But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.1
Paul is writing we are to earnestly desire the best spiritual gifts. This word desire means figuratively to burn with zeal.2 To be deeply committed to something, with the implication of accompanying desire, this is how we should be concerning spiritual gifts. But there is a way that is surpassing excellence it is a way that we should be desiring with earnest. This most excellent way is love.
Paul lists gifts in order of importance; apostles, prophets, pastors and teachers, gift of miracles, gifts of healing, helps, administrations, and tongues. But he writes that if we do not love we do nothing of importance, even if we were to give all we have to the poor and our body to be burned it is no good, if we do not love. The importance of love as a Christian out weighs all gifts, love is to burn with zeal in us. Are we to burn with zeal for tongues of angels? for understanding and wisdom? for faith that removes mountains? for giving to the poor? Yes, but it is love that is to be desired the most, it sums up the law, it perfects us into following his instructions.
What is this love that is the most excellent way? God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.4 Undeserving, unmerited, unconditional. Jesus is this way of love, he is the image of the invisible God, he walked among us.5 He is love and those that know him love.6 And this is how love was manifested among us, he died for us.7 So that we might live through him in love.8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.9 As the Father loved the Son he loves us, we abide in him by abiding in his love.10 Through love, this abiding in his love, our foundation, our identity is grown deep in Him.11
Love has a form, God is love, because he loved he sent his son, and though he had the form of God he humbled himself and became a servant, even to the point of death on a cross, it was for the joy set before him, he loved us. Love is defined as being patient, long suffering, it is kind, full of service. Though it is to be earnestly desired, it is not jealous, nor is it boastful, proud, puffed up. Love doesn't act out of form or improperly, it is not self seeking but serving, it is not easily angered nor provoked, nor does it decide evil, nor does it rejoice in injustice but rejoices in truth, it is true to fact.12
Love is God's greatest commandments.13 It is different from the world's love, it requires us to love our enemies, and to pray for those who persecute us.14 It requires us to follow his instructions.15 I love him and obey him because he first loved me. There is no fear of punishment in perfect love.17 This we know when Love has been perfected among us; that on the day of judgement we have confidence that we loved as he loved.18 God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.19 Love requires love; And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.20 Through love we serve one another in humility.21
In this is love: it was not that we loved God, but he has loved us, and he sent us his Son, the atonement for the sake of our sins.23.It is through love that we can rejoice in our sufferings.24 He has given us this spirit of love.25 And there is no fear in perfect love.26 Love is from the spirit he gives us.27 Through love God makes a covenant with us.28 His love is everlasting.29 As love sums up the law, one can sum up love: Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.30
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.31
How Can It Be
Love has a form, God is love, because he loved he sent his son, and though he had the form of God he humbled himself and became a servant, even to the point of death on a cross, it was for the joy set before him, he loved us. Love is defined as being patient, long suffering, it is kind, full of service. Though it is to be earnestly desired, it is not jealous, nor is it boastful, proud, puffed up. Love doesn't act out of form or improperly, it is not self seeking but serving, it is not easily angered nor provoked, nor does it decide evil, nor does it rejoice in injustice but rejoices in truth, it is true to fact.12
Love is God's greatest commandments.13 It is different from the world's love, it requires us to love our enemies, and to pray for those who persecute us.14 It requires us to follow his instructions.15 I love him and obey him because he first loved me. There is no fear of punishment in perfect love.17 This we know when Love has been perfected among us; that on the day of judgement we have confidence that we loved as he loved.18 God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.19 Love requires love; And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.20 Through love we serve one another in humility.21
In this is love: it was not that we loved God, but he has loved us, and he sent us his Son, the atonement for the sake of our sins.23.It is through love that we can rejoice in our sufferings.24 He has given us this spirit of love.25 And there is no fear in perfect love.26 Love is from the spirit he gives us.27 Through love God makes a covenant with us.28 His love is everlasting.29 As love sums up the law, one can sum up love: Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.30
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.31