From the Zebra Bag   Musings from a follower of Jesus, husband , father and pastor

The Way of Love: The Foundation of the Spirit’s Gifts

Throughout this series, we have explored Paul’s teaching on spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14—why they are given, how they differ, and how they are meant to build up the church. But between those two chapters sits one of the most familiar passages in all of Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13, the chapter Paul calls “the most excellent way.”

This chapter is frequently read in isolation—at weddings, on Valentine’s cards, or as a general reflection on love. While beautiful, removing it from its context risks missing Paul’s point. Paul is not interrupting his teaching on spiritual gifts; he is grounding it. Love is not an optional extra or a softer alternative to the gifts—it is the foundation on which all gifts must rest.

The Corinthian church appears to have been caught up in comparison: who had the better gift, whose ministry mattered more. Paul does not discourage the desire for spiritual gifts—in fact, he encourages it—but he challenges the mindset behind that desire. A life focused on acquiring or displaying gifts without love is not God’s way. Spiritual gifts are meant to be expressed through a way of life shaped by love.

That foundation is rooted in God’s own character. From the opening chapters of Genesis, we see a relational God—walking with humanity, providing for them, delighting in them, and calling them “very good.” Unlike other ancient creation stories, the biblical narrative is driven by God’s desire to be with His people. From Eden to the New Heaven and New Earth, Scripture tells a story of God’s relentless, restoring love, reaching its climax in Christ: “For God so loved the world…”

Paul’s definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13 reflects this deep, agape love—not driven by emotion alone, but expressed through attitudes, character, and ways of living. Love is patient, kind, humble, and enduring. These are not momentary actions but lifelong postures. Paul’s challenge is searching: the exercise of spiritual gifts without love is not just ineffective—it becomes worthless noise.

The apostle makes clear that while the church is rich in diverse gifts, it is only healthy when those gifts are exercised together and with love. Without this shared foundation, the body is diminished and divided. Truth spoken without love harms rather than heals; giftedness without love draws attention to the self rather than to God.

Ultimately, Paul reminds us why the Holy Spirit gives gifts at all—not for status, success, or self-promotion, but so that God’s love might be poured out through His people. Love is uniquely both a gift and a fruit of the Spirit. It is the first mark of a Spirit-filled life and the defining measure of how all other gifts are to be used.

The gifts are wonderful and worth desiring—but the way of love is the way they were always meant to be lived.