What is at the core of every pagan religion?
At the very core of every pagan religion are mysteries—the secrets of that evil religion. Even if one understands all such mysteries and has mountain-moving faith, without love it amounts to nothing. The church at Ephesus had correct doctrine and discipline but lacked love, so it counted for nothing.
Les teaches that when you examine the pagan religions of the world, at their very core you find mysteries—the secrets of that evil religion. Paul uses the same word, "mysteries," for both the hidden things of pagan idolatry and the revealed mysteries of God. He says that even if he had the supernatural ability to understand all mysteries and faith that could remove mountains, if he did not have love, it would all amount to nothing. Les also points to the church at Ephesus in Revelation: they were correct in doctrine and had discipline in order, but their major lack was love. Without love, straight doctrine and perfect discipline count for nothing. Paul was coming to the Corinthians with things he disagreed with, but he would do it in the spirit of love.