1 Corinthians 13:1-13 (The Love Chapter) - Universal Perspective

First Corinthians 13 defines agape love as the supreme Christian virtue, greater than spiritual gifts, knowledge, or sacrifice. Paul's "hymn to love" provides the character profile of Christ-like love: patient, kind, not envious, not self-seeking.

INTERPRETIVE NOTES: The chapter sits between discussions of spiritual gifts (12, 14), showing love as the "more excellent way" (12:31). Love "never fails" (v.8) contrasts with gifts that cease. The triad "faith, hope, love" with love as greatest echoes throughout Paul.

PREACHING ANGLES: Without love, impressive gifts are nothing, Love is defined by actions, not feelings, We see dimly now but will know fully

SHOW DON'T TELL:\n Before: Love is patient and kind

After: Watch her bite her tongue for the hundredth time today—the toddler wailing, the husband's thoughtless comment, the bill collector calling—and still, still she speaks gently, still she builds up instead of tearing down

IMAGERY ELEMENTS: mirror dimly seen, child becoming adult, three remain: faith hope love

CAUTIONS: Don't sentimentalize into romantic love, Avoid using at weddings without explaining its context