Chapter XIII.
(Vers. 1.)
(Verse 1) If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am like a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. It seems great to speak in various tongues, but it is nothing if one cannot understand the spiritual meaning behind it. This does not bring merit but rather shows the glory of God. It is like a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. For just as a piece of metal resounds with the impact of another and a cymbal rings, so also the one who speaks in tongues receives the effect and movement of the Holy Spirit, so that he may be able to speak, just as the Savior says in another place: It is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks through you (Matthew 10:20). For even a donkey spoke with a human tongue to Balaam son of Beor, in order to proclaim the majesty of God (Numbers 22:28); and young infants burst forth in praise of God to the confusion of the Jews (Matthew 21:16). But the Savior not only showed that these [people], but also stones, could cry out for the condemnation of the unfaithful and the glory of God (Luke 19:40). And even in the early stages to commend the faith, those who were baptized spoke in tongues (Acts 10:46).
(Vers. 2.)
(Verse 2.) And if I have prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have not charity, I am nothing. Truly, I am nothing; for prophecy is for the glory of God, as the prophet David says: Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory (Psalm 113:1). For even Balaam prophesied, though he was not a prophet but a diviner (Numbers 23:8 et seq.); and Caiaphas prophesied, not by his own merit but by the dignity of his priestly order (John 11:51); and Saul prophesied, even though he had been filled with an evil spirit due to his disobedience; but he did so for the sake of God, so that he could not harm David, whom he wanted to kill.
And if I should know all mysteries; indeed, it profited the Jews nothing to be with the apostles and to learn the mysteries; for the enemy of charity delivered up the Savior (Ezek. XXVIII, 13 et seq.) And the prophet Ezekiel shows that the devil knew heavenly mysteries, when he testifies with a reproachful voice in paradise that he was an angel of God, and that he had precious stones, which the same Apostle signifies as the mysteries of divine doctrine (I Cor. III, 12): and it profited him nothing; because, being forgetful of charity, he leaped into pride.
And if I have all knowledge. Knowledge is of no use to me if I do not have charity. Indeed, you write and the Pharisees gained nothing, as the Savior said: You have the key of knowledge, and you do not enter, nor do you allow others to enter (Luke 11:52); for by envy they corrupted charity, and reduced their knowledge to nothing. For even Tertullian and Novatian were of great knowledge: but because they lost the bonds through zeal for charity, they turned to schism and created heresies for their own destruction.
And if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. To perform miracles or cast out demons through faith is the power and glory of God; and this does not profit unless one is a diligent follower of good conduct, as mentioned above.
(Vers. 3.)
(Verse 3) And if I shall have bestowed all my substance. It is evident that even if all substance is expended, it profits nothing without charity; for charity is the foundation of religion, and he who does not have the foundation does not have life. And if I shall have delivered up my body to be burned, it profits me nothing. Without charity, nothing profits; for charity is the foundation of religion. Therefore, whatever is done without charity is temporary.
(Vers. 4-8.)
(Vers. 4-8.) Charity is great-hearted, it is pleasant. Charity does not envy, does not boast, does not act improperly, is not ambitious, does not seek what is its own, is not easily provoked, does not think evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth: it endures all things, believes all things, hopes all things, withstands all things. Charity never fails. Such great praise of charity has been taught, that it seemed deservedly to be preferred before others, and in vain do those who give their efforts to other mandates labor, not obeying this one. Hence says the Apostle John: God is love (1 John 4:8); so whoever does not have love, knows that they do not have God. Therefore, in another epistle, the Apostle Paul says the same thing: But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us (Ephesians 2:4). Therefore, whoever does not have love is ungrateful for the mercy of God; because they do not love, through which they are saved. So that they may learn that they were seriously sinning, who prioritized the satisfaction of their own appetite over brotherly love. For this is what is beneficial in the present and abides forever with God.
(Vers. 9, 10.)
(Verses 9, 10) Whether prophecies cease, or tongues cease, or knowledge is abolished. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part: but when that which is perfect comes, that which is in part will be abolished. All the gifts of charisms will be abolished, because they cannot comprehend as much as the truth itself has. Neither can we grasp nor articulate the fullness of truth. For how can the human tongue encompass everything that belongs to God? Therefore, our imperfection will be destroyed, not that which is true will be abolished: but while what is lacking is added to the imperfect, it will be destroyed. For the destruction of imperfection is when what is imperfect is fulfilled in the true.
(Vers. 11.)
(Verse 11.) When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; but when I became a man, I put an end to childish ways. This is said because the saints, when they depart from this world, will need to come into it again in a greater way than they now think, just as the Apostle John said about the Savior: Then we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:2). Therefore, in this life, we are like children in comparison to the future life; because just as this life is imperfect, so too is our knowledge.
(Vers. 12.)
(Verse 12.) Now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. That is, I will see the things that have been promised, as I am seen; that is, to be present with the Lord, where Christ is.
(Vers. 13.)
(Verse 13.) Now remain faith, hope, charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity. Charity is rightly the greatest, because while faith is preached and hope for future life exists, charity is present, as I mentioned before. As John the Apostle says: By this we know his charity, because he laid down his life for us (1 John 3:16). It is justly the greatest charity, by which the human race is reformed.