1 Corinthians 13
King James Version (KJV)
13 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;
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.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Corinthians 13 - It is well known as the “love chapter”. There is much that can be discussed in these verses, and I highly recommend this chapter be read often in its entirety. It truly is a passage that can encourage. But for this devotional, I will focus only on the substance of the chapter rather than verse by verse.
The King James Version - which I prefer - uses the word charity in this text, but charity here, is widely defined as the word "love". In the Greek, the word “agape” was used in each verse in this chapter. “Agape” is formed from the Greek word “agapao” which means to “love in a social or moral sense”. Agape in the Strong’s Concordance is defined as “love, i.e. affection or benevolence” which is charity in its purest sense. Agape is the same Greek word used that is used in 1 John 4: 8. “For God is love.”
Prior to this chapter, Paul (the author of Corinthians) had spoken to the Corinthians about their lack of love, especially in regard to the use of their God-given gifts. The spiritual gifts had become a source of pride and competition. Paul had previously made it clear that one gift is not better than the other. In this chapter he assures them (and us) that love is more important than any of the spirtual gifts bestowed on the body.
1 Corinthians 13 gives us the true definition of love. We see in these verses that all is in vain without love. For without love, our actions will not sustain. Our gifts will not reach to the heart without love.
Chapter 12 assures us that the gifts are given to serve the body. Chapter 13 explains the only way those gifts can be effective - only when used in love; and later Chapter 14 will tell us how we are able to act in love for the benefit of others.
So focusing on the first three verses of Chapter 13, we learn the importance of love:
3 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.
Clearly none of our actions are worth much without love.
Next, verses 4- 8 gives us a clear picture of what love really is and it is probably the most often quoted part of this chapter.
Finally, verses 9 -13 focus on the revelation we will have in the after-life. Only in heaven will we have complete understanding of what we see dimly now. There love will be perfected, with a true and complete love for God and also for one another. Certainly love cannot be understood or complete without faith and hope, but love is the greatest of these and it will not be perfected until we see God face to face.
Until then, may we strive to serve our God, by serving others with true love.
1 John 4: 7-21
Romans 5: 8
King James Version (KJV)
13 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;
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.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Corinthians 13 - It is well known as the “love chapter”. There is much that can be discussed in these verses, and I highly recommend this chapter be read often in its entirety. It truly is a passage that can encourage. But for this devotional, I will focus only on the substance of the chapter rather than verse by verse.
The King James Version - which I prefer - uses the word charity in this text, but charity here, is widely defined as the word "love". In the Greek, the word “agape” was used in each verse in this chapter. “Agape” is formed from the Greek word “agapao” which means to “love in a social or moral sense”. Agape in the Strong’s Concordance is defined as “love, i.e. affection or benevolence” which is charity in its purest sense. Agape is the same Greek word used that is used in 1 John 4: 8. “For God is love.”
Prior to this chapter, Paul (the author of Corinthians) had spoken to the Corinthians about their lack of love, especially in regard to the use of their God-given gifts. The spiritual gifts had become a source of pride and competition. Paul had previously made it clear that one gift is not better than the other. In this chapter he assures them (and us) that love is more important than any of the spirtual gifts bestowed on the body.
1 Corinthians 13 gives us the true definition of love. We see in these verses that all is in vain without love. For without love, our actions will not sustain. Our gifts will not reach to the heart without love.
Chapter 12 assures us that the gifts are given to serve the body. Chapter 13 explains the only way those gifts can be effective - only when used in love; and later Chapter 14 will tell us how we are able to act in love for the benefit of others.
So focusing on the first three verses of Chapter 13, we learn the importance of love:
3 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.
Clearly none of our actions are worth much without love.
Next, verses 4- 8 gives us a clear picture of what love really is and it is probably the most often quoted part of this chapter.
Finally, verses 9 -13 focus on the revelation we will have in the after-life. Only in heaven will we have complete understanding of what we see dimly now. There love will be perfected, with a true and complete love for God and also for one another. Certainly love cannot be understood or complete without faith and hope, but love is the greatest of these and it will not be perfected until we see God face to face.
Until then, may we strive to serve our God, by serving others with true love.
1 John 4: 7-21
Romans 5: 8
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