We can say that Paul, by asserting the centrality of love in a Christian’s life, is consistent with the teachings of Jesus. Jesus famously said that the entire body of God’s law can be summed up by love─love for God and love for neighbors (Matthew 22:37-40)─and instructed his followers to be defined by love (John 13:34-35). So when Paul here and in other places (Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14) asserts the primacy of God’s love, he is echoing the teachings of Jesus. ​

One of Paul’s most iconic phrases is the oft-repeated text from 1 Corinthians 13: “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” This triad of virtues is used often by Paul (Colossians 1:3-5; 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 5:8; Romans 5:1-5; Galatians 5:5-6; 1 Peter 1:3-8). But here in the midst of the famous “love chapter,” Paul raises his volume and declares that love is the greatest. ​

What is Paul getting at? ​

We can say that Paul, by asserting the centrality of love in a Christian’s life, is consistent with the teachings of Jesus. Jesus famously said that the entire body of God’s law can be summed up by love─love for God and love for neighbors (Matthew 22:37-40)─and instructed his followers to be defined by love (John 13:34-35). So when Paul here and in other places (Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14) asserts the primacy of God’s love, he is echoing the teachings of Jesus. ​

But why are Jesus and Paul placing love as the highest of all virtues? Here are three reasons: ​

First, love is virtue behind the other virtues, and it is what gives life to our spiritual gifts. This is what Paul is getting at in 1 Corinthians 13. ​

I have to admit that this passage convicts me afresh every time I read it. I’ve been in Christian ministry all of my life. I love the church. I love the work of the church. But Paul reminds me that all of this important kingdom work—my gifts, my talents, my sacrifices—means nothing if they are not motivated by love: love for God that extends to love for people. ​

I don’t know if you’ve noticed this or not, but there are times when I come into contact with a Christian whose life is just an overflow of love. This doesn’t mean they are weak or spineless or don’t care about truth. Paul was none of those things; he was willing to call out heresy and sin without fear. But Paul was a Christian, and if you came into contact with him, he radiated love. I’ve met people like that. You know they are in the Word. You know they are on their knees in prayer, and their first instinct is to do all they do out of love for God and love for God’s people. ​

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