Love

If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. [1 Corinthians 13.1-3]

Does this passage contradict the following (also said by Paul)?

For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. [Galatians 5.6]

Or, how about something Jesus said... Is it contradictory?

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. [John 15.13 ]

Jesus said laying down one's life on behalf of another IS the greatest love.

How do we reconcile the two statements? Everyone is free to decide for themselves, but for me, I will attempt to understand what Paul said on the basis of what Jesus said! In other words, if there appears to be a conflict between something Jesus and Paul said, I will consider what Jesus said as the standard by which to interpret what Paul said!

So, according to what Jesus said, it is the greatest demonstration of love to lay down one's life for others. It hardly seems possible that a person would willingly die for another apart from love.

Father, I never want to overstep my bounds in understanding Your Word (I know I have in the past),.