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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Context
Paul continues showing the supremacy of love over spiritual gifts, escalating from speech to the most prized abilities of prophecy, knowledge, and powerful faith.
What Does 1 Corinthians 13:2 Mean?
Paul intensifies his argument. He piles up the most admired spiritual abilities -- prophecy, comprehension of all mysteries and knowledge, and faith powerful enough to move mountains -- and then delivers the verdict: without love, "I am nothing." Not merely that such gifts are diminished, but that the person possessing them, apart from love, amounts to nothing.
Each item Paul names was highly valued in Corinth. Prophecy carried great prestige; deep knowledge of God's mysteries seemed the summit of spirituality; mountain-moving faith echoed Jesus' own striking words about belief. Yet Paul subordinates them all to love. The conclusion is jarring because it measures worth not by capability but by character. A person could be a spiritual prodigy and still be "nothing" if love is missing. This protects the church from a deadly error: mistaking impressive gifting for genuine godliness. Gifts can be exercised from pride, ambition, or self-display; love cannot. Paul's point is that the presence of remarkable gifts proves nothing about the state of the heart. The decisive question is whether love animates the life. Where love is absent, even the greatest endowments leave a person empty before God -- gifted, perhaps celebrated, yet ultimately nothing.
In the Original Language
The Greek "prophēteia" (prophecy) and "gnōsis" (knowledge) name prized gifts. "Outhen eimi" (I am nothing) is an absolute statement of worthlessness apart from love.
Cross References
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? ... And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you.”
- Matthew 7:22-23
“Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.”
- 1 Corinthians 8:1
“If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed ... nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
- Matthew 17:20
Application
Measure spiritual maturity by love, not by impressive gifts; without love, even the greatest abilities leave you empty before God.