Why Love Is Greater Than Every Spiritual Gift

 

1 Corinthians 13:4 –
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up.” 

 

Context & Connection

 

Paul writes 1 Corinthians 13 to a divided, immature church struggling with pride, competition, and spiritual arrogance. Instead of praising their gifts, he redirects their attention to something far more powerful: love shaped by Christ Himself.

 

This is not sentimental love.
Not emotional love.
Not “when it’s easy” love.

 

This is agapē—self-giving, Christ-reflecting love that chooses the good of another even when it costs something.

 

Paul begins the chapter by saying that without this kind of love, even the most impressive Christian service amounts to nothing. In verse 4, he starts describing what agapē does and does not look like in everyday life.

 

It is a picture of Christ.
And it is the calling of every believer.

 

Phrase by Phrase Breakdown

 

“Love suffers long” –

 

 Biblical love is patient. It refuses to retaliate, rush, or give up on people. God’s own patience with us becomes the pattern (2 Peter 3:9). Love stays steady when the flesh wants to snap.

 

“and is kind” –

 

Kindness is love in action. Not merely avoiding harm, but actively seeking another’s good. Christ showed kindness to the ungrateful, the weak, and the undeserving—and so must we (Ephesians 4:32).

 

“love does not envy” –

Envy is resentment toward someone else’s blessing. Love rejoices when others succeed. It doesn’t compete, compare, or resent God’s goodness in someone else’s life.

 

“love does not parade itself, is not puffed up” –

Love doesn’t need attention or applause. It is not boastful, proud, or self-promoting. Christ—though He is Lord—took the form of a servant (Philippians 2:5–8). Love chooses humility over visibility.

 

Devotional Insight

 

We live in a world where love is often reduced to feelings and convenience. But Paul reminds us that true love is costly, steady, patient and selfless. It endures wrongs, shows kindness when none is returned, celebrates others, and walks humbly.

 

Every phrase in this verse stands opposed to our flesh, and the world around us—but perfectly aligned with the character of Jesus.

 

This is why the Christian life is not lived by self-effort alone. This kind of love is the fruit of the Spirit, not the fruit of human willpower (Galatians 5:22). As we walk with Christ, He forms this love in us—day by day, trial by trial, moment by moment.

 

The world may resist your doctrine, dismiss your convictions, or misunderstand your faith…
but it cannot deny Christlike love.

 

Encouragement for Today

 

Ask the Lord to help you love today with His love:
Patient when tension rises.
Kind when others are not.
Joyful when someone else is blessed.
Humble when you’re tempted to demand recognition.

Christ in you makes this possible.
And His love working through you may be the loudest testimony of all.

 

📖 Reading Plan

 

Galatians 5:22–23 – The fruit of the Spirit includes love.
Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind to one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Philippians 2:3–5 – Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.