Love Never Ends

And why are you surprised that the duties listed above will cease, when the holy apostle tells us that even the higher gifts of the Holy Spirit will pass away, and points out that love alone will abide without end? He says: “Whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will come to an end.” But of love he says: “Love never fails.” For all gifts are given for a time, as use and need require, and when the arrangement they serve has ended, they will without doubt pass away at once. But love will never be destroyed. Not only does it work usefully in us in this world; in the world to come too, when the burden of bodily needs is thrown off, it will continue in far greater vigor and excellence. It will never be weakened by any defect, but through its everlasting incorruption it will cling to God more intently and earnestly. [a]