To a church where many were placing spiritual gifts as the most important of all things, Paul emphasises the priority of love with quite dramatic language (v1-3). In what you do, is there true love in your heart?

Paul give a great description of love (v4-7). An important thing to notice here is that love is not a feeling, love is constantly making the decisions to do what is best for other people. Power for this love comes from God (see 1 John 4 v7). This description of love is a description of Jesus.

Paul speaks of time when prophecies and tongues will end, when perfection comes and love endures (v8-13). There is a gentle rebuke here that those who prioritise spiritual gifts over love are actually being childish (v11). In the Christian life we should be growing and maturing, and one important way we know we are is that a sacrificial love for others is growing and developing.