A contemporary paraphrase of 1Cor 12:30b through chapter 13

There are all kinds of supernatural gifts that build up the believers, but let me show you the high road, the supreme way, the ultimate.

If I could speak twenty different languages, was a Greek and Hebrew scholar, and even speak the language of angels, but didn’t have love, it would all be just a bunch of loud noise.

If I had insights into Scripture that no one had ever seen, and was the world’s greatest Christian apologist, and even possessed faith that produced incredible results, if I didn’t have love, I’d be a big zero.

If I was so generous that I gave everything I had to the poor, and ran into a burning building to rescue someone and was burned alive in the process, if I didn’t do it out of love, I haven’t gained anything!

Look at Jesus’ patience (he put up with Judas for 3 years) and his kindness (would you have been so gentle with Peter or the demoniac). He never envied anyone, never boasted about His accomplishments. He was never rude. His behavior was always exemplary, never irritable or resentful. Even when some wrong could benefit him personally, He chose the way of truth.

He put up with whatever came at Him. He believed God no matter how things looked. He never gave up hope and endured the worst to the very end. That’s because real love is forever.

All the supernatural gifts of the Spirit are incomplete and will one day be unnecessary. When the fullness comes, the incomplete is no longer  needed. It’s like a person growing up. When they reach maturity they no longer talk, or think, or reason like they did when they were a little child.

Presently we are just getting a glimpse of the Love of God. One day we will look straight into His eyes! Now it’s like getting acquainted with a someone through emails. Then we will live intimately with Him in His presence.

There are three things that endure, faith, hope, and love, but love is the ultimate.

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