fact, the distinctive New Testament word for love. It has nothing to do with lust, nor is it mere affection. It is self-giving love, involving the direction of the will. There is little or no disagreement among interpreters as to the structure of the passage. It falls naturally into three clearly marked parts: verses 1–3, which set forth the necessity of love; verses 4–7, which show the excellence of love; and verses 8–13, which affirm the perpetuity of love. Robertson