The word is so important that it permeates the Bible. It is listed at the head of the fruit of the Spirit. It is the key component of Jesus’ summary of the Torah and, in fact, all of Scripture. Love is the character trait that defines all Christian relationships: with God, with each other, in marriage, in families, even with enemies. But here, it is the word Paul uses to describe the best way, the only way, to exercise spiritual gifts, to act as a church.