Love excels faith
Very excellent things are spoken of faith, and whoever partakes of it may well say with the apostle, Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15). Yet still it loses all its excellence when brought into comparison with love. What Saint Paul observes concerning the superior glory of the gospel above that of the law may with great propriety be spoken of the superior glory of love above that of faith: even that which was made glorious has no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excels (2 Corinthians 3:10). For if that which is done away is glorious, much more does that which remains exceed in glory (2 Corinthians 3:11). Yes, all the glory of faith before it is done away arises from this: that it ministers to love. It is the great temporary means which God has ordained to promote that eternal end.
1771 text
2. Very excellent things are spoken of faith, and whosoever is a partaker thereof, may well say with the apostle, Thanks be to God, for his unspeakable gift. Yet still it loses all its excellence, when brought into a comparison with love. What St. Paul observes concerning the superior glory of the gospel, above that of the law, may with great propriety be spoken of the superior glory of love, above that of faith. Even that which was made glorious, hath no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. For if that which is done away is glorious, much more doth that which remaineth exceed in glory. Yea, all the glory of faith before it is done away, arises hence, That it ministers to love. It is the great temporary means which God has ordained to promote that eternal end.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 36 in the 1771 Works. Romans 3:31.
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