The Highest Virtues

A very well-known Bible verse is 1 Corinthians 13:13. Coming at the end of Scripture’s famous chapter on love, Paul concludes this beautiful section by writing, “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 

Chances are, even those who have never read the Bible or attended a church have heard this verse. It mentions three very important virtues that are desired by many people and essential to the Christian faith, and love’s supreme ranking among them. However, two verses that I came across in the book of 1 Thessalonians recently illuminated the importance of these virtues and their necessity in our lives as believers. 

First comes 1 Thessalonians 1:3. In his greeting to the church at Thessalonica, as is customary with other letters, Paul tells these Christians that he thanks God constantly for them, praying for them (v. 2), and “remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope.” Some of the believers in this church were being persecuted, so Paul commended their faithful work, loving deeds, and anticipation of Jesus’ return. Despite the opposition and uncertainty they had experienced, these three virtues Paul repeatedly mentions helped them persevere and live in light of who they are as Christians. 

But there is a similar verse in the final chapter of 1 Thessalonians. In chapter 5, Paul encourages the church to “keep awake and be sober” (v. 6) in light of Jesus’ second coming. In other words, Paul wants them to be prepared for Jesus’ return, live for Him, and obey God. 

This brings us to verse 8, where the Bible says, “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” Similar to the famous armor of God in Ephesians, Paul uses the analogy of a soldier’s armor to encourage these believers to use faith, love, and hope to fight the spiritual battles they were facing. Faith, love, and hope comprise the essential equipment to live the Christian life. They guard our body and our mind. 

So what does this mean for us? Are these just cool connections and cross-references that we can read passively and continue on with our life? 

No, I believe that this communicates the truth that faith, love, and hope are verbs. They are actions. Paul greets the church by applauding their work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope. He then calls them to stay awake and keep sober by putting on these metaphorical pieces of armor. 

Far too often, we view faith, hope, and love as faraway, ethereal traits that are far beyond our reach. But 1 Corinthians 13:13 should not be limited to a calligraphy sign sold at Hobby Lobby or a Bible verse that preachers feel obligated to recite at weddings without understanding its full meaning. Rather, these must be virtues that we pursue, work in, and put on as we grow in Christ. 

If we are to truly live for Jesus, may we continually grow in faith in Him, possess the hope that only He gives us, and love others with the love whereby He loved us first.