1 Corinthians 13:2, I am Nothing

1 Corinthians 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

William MacDonald said well, “Likewise one might receive marvellous revelations from God. He might understand the great mysteries of God, tremendous truths hitherto unrevealed but now made known to him. He might receive a great inflow of divine knowledge, supernaturally imparted. He might be given that heroic faith which is able to remove mountains. Yet if these wonderful gifts are used only for his own benefit and not for the edifying of other members of the Body of Christ, they are of no value, and the holder is nothing, that is, he is of no help to others.”

The Apostle Paul is citing the worth of the Christian walk. The Christian faith is an expression of God’s love. He concluded that he is not valuable as an instrument for God’s glory if he does not exercise charity. This word “charity” in our text describes the outworking of God’s love in the life of a believer. This love is both unconditional and sacrificial as exemplified by Jesus’ life as the Bible tells us in 1 Timothy 2:5-6 “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all…”

This word “charity” has a definite article attached to it in the Greek text. The definite article attached to this love describes the specific characteristic or identity of such a love. Greek Grammar tells us that this definite article serves to point out, to draw attention to, to identify, to make definite, to define and to limit the character of this “agape” type of love which the Apostle Paul endeavours to impart to us. Amen.