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 GIFT AND CONTEXT - We often assume that Paul describes love as the greatest of
all the gifts, and therefore the "greater gift" that we should pursue. But this
is not quite precise. Not only does Paul not call love a gift, either here or elsewhere,
but this clause stands in contrast to the immediately preceding imperative, not as its
proper complement. What Paul is about to embark on is a description of what he calls
"a way that is beyond comparison." The way they are going is basically
destructive to the church as a community; the way they are being called to is one that
seeks the good of others before oneself. It is the way of edifying the church (14:1-5), of
seeking the common good (12:7). In that context one will still earnestly desire the things
of the Spirit (14:1), but precisely so that others will be edified. Thus it is not
love-as-the-best-gift, but "love as the only context for gifts;" for without the
former, the latter have no usefulness at all-but then neither does much of anything else
in the Christian life. [1]
BEHIND THE SCENES - Notice the larger context of the "love" chapter: the
pneumatikoi. Such spiritual persons held opposing views of spirituality from Paul.
"They speak in tongues, to be sure," says Paul who does not question as a
legitimate activity of the Spirit. But at the same time they tolerate, or endorse, illicit
sexuality, greed, and idolatry (5:9-10).
AMBROSIASTER [fl 366-384] -Love is the very head of religion, and someone who has
no head is dead. [2]
 What was one of your favorite love
songs when you were a teenager? (C’mon, Beetles fans!) When in your life have you
felt most loved?
How could you rewrite verses 4-8a in the context of a congregation? (A loving
congregation is patient when . . . it is kind in the face of . . . )
In your opinion, what is the best way to develop the ability to love others?
 Please refer to the DPS homily archive
for homilies based on this passage.
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