Short answer: 1 Corinthians 13:13 declares that after spiritual gifts fade, three things remain — faith, hope, and love — and that love is the greatest of the three. Love is supreme because it never ends, it is what God is, and it will continue in full even in eternity when faith and hope have reached their goal.
The context: the end of the love chapter
This is the closing line of 1 Corinthians 13, the famous "love chapter." Paul has argued that spiritual gifts like prophecy, tongues, and knowledge are partial and temporary — they "will be done away" when "that which is complete has come" (13:8-10). By contrast, love "never fails" (13:8). Verse 13 sums up the whole argument: when the temporary gifts pass, faith, hope, and love endure, and love stands above them all.
What it means, phrase by phrase
The World English Bible reads: "But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love."
- "But now... remain" — In contrast to gifts that will cease, these three abide. Paul often groups faith, hope, and love as the marks of true Christian life (see Colossians 1:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 1:3).
- "Faith" — Trust in God and His promises.
- "Hope" — Confident expectation of what God has promised for the future.
- "Love" — Self-giving agapē, the theme of the whole chapter.
- "The greatest of these is love" — Paul ranks love highest. Faith and hope are directed toward things not yet fully seen; love is already the character of God and will continue when faith becomes sight and hope is fulfilled.
Many teachers note that in eternity, faith gives way to seeing and hope gives way to having — but love never ends. That is one reason love is called the greatest.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 13:8 — "Love never fails."
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3 — "work of faith, labor of love, patience of hope."
- Colossians 1:4-5 — faith, love, and hope named together.
- Galatians 5:6 — "faith working through love."
- 1 John 4:16 — "God is love."
How to apply it today
This verse sets our priorities straight. It is possible to chase impressive spiritual abilities while neglecting the one thing that lasts. Paul says: measure your life by faith, hope, and love — and especially by love. Faith and hope fuel love, but love is where they land. Practically, ask not only "Do I believe?" and "Am I hopeful?" but "Am I loving the people in front of me?" Because love reflects God's own nature, growing in love is growing to be like Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is love greater than faith and hope? Several reasons are commonly given: love reflects God's very nature ("God is love"), love is the aim that faith and hope serve, and love alone continues into eternity while faith becomes sight and hope is fulfilled. Paul does not diminish faith and hope — all three "remain" — but he crowns love as supreme.
Do faith and hope disappear in heaven? The passage implies faith and hope are especially fitted for this life, where we trust what we cannot yet see and await what is promised. In eternity we will see God face to face (13:12), so trust and expectation reach their goal. Faithful Christians hold different views on the details, but all agree love endures forever.
Does this verse mean spiritual gifts don't matter? No. Paul spends chapters 12 and 14 valuing gifts and urging their proper use. His point in chapter 13 is one of priority: gifts are good but temporary and worthless without love. Love is the lasting context in which every gift should operate.