1 Corinthians Chapter 13 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
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.
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.
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.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
1 Corinthians Chapter 13 (New Testament, King James Bible)
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
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.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
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.
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.
Last verse of 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 (below)
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
| Greek Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ἀγάπη — agapē | Verse 1 — “…have not charity…” | “Love,” self-giving love. | Agapē (“love”) denotes sacrificial affection (“charity/love”). Paul elevates it above all gifts. The term defines Christian virtue. — Richard C. Trench, Synonyms of the NT (1896) |
| μακροθυμέω — makrothymeō | Verse 4 — “love suffereth long…” | “Be patient,” endure. | Makrothymeō (“to be patient”) describes restrained endurance (“long-suffering”). Love absorbs provocation. The term reflects divine patience. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
| χρηστεύομαι — chrēsteuomai | Verse 4 — “…is kind…” | “Be kind,” act beneficially. | Chrēsteuomai (“to be kind”) signifies active goodness (“kind”). Love expresses gentle benevolence. The term reveals moral sweetness. — Joseph Henry Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| περπερεύομαι — perpereuomai | Verse 4 — “…vaunteth not itself…” | “Boast,” parade oneself. | Perpereuomai (“to boast”) critiques self-display (“vaunt”). True love avoids arrogance. The term condemns spiritual pride. — Philip Schaff, Commentary on Corinthians (1882) |
| φυσιόω — physiōō | Verse 4 — “…is not puffed up…” | “Inflate,” be arrogant. | Physioō (“to inflate”) reveals internal pride (“puffed up”). Love rejects superiority. The term critiques factionalism. — Richard Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
| ἀσχημονέω — aschēmoneō | Verse 5 — “…doth not behave itself unseemly…” | “Act unbecomingly.” | Aschēmoneō (“to act unseemly”) describes disorderly conduct (“behave improperly”). Love brings dignity. The term stresses moral manners. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
| παροξύνω — paroxynō | Verse 5 — “…not easily provoked…” | “Irritate,” stir to anger. | Paroxynō (“to provoke”) means agitation (“irritate”). Love resists irritation. The term depicts emotional restraint. — James Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (1898) |
| λογίζομαι — logizomai | Verse 5 — “…thinketh no evil…” | “Reckon,” count. | Logizomai (“to reckon”) implies keeping account (“record/keep score”). Love refuses to tally wrongs. The term emphasizes forgiveness. — Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon (1889) |
| συγχαίρω — synchairo | Verse 6 — “…rejoiceth in the truth.” | “Rejoice with.” | Synchairo (“rejoice with”) expresses shared joy (“rejoice in”). Love celebrates righteousness. The term unites joy with truth. — Philip Schaff, Commentary (1882) |
| μένω — menō | Verse 13 — “…now abideth faith, hope, love…” | “Remain,” abide. | Menō (“to remain”) signifies enduring permanence (“abide”). Love outlasts temporal gifts. The term highlights lasting virtue. — B. F. Westcott, Epistles of St. John (1883) |
1 Corinthians Chapter 13 Devotional
Verse: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." - 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
Lesson: The love that Paul speaks about in this chapter is not merely an emotional feeling, but a selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love that reflects the nature of God. This kind of love is essential in every aspect of our lives, whether in our relationships with others, our service to God, or our pursuit of spiritual gifts.
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Conclusion: As believers, we should strive to cultivate and demonstrate this kind of love in our daily lives. We must seek to love others as God loves us, putting aside our own desires and preferences in order to serve and care for those around us.
Prayer Points:
l Pray for the Holy Spirit's help to love others as God loves us.
l Ask God to show us how to love sacrificially and selflessly.
l Pray for the grace to put aside our own desires and preferences in order to serve others.
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