1 Corinthians 13:2

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing.

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Ambrosiaster

AD 400

Balaam prophesied even though he was not a prophet, and Caiaphas also prophesied. So did Saul when, because of his disobedience, he was filled with an evil spirit. Judas accompanied the other disciples and understood all the mysteries and knowledge given to them, but as an enemy of love he betrayed the Savior. Both Tertullian and Novatian were men of no small learning, but because of their pride they lost the fellowship of love and falling into schism devised heresies, to their own damnation. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.

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Clement Of Alexandria

AD 215

Such were the apostles, in whose case it is said that "faith removed mountains and transplanted trees.". This Gnostic, to speak compendiously, makes up for the absence of the apostles, by the rectitude of his life, the accuracy of his knowledge, by benefiting his relations, by "removing the mountains "of his neighbours, and putting away the irregularities of their soul. Although each of us is his

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Cornelius a Lapide

AD 1637

Though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. Erasmus thinks that this is a hyperbolic fiction, as though he should say, "Charity by far excels faith," just as we say, "Virtue alone is the only nobility." But this is far too cold; for in the following verse, speaking of almsgiving and martyrdom if charity is wanting, he says, it profiteth me nothing. Therefore, I am nothing imports I am of no value, and have no grace in the presence of God; and in truth, because the righteous man is of some account before God, the rest of men, being unrighteous, are, in the eyes and estimation of God, as nothing. In other words, without charity nothing profiteth, nothing makes friendship with God; there is nothing which wins for a man righteousness and salvation, not even faith, though it be most great and most excellent, so that it can remove mountains, such as Gregory Thaumaturgus had, who, by his faith, moved a mount from its place, that he might make... Read More

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Cyprian of Carthage

AD 258

Charity is magnanimous; charity is kind; charity envieth not; charity acteth not vainly, is not puffed up, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; loveth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things Charity never falleth.". It loveth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, beareth all things. Charity shall never fail."

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Gennadius of Constantinople

AD 471

By faith, Paul does not mean the common and universal faith of believers but the spiritual gift of faith. The two things have the same name, because when the Holy Spirit comes upon us it is our human faith which expands to make room for the divine gift. .

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George Leo Haydock

AD 1849

These prove that faith without good works, and especially charity for God and our neighbour, cannot avail to eternal life; faith and charity are both essentially necessary. Hence St. Augustine declares, that where there is not true faith, there cannot be justice; because the just man liveth by faith: and where charity is not, there can be no justice, which if they had, they would never tear in pieces the body of Christ, which is the Church. (De fid. ad Pet. chap. xxxix.)

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Ignatius of Antioch

AD 108

"Though he gives all his goods to feed the poor, though he remove mountains, though he give his body to be burned"

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Irenaeus of Lyons

AD 202

And that apart from the love of God, neither knowledge avails anything,

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John Chrysostom

AD 407

By naming prophecy and faith, Paul included every spiritual gift, since miracles are either in word or in deed.

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John Chrysostom

AD 407

And this gift again with an excellency. For as in that case he mentioned not tongues, but the tongues of all mankind, and as he proceeded, those of angels, and then signified that the gift was nothing without love: so also here he mentions not prophecy alone but the very highest prophecy: in having said, If I have prophecy, he added, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; expressing this gift also with intensity. Then after this also he proceeds to the other gifts. And again, that he might not seem to weary them, naming each one of the gifts, he sets down the mother and fountain of all, and this again with an excellency, thus saying, And if I have all faith. Neither was he content with this, but even that which Christ spoke of as greatest, this also he added, saying, so as to remove mountains and have not love, I am nothing. And consider how again here also he lowers the dignity of the tongues. For whereas in regard of prophecy he signifies the great advantage arising from it, th... Read More

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Methodius of Olympus

AD 311

For "though I sell all my goods and give to the poor, and though I yield up my body to the fire, and though I have so great faith that I can remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing."

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