The Active Ingredient In Unity (13:1-13)

Neal Pollard

In biology and especially pharmacology, the term “active ingredient” is used to describe the substance of the product. Inactive ingredients may help to deliver the drug, pesticide, drink, household product, but it is the active ingredient that makes the product effective. According to Paul, if the product is unity then love is the active ingredient. It makes unity happen. He tells the Ephesians to be found “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (4:2-3). In the midst of discussing spiritual gifts, he speaks of what makes such work to produce unity. In a word, it’s “love.”

LOVE’S DEFICIENCY (1-3)?

Paul pulls from the list of spiritual gifts to give examples of what happens when you exercise those gifts without love. It is surprising to see that they do the “exerciser” no good, if they do what they do in a loveless fashion. The Corinthians reveled in their ability to speak in tongues, to prophesy, and to help others through their miraculous means (see 12:28-30), but even such impressive gifts were empty and meaningless without love. Today, my talents and abilities, my time and money, all my resources, given and used to do so much good, does me no good if I do it without love. 

LOVE’S DEFINITION (4-8a)?

Maybe the Corinthians claimed to be exercising these gifts in love, but Paul defines this “more excellent way” (12:31). Love is not what we say or claim; love is measured by what we do. Love is an action, with at least 15 characteristics. Are you impatient? Unkind? Jealous? Arrogant? Unbecoming? Self-seeking? Etc. If you are characterized in these ways, you do not have love. Love demonstrates itself through specific behaviors. 

LOVE’S DURABILITY (8-13)

Ironically, these gifts that made them arrogant or jealous were temporary. They would be done away with (8), They would cease (8). They were partial (9). They were equated with “childish things” (11). They were dim (12). By implication, they would not abide (13). These miraculous spiritual gifts served their purpose of bringing us perfect knowledge. We have that in the revelation of God’s Word. It causes faith in and obedience to Christ. But outlasting those temporary gifts were faith, hope, and love. We still have those today though the exercise of miraculous spiritual gifts are past-tense. Yet, of those three qualities, love is superior to them. When faith becomes sight and hope is realized, we will still have love. Paul urges them (and us) to aspire to the things that last, that last longer even than what we bring to the table in God’s kingdom with our minds, our hands, and our other resources.