What Does 1 Corinthians 13:1 Mean?

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

1 Corinthians 13:1(NASB)

Verse of the Day

In many church assemblies today, there is much emphasis on the gifts of the Holy Spirit and though the gifts of the Spirit are wonderful and exciting, if they are not administered in love, they are of little worth and can even become abused and destructive.

Spiritual gifts from the Spirit are bestowed on every child of God, but they are a privilege that must be used wisely, for when abused by the carnal believer, that can cause confusion in the Body of Christ and deliver a distorted gospel.

The gifts of the Spirit are to be managed under God's authority. Gifts must flow from the fruit of the Spirit, which is rooted in LOVE and which overspills into joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control.

Like all Scripture, 1 Corinthians 13 must be read in its correct context, which stems from Paul's deep concern and lengthy instructions to the carnal Christians in Corinth, for unless all the gifts of the Spirit are administered in love, they degenerate into a noisy gong or a clanging symbol.

Let us walk in the spirit, live in the spirit, pray in the spirit, and let us administer the gifts we have been given in spirit, in truth and in love.

Let us seek to honour God in the way that we practise whatever gift or gifts the Spirit has graciously bestowed upon us - and let us do it in LOVE.

My Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You that you give each of Your children one or more gifts of the Spirit, to be used in love and to Your glory. Help me to use the gifts that you have bestowed on me, in a way that does not dishonour or displease You. May my spiritual gifts be rooted and grounded in Christ’s love. In His name I pray, AMEN.

Choose a Verse from 1 Corinthians 13