The word if
is used five times in 1 Corinthians 13:1–3, each time introducing a hypothetic condition. The repetition of the words and if,
all,
and nothing
(1 Corinthians 13:2–3) serves to emphasize the worthlessness of having gifts without love.
The phrase and understand all mysteries and all knowledge
still refers to the gift of prophecy. In Paul’s writings the word mysteries
refers to gospel truths that had been hidden before, but have now been revealed to God’s apostles and prophets (Romans 16:25; 1 Corinthians 15:51; Ephesians 3:3–9; see also 1 Corinthians 2:7; 1 Corinthians 4:1).
To understand all mysteries and all knowledge is to have the greatest prophetic gift imaginable. This makes Paul’s declaration that he would be nothing
without love all the more striking, given his high regard for prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1).
Another gift, that of faith, is also presented in an exaggerated way. The idea of a faith that can remove mountains is taken from one of Jesus’ own teachings (Matthew 17:20). In this teaching Jesus himself was drawing on a Jewish proverbial expression, in which removing mountains stands for doing the impossible.
Yet even if it were possible to have all
faith, it would be of no use without love. Paul ends with a brief and striking conclusion, I am nothing.
2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.