Chapter 13
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2And 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.
3And 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.
4Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8Charity 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.
9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11When 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.
12For 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.
13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
“And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
Overview
In what is often called the greatest chapter on love ever written, Paul shows that even the most spectacular spiritual gifts are worthless without charity. He provides an incomparable description of love's character — patient, kind, not envious, not puffed up — and declares that while prophecies, tongues, and knowledge will pass away, faith, hope, and charity abide forever, and the greatest of these is charity.
Key Themes
The Supremacy of Love
Without love, the most eloquent speech is a sounding brass, the greatest faith is nothing, and even martyrdom profits nothing — love is the indispensable virtue that gives meaning to all others.
The Character of Love
Love is defined not as a feeling but as a character: it suffers long, is kind, does not envy, does not seek its own, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
The Permanence of Love
Prophecies will fail, tongues will cease, and knowledge will vanish, but love never fails — when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away, and love will remain eternally.
Study Questions
Why does Paul say that even faith strong enough to move mountains is 'nothing' without love (v. 2)?
Which of the characteristics of love listed in verses 4-7 is most challenging for you personally, and why?
What does Paul mean by 'when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away' (v. 10)?
How does Paul's description of love serve as a corrective to the Corinthians' obsession with spectacular spiritual gifts?
How does replacing the word 'charity' with the name of Jesus in verses 4-7 reveal the ultimate standard of love?
Connection to Christ
The description of love in this chapter is ultimately a portrait of Jesus Christ Himself. He is the one who perfectly suffers long and is kind, who never seeks His own, who bears all things and endures all things. Christ's self-giving love on the cross is the supreme demonstration of the love Paul describes.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through 1 Corinthians 13. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?