And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Ver. 13. The greatest of these] Because longest lasting. Gifts that suppose imperfection in us, as faith and hope, or misery in others, as pity, &c., shall be put away. Secondly, because it is diffusive of itself to the use of others; whereas faith and hope are private goods; they are confined to the person of the believer. That was a memorable saying of Elizabeth Folks, martyr, at the stake, "Farewell all the world, farewell faith, farewell hope;" and so taking the stake in her hand, she said, "Welcome love."