Commentary of Charles Spurgeon, Adam Clarke & Matthew Henry
but the greatest of these is charity.
Vs.13
And now [in this present life] abideth faith, hope, charity - These
three supply the place of that direct vision which no human embodied
spirit can have; these abide or remain for the present state.
Faith, by
which we apprehend spiritual blessings, and walk with God.
Hope, by
which we view and expect eternal blessedness, and pass through things
temporal so as not to lose those which are eternal.
Charity or love, by
which we show forth the virtues of the grace which we receive by faith
in living a life of obedience to God, and of good will and usefulness to
man.
But the greatest of these is charity - Love is the fulfilling of the law;
Those
border most upon the heavenly state and perfection whose hearts are fullest of
this divine principle, and burn with the most fervent charity.
It is the surest
offspring of God, and bears his fairest impression. For God is love, 1 Jn. 4:8,
16.