How would you like it if you could understand every mystery in the world? The Greek word translated “mystery” in 1 Corinthians 13 refers to “a secret too profound for human ingenuity.” But what if you could understand these secrets? What if you could understand, for example, how God’s meticulous sovereignty and man’s freewill are compatible? Or what if you had the ability to understand completely all of the mysteries that stump scientists today? Without a doubt this would be an incredible gift! And yet, in 1 Corinthians 13:2 Paul makes a shocking assertion: “… if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” Nothing?!?! How could it be that someone able to foretell the future, understand all mysteries, and remove mountains, is nothing? If a person could do only one of these three things everyone in the world would exalt them as a “somebody” – people would flock to hear them speak! And yet Paul asserts that these abilities, while powerful, are not nearly as important as love. In fact, these abilities without love make you a nobody. Love is that important! 1 Corinthians 13 is appropriately quoted at wedding ceremonies and yet it is interesting to note its context. In chapter 12 Paul begins his teaching on spiritual gifts which he does not conclude until 14:40. This means the chapter on love is right in the middle of what God’s Word has to say about spiritual gifts. But what does love have to do with spiritual gifts? The Corinthians were valuing spiritual gifts to the exclusion of love. They did not realize how much more important love is. As valuable as spiritual gifts are it is more excellent (13:31) to pursue love. So don’t get caught up chasing things that will boost your image and enhance your reputation; instead, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:1, “Pursue love …” But how? In order to pursue love we must know what love looks like. And in this important chapter Paul does just that; among other things, he gives us a description of true love.