Paul spills a lot of ink leading up to these verses. He addresses questions of lifestyle, worship, Eucharist, service and unity among the Church in Corinth. Then he points out even if all these things are in place - if there is no love - then not one of them is worth it. It is just noise. It is all nothing. It is worthless. Love, is the most excellent way.
This is important for us to consider for often we can be about all sorts of good things - speaking Divine words, spouting knowledge and wisdom, giving generously, even risking our own security for the sake of others ... but if any of these things are done without love it simply does not matter. Which means love must be the foundation of all we do - whether justice, generosity, teaching, acts of service, worship - everything must be grounded in love.