Now abideth] Probably meaning not 'these three exist now, but finally love alone will remain'; but, 'the fact is that these three alone are eternal.' Faith (confidence in God) will continue in the next life: so will hope (expectation of future good); for that life will be one of progress not stagnation. The greatest of these is charity] RV 'love.' For love is the mainspring of faith and hope; and 'God is love.'