1 Corinthians Chapter 13

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Introduction

This chapter is a continuation of the subject commenced in chapter 12. In that chapter Paul had introduced the subject of the various endowments which the Holy Spirit confers on Christians, and had shown that these endowments, however various they were, were conferred in such a manner as best to promote the edification and welfare of the church. In the close of that chapter (1Cor 12:31) he had said that it was lawful for them to desire the most eminent of the gifts conferred by the Spirit; and yet says that there was one endowment that was more valuable than all others, and that might be obtained by all, and that he proposed to recommend to them. That was Love; sold to illustrate its nature, excellency, and power, is the design of this exquisitely beautiful and tender chapter. In doing this, he dwells particularly on three points or views of the excellency of love; and the chapter may be regarded as consisting of three portions.

I. The excellency of love above the power of speaking the languages of men and of angels; above the power of understanding all mysteries; above all faith, even of the highest kind; and above the virtue of giving all one's goods to feed the poor, or one's body to be burned. All these endowments would be valueless without love, 1Cor 13:1ff.

II. A statement of the characteristics of love; or its happy influences on the mind and heart, 1Cor 13:4ff.

III. A comparison of love with the gift of prophecy, and with the power of speaking foreign languages, and with knowledge, 1Cor 13:8ff. In this portion of the chapter, Paul shows that love is superior to them all. It will live in heaven; and will constitute the chief glory of that world of bliss.

Text

1: Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. edit

2: And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. edit

3: And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. edit

4: Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, edit

5: Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; edit

6: Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; edit

7: Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. edit

8: Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. edit

9: For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. edit

10: But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. edit

11: When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. edit

12: For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. edit

13: And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. edit