Nothing is less than something. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Paul points out in these first three verses how important fulfilling the new command of Jesus is by displaying the fruit of love in our lives. In verse 4, Paul gives us the characteristics of sacrificial and unconditional love. The degree to which we express these characteristics is a degree to which we have yielded individually to the indwelling of Jesus Christ.
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.