"If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:2).
Federal Visionists love this verse because it sounds as if Paul is saying that faith alone is not enough. However, this kind of exegesis is historically naïve.
The Reformed faith has always insisted that justification is by faith alone (sola fide). Love is not part of faith, and thus, love is not a requirement for salvation. Love is a work and cannot be included in salvation in any way without compromising the gospel of sola fide. So, Paul does not really mean that faith without love is “nothing.” He is just exaggerating to make a point about how we should obey from gratitude.
