1 Corinthians 12:31 ; 1 Corinthians 13:1
St. Paul has been treating of spiritual gifts as they then existed in the Church of tongues, of prophecy, and the like. They were things to be courted and attained if it might be so. Still, there was one thing better; one way of living and proceeding, which was far in excess of all these; a way of living and preaching which could do without gifts, but they could not do without it. And by enlarging on the latter negative fact he opens his description. He will show them this more excellent way, by asserting first how worthless every gift, every attainment, is without it, and in its absence.
I. 1 Corinthians 13:1 supposes the existence of the very highest supernatural gifts without largeness of love in the spirit and character. I take this verse to represent for us the endowment, as we understand it, with pre-eminent external gifts gifts of accomplishment and acquirement to be shown and exercised before men. For of that kind was the gift of tongues. Let me not be understood as for a moment casting a slur on any of the elements of a liberal education, or as recognising the false and narrow view, which would measure that which is really useful to a man by so much only as is worn and torn in the great outward struggle of life. But if it be true that all these without Christian love are nothing, and that Christian love does not come by nature, but must be sought by culture, and by seeking God's blessing on diligent practice of it; then we have a right to expect that accomplishments and acquirements shall not be accounted the first thing, nor hold the first rank, but shall all be subordinated to the formation of this Christian character.
II. Is there not something very wrong in our land and our Church in this matter? We are not seeking after, we are not valuing, we are not encouraging, we are not even tolerating, the practice of large-hearted, universal, all-enduring Christian love. Hard thoughts are our common thoughts; bitter words our current words. Let us dare, knowing what we do, in a bitter and gainsaying generation, to maintain that love is first and midst and last in the Christian's practice.
H. Alford, Quebec Chapel Sermons,vol. vii., p. 104.
References: 1 Corinthians 13:1. E. Blencowe, Plain Sermons to a Country Congregation,p. 191; J. Thain Davidson, Talks with Young Men,p. 61; E. H. Bradby, Church of England Pulpit,vol. xi., p. 134. 1 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Corinthians 13:2. W. T. Bull, Christian World Pulpit,vol. iii., p. 406; T. Kelly, Pulpit Trees,p. 267. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. W. M. Statham, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xvi., p. 20; Homiletic Quarterly,vol. iv., p. 58. 1 Corinthians 13:1-8. J. Halsey, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxxv., p. 168. 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. Preacher's Monthly,vol. ii., p. 235. 1 Corinthians 13:2. Homilist,2nd series, vol. i., p. 433; T. Gasquoine, Christian World Pulpit,vol. iii., p. 296; J. G. Rogers, Ibid.,vol. xxvi., p. 376.