Why Paul puts so high the charity? Why even faithfulness till death in itself, turns out little for the Kingdom without charity? Of course, we could say many things on what is faith, including the religious faith without charity. Moreover, there is probably no sense today to speak much about it: the examples of religious fanaticism...
Why Paul puts so high the charity? Why even faithfulness till death in itself, turns out little for the Kingdom without charity? Of course, we could say many things on what is faith, including the religious faith without charity. Moreover, there is probably no sense today to speak much about it: the examples of religious fanaticism (and this is what it is, in fact, the fullness of faith without a lesser grain of charity) are in front of the eyes of all. It is obvious that such a faith only destroys man, not talking of the fact that it is rather often dangerous for the close relations. But the problem is probably not only in it. The apostle indeed, does not probably want to speak here about only this human charity, which was known in all times, but also about the love of the Kingdom, witnessed by Jesus Himself, in particular at the Last Supper. And it obliges a little to look otherwise on the words.
Indeed, this charity, about which speaks, including, and also the Bible, is itself, above all, a relationship, an intention, directed on the neighbor and carrying in itself the desire to do good to this neighbor. Of course, such an intention can be accompanied by reflections, and feelings, but one and another are only the complement to the main part. Jesus speaks of something big, He speaks about the Kingdom, where charity is this spiritual environment, inside which we build all the relationships binding the inhabitants of the Kingdom.
We could call the charity in a certain sense the spiritual substance of the Kingdom, and the one who is not involved in this charity, in fact will not be also involved in the Kingdom. And then everything is meaningless: because, the sense of the Christian life consists only of it, to join the life of the Kingdom. The Christian needs nothing else, and everything is useless. And Paul himself, living the life of the Kingdom, understands that of course perfectly. And, as seen, does not get tired to remind these fundamental things for the Christian life to the coreligionists.
13 The necessity of love is shown, Co1 13:1-3.
The nature and properties, Co1 13:4-7.
The duration of it, Co1 13:8-13
13:3 And though I - Deliberately, piece by piece. Give all my goods to feed the poor, yea, though I deliver up my body to be burned - Rather than I would renounce my religion. And have not the love - Hereafter described. It profiteth me nothing - Without this, whatever I speak, whatever I have, whatever Iknow, whatever I do, whatever I suffer, is nothing.