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The Apostle Paul Extols Love

Summary/Abstract: The article deals with two Pauline texts: 1 Cor 13 and Rom 8.31–39. The former well-known text is traditionally called the hymn to love (or hymn on love or hymn of love). But this appellation has been recently criticized with good reason. Instead, a number of different literary genres have been proposed for this chapter of 1 Corinthians. However, it seems that a consensus on this question can hardly be reached. The pericope Rom 8.31–39 has been called a ‘Hymn to the Love of God Made Manifest through Christ Jesus’ by J. A. Fitzmyer. Although the apostle Paul possibly sings the praises of love more strongly in this latter text, the classification as ‘hymn’ is not generally accepted, either. Other definitions of the literary genre as ‘diatribe’ or ‘plea for love’ are also not without difficulties. We can see that the problem of genre is common to both our texts. But more important is the common theme, i.e. love, and the message. Even though Paul speaks of love in each pericope in a different manner, we must see these texts as complementary. The apostle Paul exalts and extols the love that comes from God, i.e. as God’s gift, but it is also the love we are to have and to accomplish for God and for our neighbors.

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