The thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians has been called "St. Paul's Hymn to Love," and has also been referred to as "a lyrical interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount—the Beatitudes set to music." This marvelous chapter is generally regarded by students of the Bible as one of the most illuminating and helpful passages in the Scriptures. It sprang from the great apostle's rich experience in preaching and practicing the truth as it was taught and demonstrated by Christ Jesus.
It is well known that the word translated "charity" in the Authorized Version of the Bible is rendered "love" by practically all modern translators, and thereby the word is lifted above the level of almsgiving or mere human kindness to the reflection of divine Love. Thus it is easily seen why the love that reflects Love should be regarded as indispensable to the Christian in his warfare with evil. Paul shows love to be paramount in his comparison of it with knowledge and faith, when he says, "And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity [love], I am nothing" (I Cor. 13:2). And Mary Baker Eddy says, in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 113): "The vital part, the heart and soul of Christian Science, is Love. Without this, the letter is but the dead body of Science, —pulseless, cold, inanimate."
Knowledge of the letter of Christian Science is valueless without that quality of love which expresses the infinitely merciful, tender nature of God, divine Love. It is only through recognition and demonstration of this fact that genuine healing and regeneration are accomplished. When the love that reflects Love is consciously present, nothing can withstand its healing and redemptive power. Hatred, fear, envy, resentment, sin, pain, disease, death cannot remain in the presence of Love understood. Mrs. Eddy says (ibid., p. 365), "If the Scientist reaches his patient through divine Love, the healing work will be accomplished at one visit, and the disease will vanish into its native nothingness like dew before the morning sunshine."
