"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
— 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
1 Corinthians 13:13 is the verse people mean when they search the reference for "faith, hope and love" and "the greatest of these is love." This page is the passage and a plain reading. The familiar phrase page is The greatest of these is love. The vernacular trio page is Faith, hope and love Bible verse. The line-by-line study is 1 Corinthians 13:13 meaning. The whole chapter is 1 Corinthians 13.
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The verse
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV) reads: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
Paul has just said that prophecies, tongues, and knowledge will pass away, and that we now know only in part. Verse 13 names what stays: faith, hope, and love — and then ranks love first among those three.
What the verse is saying
"Remain" means these three endure when partial gifts fade. Faith trusts God. Hope looks forward. Love is the patient, kind life Paul described in verses 4–7, the love that never fails in verse 8. Calling love the greatest does not throw faith or hope away. It says love is the greatest of the three that remain.
This line closes the chapter. It is not a wedding slogan first; it is Paul's last word after ranking gifts and defining love for a divided church.
How people use 1 Corinthians 13:13
People look up the reference for wedding readings, sermons on the three virtues, and cards that quote "the greatest of these is love." Churches teach it next to verses 8–12. Ceremony lists often pair it with Wedding Bible readings.
Questions people ask
What does 1 Corinthians 13:13 say?
It says these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
What does the greatest of these is love mean?
It means that among faith, hope, and love — the three that remain — love is the greatest. Start with The greatest of these is love and 1 Corinthians 13:13 meaning.
Is this the same as love never fails?
Related, not identical. Verse 8 says love never fails while gifts pass. Verse 13 says faith, hope, and love remain, and love is the greatest of those three. See Love never fails Bible verse and 1 Corinthians 13:8.
Why is love greater than faith and hope?
Paul does not give a long argument in this verse. In the chapter, love is the way the body lives together when gifts are ranked wrongly. Faith and hope still matter; love is named the greatest of the three that remain. See Faith, hope and love Bible verse.
Where should I read next?
For the phrase, read The greatest of these is love. For the study, read 1 Corinthians 13:13 meaning. For the chapter, read 1 Corinthians 13.
