Faith, hope, and love are more important than spiritual gifts because they last forever (see also Romans 5:1–5; Galatians 5:5–6; Colossians 1:4–5; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 5:8). Of the three, the greatest is love, because love is the essential nature of God himself (see 1 John 4:7–12, 16–21). Therefore, love should define our relationship with him and others.