I Corinthians 13:3

bestow . . . goods . . . poor--literally, "dole out in food" all my goods; one of the highest functions of the "helps" (Co1 12:28). give . . . body to be burned--literally, "to such a degree as that I should be burned." As the three youths did (Dan 3:28), "yielded their bodies" (compare Co2 12:15). These are most noble exemplifications of love in giving and in suffering. Yet they may be without love; in which case the "goods" and "body" are given, but not the soul, which is the sphere of love. Without the soul God rejects all else, and so rejects the man, who is therefore "profited" nothing (Mat 16:26; Luk 9:23-25). Men will fight for Christianity, and die for Christianity, but not live in its spirit, which is love.

In this chapter the apostle goes on to show more particularly what that more excellent way was of which he had just before been speaking. He recommends it, I. By showing the necessity and importance of it (Co1 13:1-3). II. By giving a description of its properties and fruits (Co1 13:4-7). III. By showing how much it excels the best of gifts and other graces, by its continuance, when they shall be no longer in being, or of any use (Co1 13:8 to the end).

13:3 sacrificed my body, I could boast about it: Some manuscripts read sacrificed my body to be burned; it would have been easy for a copyist to change the text accidentally, because in Greek the two readings differ only by one letter. It is unclear which reading is to be preferred; however, the manuscripts supporting the reading I could boast are generally better. • I would have gained nothing: Even the most impressive sacrificial acts mean nothing if not motivated by love.