It seems that love never ends fits with what we looked at yesterday, but it begins a new section as Paul returns to the gifts. Paul is reminding us of the unfailing nature of love, that love will continue throughout eternity. In fact, perfect love will be realized (finally!) when Jesus returns. He puts the gifts specifically the power gifts in their place. He’s saying these gifts will end when perfection comes. They were never meant to continue into eternity. The gifts are meant for building up the church in this present age. He uses the illustration of a mirror, which would have been easily understood by the Corinthians who were known for their production of bronze mirrors in antiquity. In this present age, we see dimly, this is not what it is meant to be. We have been saved, but we are still living in a sinful and broken world. The hope is that it won’t last forever. Jesus will return and when he does we will see clearly face-to-face with him. We know in part, Jesus has given us that ability, but we do not know fully. Here’s the beautiful part, we will know him fully just like he knows us fully. In the same way, we are fully known and fully loved by God, we will know him in that way!

Paul ends with the beautiful triad of faith, hope, and love abiding, but again he reminds us that love is the greatest. Love fills us when hope and faith when we walk in it.