the primitive believers, tended greatly to fix their attention on the truths that were delivered, and to confirm the faith of those who heard them. On the other hand, these gifts were attended with some dis- advantages ; inasmuch as they gave rise to an unholy emulation in the persons who possessed them, and an undue partiality in those for whose benefit they were exercised. On the whole, we need not envy them their distinctions, since their gifts, how exalted soever they might be, were nothing in comparison of that which we, as well as they, are privileged to possess. Love is of more value than them all. Gifts might edify others ; but love benefits ourselves : and, without love, all the gifts that men ever possessed were of no value. This is asserted by St. Paul in our text. But, as his assertions are of a very extra- ordinary kind, we shall endeavour to explain and vindicate them to your satisfaction.
I. To explain —
In order to place the passage in its true point of view, we shall explain,
1. The principle itself —
[This throughout the whole chapter is called " charity." The generality of commentators have expressed their regret that the word "love" had not been substituted in the place of *' charity," that being confessedly the true meaning of the term used in the original. But we do not conceive the translation to be open to the objection that is urged against it : for it is not possible for any one, who reads the chapter with attention, to imagine, that it relates exclusively to alms-giving: the most ignorant reader must see, that the principle, which is here called " charity," is far more extensive, and can by no means have so limited a sense, as these objectors would suppose them to affix to it. We, on the contrary, think that the translatoi's intentionally preferred the term " charity," in order to mark distinctly that the principle here spoken of is love to man in its utmost latitude ; but that it is love to niafi only, and not love to God. That it must be so limited, is evident from the whole preceding and following context. The Corin- thians possessed many miraculous powers, which, though given them only for the edification of the Church, were exerted by them principally for vain-glorious and selfish ends. Hence the Apostle tells them, that they defeated the very ends for