What is the context?
Paul begins another subject raised by the Corinthians: food sacrificed to idols. Before answering the food question, he challenges the way knowledge is being used. Knowing something can become a reason for pride, while love works to build other people up.
The correction is not a rejection of learning. Paul will explain what believers know about God and idols. His concern is confidence that becomes self-important and careless about other people. The person who thinks he has mastered the matter still needs humility about what he knows and how he acts on it.
The closing sentence shifts attention from how much a person knows to being known by God as someone who loves Him. A relationship with God is not an intellectual contest in which having the best answer gives someone permission to disregard another believer.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Christians commonly read this as a warning against knowledge separated from love. Calvin’s comment on verse 1 and Wesley’s note both preserve the distinction between learning that serves others and knowledge used to feed pride.
Where does this fit in God's plan?
In John 13:34–35, Jesus makes love shaped by His own love the distinguishing mark of His disciples. Their life together should help others recognize whom they follow.
1 Corinthians 13:1–7 develops the point further: even impressive knowledge, gifts and sacrifice are empty without love. God’s work among His people is directed toward a life that reflects Christ, rather than merely a community able to display correct information.
What is our position?
We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.