible Verse, Dave Whitehead says (emphasis mine).... The implications of this passage are shocking: people can have gifts, but not the fruit of the Spirit. There is a big difference between fruit and gifts. Spiritual gifts are given by God for the common good of others, but spiritual fruit can only come from being with Jesus. In other words, just because someone is moving in spiritual power, doesn’t mean that person is close to God. The Apostle Paul is not trying to minimize spiritual gifts, but to remind us to not confuse the power that God gives with the love, joy and peace that can only come from a relationship with Him.
Clarke's commentary adds....
Balaam, and several others not under the influence of this love of God, prophesied; and we daily see many men, who are profound scholars, and well skilled in arts and sciences, and yet not only careless about religion but downright infidels!
It's a bit reminiscent of Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Important note: faith in this verse refers to the gift of doing miracles, it cannot mean the faith that justifies because that could never be nothing and could not possibly exist without love.
Notice, too, how personal these verses are? I. If I have not love, I am nothing. Everyone is personally accountable for loving God and man.
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