Paul the Apostle

Paul the Apostle (c. 5—c. 64/65 AD), as outlined in the Acts of the Apostles, was a persecutor of the early Christian church, until Jesus spoke to him on the road to Damascus. He became the apostle to the Gentiles — journeying throughout the Roman world. He is the author of a large portion of the New Testament — written in the form of letters to individuals and to young churches in such locations as Ephesus, Galatia, Corinth, and Rome.

Perhaps due to the nature of his letters, which focus on teaching, admonishing and encouraging, he is not thought of as a poetic writer. However, Paul often used poetic descriptions to help his readers to better understand. For example, in Ephesians 6 he writes of the armour of God, comparing salvation, righteousness and faith to the armour used by Roman soldiers. Likewise, in 1 Corinthians 12 he compares people in the church to parts of the body — having the foot saying it is not as worthy as the hand to be part of the body.

The following is one of the most celebrated poetic passages in the New Testament. Often called the love chapter, it is often read at weddings, and woven into song lyrics. Joni Mitchell performs her own close paraphrase of the passage, from her 1982 album Wild Things Run Fast.

Here is the passage from the New International Version.

1 Corinthians 13

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Entry written by D.S. Martin. He is the author of five poetry collections including Angelicus (2021, Poiema/Cascade), and three anthologies — available through Wipf & Stock. His new book The Role of the Moon, inspired by the Metaphysical Poets, is forthcoming from Paraclete Press.