Most evangelicals identify the apostle Paul as the author of 1 Corinthians (including 1 Corinthians 13:1–3). Below is a concise summary of who Paul was and why evangelicals attribute this passage to him, along with the passage’s immediate purpose and application from an evangelical perspective.

Who Paul was (brief evangelical profile)
– Identity: Paul (born Saul of Tarsus) — a Jewish Pharisee and a Roman citizen (Philippians 3:5; Acts 22:25–29).
– Conversion: He was dramatically converted to faith in Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), after which he became a devoted apostle.
– Apostolic calling: Paul claimed direct commissioning by the risen Christ to be an apostle to the Gentiles (Galatians 1:1, 1 Corinthians 15:8–10).
– Mission and ministry: He undertook several missionary journeys, planted churches (including in Corinth), and carried a pastoral and teaching role to those churches (Acts 18; 1 Corinthians 4:17).
– Writings and authority: Paul authored many New Testament letters. Evangelicals believe his letters are inspired by the Holy Spirit and authoritative for doctrine and Christian life (2 Timothy 3:16).

Why evangelicals accept Pauline authorship of 1 Corinthians
– Internal evidence: The letter opens with “Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:1), and the letter’s style, theology, and personal references match Paul’s other letters.
– Historical testimony: Early church writers and the pattern of reception in the early church attribute 1 Corinthians to Paul.
– Contextual fit: The letter addresses problems in the Corinthian church that Paul had personal connections to (he founded the church in Corinth and later received reports about its difficulties; Acts 18; 1 Corinthians 1:11).

Context and purpose of 1 Corinthians 13:1–3
– Location in the letter: Chapter 13 sits between discussions of spiritual gifts (chapters 12 and 14). Paul’s argument: spiritual gifts and spectacular ministries must be exercised in love, otherwise they are worthless.
– Immediate meaning of 13:1–3: Paul uses hyperbolic examples — speaking in tongues, prophetic powers, having great knowledge or faith, giving away possessions, even martyrdom — to show that without love, even the most impressive spiritual achievements amount to “nothing” (1 Cor. 13:1–3).
– Theological emphases: Love (agape) is presented as the defining character of Christian life and community; ethics and relationships are more fundamental than gifts or heroic acts.

Evangelical application and significance
– Love as the church’s mark: Evangelicals typically stress that authentic Christian ministry is judged by love — love for God and neighbor — not merely by outward success, gifts, or doctrinal cleverness.
– Balance of gifts and character: Spiritual gifts are real and important, but must be exercised with Christlike love; sanctification includes growth in love as the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23).
– Motivation for service: The passage calls Christians to ensure motives and means align with love — sacrificial giving or martyrdom without love lacks spiritual value.
– Pastoral use: 1 Corinthians 13 is often read in teaching about church life, Christian maturity, leadership, and personal holiness.

Typical dating and setting
– Date: Paul likely wrote 1 Corinthians about AD 53–57 while in Ephesus or on a missionary journey, responding to reports and letters about divisions and practices in the Corinthian church (Acts 18 provides the background for Paul’s time in Corinth).
– Audience: The congregation in Corinth — a cosmopolitan, morally mixed city where the church struggled with divisions, sexual immorality, and questions about worship and spiritual gifts.

If you want, I can:
– Provide a short exegesis of 1 Corinthians 13:1–3 line by line,
– Show how the passage has been used in evangelical preaching and discipleship,
– Offer practical ways to apply it in a local church context.