Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Corinthians 13:2

"And 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 have not love, I am nothing." — 1 Corinthians 13:2 (ASV)

Prophecy.—The Apostle valued the gift of prophecy—that is, preaching—more highly than the gift of tongues, which stood first in Corinthian estimation. He therefore naturally selects it as subject to the same condemnation if unaccompanied by love.

All the secrets of God’s providence and complete knowledge (see 1 Corinthians 12:8), even such a transcendent faith as Christ spoke of as capable of moving mountains (Matthew 17:20), may belong to a man, and without love he is nothing.

We must not take these words as implying that the Apostle personally possessed this vast knowledge and faith. The whole argument is put hypothetically—it supposes a man possessing these qualities.