I Corinthians 13
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Though I speak, etc. - At the conclusion of the preceding chapter the apostle promised to show the Corinthians a more excellent way than that in which they were now proceeding. They were so distracted with contentions, divided by parties, and envious of each other's gifts, that unity was nearly destroyed. This was a full proof that love to God and man was wanting; and that without this, their numerous gifts and other graces were nothing in the eyes of God; for it was evident that they did not love one another, which is a proof that they did not love God; and consequently, that they had not true religion. Having, by his advices and directions, corrected many abuses, and having shown them how in outward things they should walk so as to please God, he now shows them the spirit, temper, and disposition in which this should be done, and without which all the rest must be ineffectual. Before I proceed to the consideration of the different parts of this chapter, it may be necessary to examine whether the word αγαπη be best translated by charity or love. Wiclif, translating from the Vulgate, has the word charity; and him our authorized version follows. But Coverdale, Matthews, Cranmer, and the Geneva Bible, have love; which is adopted by recent translators and commentators in general; among whom the chief are Dodd, Pearce, Purver, Wakefield, and Wesley; all these strenuously contend that the word charity, which is now confined to almsgiving, is utterly improper; and that the word love, alone expresses the apostle's sense. As the word charity seems now to express little else than almsgiving, which, performed even to the uttermost of a man's power, is nothing if he lack what the apostle terms αγαπη, and which we here translate charity; it is best to omit the use of a word in this…
Open source ↗CHARITY OR LOVE SUPERIOR TO ALL GIFTS. (Co1 13:1-13) tongues--from these he ascends to "prophecy" (Co1 13:2); then, to "faith"; then to benevolent and self-sacrificing deeds: a climax. He does not except even himself, and so passes from addressing them ("unto you," Co1 12:31) to putting the case in his own person, "Though I," &c. speak with the tongues--with the eloquence which was so much admired at Corinth (for example, Apollos, Act 18:24; compare Co1 1:12; Co1 3:21-22), and with the command of various languages, which some at Corinth abused to purposes of mere ostentation (Co1 14:2, &c.). of angels--higher than men, and therefore, it is to be supposed, speaking a more exalted language. charity--the principle of the ordinary and more important gifts of the Spirit, as contrasted with the extraordinary gifts (1Co. 12:1-31). sounding . . . tinkling--sound without soul or feeling: such are "tongues" without charity. cymbal--Two kinds are noticed (Psa 150:5), the loud or clear, and the high-sounding one: hand cymbals and finger cymbals, or castanets. The sound is sharp and piercing.
Open source ↗Though I speak with the tongues of men,.... That is, of all men, all languages that men anywhere speak, or have been spoken by them. The number of these is by some said (i) to be "seventy five"; but the general opinion of the Jews is, that at the confusion of languages at Babel, they were seventy; for they say (k), that then "the holy blessed God descended, and "seventy angels" surrounding the throne of his glory, and confounded the languages of seventy people, and every nation of the seventy had their own language and writing, and an angel set over each nation;'' whether this may be the reason, why the tongues of angels are mentioned here with those of men, let it be considered. Mordecai, they say (l), was skilled in all these seventy languages, so that when he heard Bigthan and Teresh, who were Tarsians, talking together in the Tarsian language, he understood them. The same is said (m) of R. Akiba, R. Joshua, and R. Eliezer; yet, they say (n), that this was one of the qualifications of the sanhedrim, or of such that sat in that great council, that they should understand these seventy languages, because they were not to hear causes from the mouth of an interpreter. It is affirmed (o) of Mithridates, king of Pontus and Bithynia, that he had "twenty five" nations under his government, and that he so well understood, and could speak the language of each nation, as to converse with men of any of them, without an interpreter. Apollonius Tyaneus (p) pretended to understand, and speak with the tongues of all men; such a case the apostle supposes here, whether attained to by learning, industry, and close application, or by an extraordinary gift of the Spirit, which latter seems to be what he intends; and the rather he mentions this, and begins with it, because many of the Cori…
Open source ↗Here the apostle shows what more excellent way he meant, or had in view, in the close of the former chapter, namely, charity, or, as it is commonly elsewhere rendered, love - agapē: not what is meant by charity in our common use of the word, which most men understand of alms - giving, but love in its fullest and most extensive meaning, true love to God and man, a benevolent disposition of mind towards our fellow-christians, growing out of sincere and fervent devotion to God. This living principle of all duty and obedience is the more excellent way of which the apostle speaks, preferable to all gifts. Nay, without this the most glorious gifts are nothing, of no account to us, of no esteem in the sight of God. He specifies, 1. The gift of tongues: 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, Co1 13:1. Could a man speak all the languages on earth, and that with the greatest propriety, elegance, and fluency, could he talk like an angel, and yet be without charity, it would be all empty noise, mere unharmonious and useless sound, that would neither profit nor delight. It is not talking freely, nor finely, nor learnedly, of the things of God, that will save ourselves, or profit others, if we are destitute of holy love. It is the charitable heart, not the voluble tongue, that is acceptable with God. The apostle specifies first this gift because hereupon the Corinthians seemed chiefly to value themselves and despise their brethren. 2. Prophecy, and the understanding of mysteries, and all knowledge. This without charity is as nothing, Co1 13:2. Had a man ever so clear an understanding of the prophecies and types under the old dispensation, ever so accurate a knowledge of the doctrines of Christi…
Open source ↗13:1-13 Paul interrupts his discussion of spiritual gifts (resumed in ch 14) to emphasize that love is more important than any spiritual gift (cp. 8:1-3). The most important thing for Christians is to become deeply and consistently loving people. 13:1-3 Spiritual gifts in themselves do not define our worth to God or to the church. In fact, apart from the expression of love, spiritual gifts are of no value. 13:1 all the languages of earth (literally the tongues of men) and of angels: Tongues was the spiritual gift most highly prized by the Corinthians (see also 12:10, 28; 14:1-25, 27). Some may have thought tongues to be the language of angels; in Acts, Luke uses the same term to refer to natural human languages (see Acts 2:4-13).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
ἐάν (eán, G1437) — a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other… λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words γλῶσσα (glōssa, G1100) — the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired) ἄνθρωπος (ánthrōpos, G444) — from G3700 (ὀπτάνομαι)); man-faced, i.e. a human being καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἄγγελος (ángelos, G32) — compare G34 (ἀγέλη)) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by… δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… ἀγάπη (agápē, G26) — love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἠχέω (ēchéō, G2278) — to make a loud noise, i.e. reverberate χαλκός (chalkós, G5475) — copper (the substance, or some implement or coin made of it) ἤ (ḗ, G2228) — disjunctive, or; comparative, than
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐάν (eán, G1437) — a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other… ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… προφητεία (prophēteía, G4394) — prediction (scriptural or other) εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole μυστήριον (mystḗrion, G3466) — a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious… γνῶσις (gnōsis, G1108) — knowing (the act), i.e. (by implication) knowledge πίστις (pístis, G4102) — persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of… ὥστε (hṓste, G5620) — so too, i.e. thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow) μεθίστημι (methístēmi, G3179) — to transfer, i.e. carry away, depose or (figuratively) exchange, seduce ὄρος (óros, G3735) — perhaps akin to G142 (αἴρω); compare G3733 (ὄρνις)); a mountain (as lifting itself above… δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer…
Open source ↗καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐάν (eán, G1437) — a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other… ψωμίζω (psōmízō, G5595) — to supply with bits, i.e. (generally) to nourish πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me ὑπάρχοντα (hypárchonta, G5224) — things extant or in hand, i.e. property or possessions παραδίδωμι (paradídōmi, G3860) — to surrender, i.e yield up, intrust, transmit σῶμα (sōma, G4983) — the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) καίω (kaíō, G2545) — to set on fire, i.e. kindle or (by implication) consume δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ἔχω (échō, G2192) — to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote;… μή (mḗ, G3361) — (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer… ἀγάπη (agápē, G26) — love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
Open source ↗ἀγάπη (agápē, G26) — love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast μακροθυμέω (makrothyméō, G3114) — to be long-spirited, i.e. (objectively) forbearing or (subjectively) patient χρηστεύομαι (chrēsteúomai, G5541) — to show oneself useful, i.e. act benevolently ζηλόω (zēlóō, G2206) — to have warmth of feeling for or against οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not περπερεύομαι (perpereúomai, G4068) — perhaps by reduplication of the base of G4008 (πέραν)); to boast φυσιόω (physióō, G5448) — to inflate, i.e. (figuratively) make proud (haughty)
Open source ↗ἀσχημονέω (aschēmonéō, G807) — to be (i.e. act) unbecoming οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ζητέω (zētéō, G2212) — to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a… ἑαυτοῦ (heautoû, G1438) — him- (her-, it-, them-, also (in conjunction with the personal pronoun of the other… παροξύνω (paroxýnō, G3947) — to sharpen alongside, i.e. (figuratively) to exasperate λογίζομαι (logízomai, G3049) — to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively) κακός (kakós, G2556) — worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas G4190 (πονηρός) properly refers to effects), i.e.…
Open source ↗χαίρω (chaírō, G5463) — to be "cheer"ful, i.e. calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as salutation… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἐπί (epí, G1909) — properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of… ἀδικία (adikía, G93) — (legal) injustice (properly, the quality, by implication, the act); morally, wrongfulness… δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. συγχαίρω (synchaírō, G4796) — to sympathize in gladness, congratulate ἀλήθεια (alḗtheia, G225) — truth
Open source ↗στέγω (stégō, G4722) — to roof over, i.e. (figuratively) to cover with silence (endure patiently) πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole πιστεύω (pisteúō, G4100) — to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by… ἐλπίζω (elpízō, G1679) — to expect or confide ὑπομένω (hypoménō, G5278) — to stay under (behind), i.e. remain; figuratively, to undergo, i.e. bear (trials), have…
Open source ↗ἀγάπη (agápē, G26) — love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast οὐδέποτε (oudépote, G3763) — not even at any time, i.e. never at all ἐκπίπτω (ekpíptō, G1601) — to drop away; specially, be driven out of one's course; figuratively, to lose, become… δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. εἴτε (eíte, G1535) — if too προφητεία (prophēteía, G4394) — prediction (scriptural or other) καταργέω (katargéō, G2673) — to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively γλῶσσα (glōssa, G1100) — the tongue; by implication, a language (specially, one naturally unacquired) παύω (paúō, G3973) — to stop (transitively or intransitively), i.e. restrain, quit, desist, come to an end γνῶσις (gnōsis, G1108) — knowing (the act), i.e. (by implication) knowledge
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… γινώσκω (ginṓskō, G1097) — to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as… ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) μέρος (méros, G3313) — a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… προφητεύω (prophēteúō, G4395) — to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. ὅταν (hótan, G3752) — whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively… τέλειος (téleios, G5046) — complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.);… ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) τότε (tóte, G5119) — the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) μέρος (méros, G3313) — a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application) καταργέω (katargéō, G2673) — to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively
Open source ↗ὅτε (hóte, G3753) — at which (thing) too, i.e. when ἤμην (ḗmēn, G2252) — I was νήπιος (nḗpios, G3516) — not speaking, i.e. an infant (minor); figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature… λαλέω (laléō, G2980) — to talk, i.e. utter words ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) φρονέω (phronéō, G5426) — to exercise the mind, i.e. entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to… λογίζομαι (logízomai, G3049) — to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively) δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἀνήρ (anḗr, G435) — a man (properly as an individual male) καταργέω (katargéō, G2673) — to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἄρτι (árti, G737) — just now βλέπω (blépō, G991) — to look at (literally or figuratively) διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ἔσοπτρον (ésoptron, G2072) — a mirror (for looking into) ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. αἴνιγμα (aínigma, G135) — an obscure saying ("enigma"), i.e. (abstractly) obscureness δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. τότε (tóte, G5119) — the when, i.e. at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution) πρόσωπον (prósōpon, G4383) — the front (as being towards view), i.e. the countenance, aspect, appearance, surface; by… πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… γινώσκω (ginṓskō, G1097) — to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as… ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) μέρος (méros, G3313) — a division or share (literally or figuratively, in a wide application)
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. νυνί (nyní, G3570) — just now μένω (ménō, G3306) — to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy) πίστις (pístis, G4102) — persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of… ἐλπίς (elpís, G1680) — expectation (abstractly or concretely) or confidence ἀγάπη (agápē, G26) — love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast ταῦτα (taûta, G5023) — these things τρεῖς (treîs, G5140) — "three" μείζων (meízōn, G3187) — larger (literally or figuratively, specially, in age) τούτων (toútōn, G5130) — of (from or concerning) these (persons or things)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
The goal of our instruction is the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love.
Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error.
Then the King will answer, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me.’
If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died.
To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by the same Spirit,