THE LOVE CHAPTER 1 CORINTHIANS 13

This is the most famous chapter in 1 Corinthians. Please find my commentary below. By the way I'm nearly finished editing the entire book and will post it soon. God Bless.

1 CORINTHIANS

CHAPTER XIII

1 All giftes, 2. 3 how excellent soeuer, are nothing worth without charitie. 4 The praises therof, and 13 prelation before hope & faith.”

The Translators

OVERVIEW

Paul says, I am nothing without charity. If I have gifts and understand all mysteries and have faith to move mountains but have not charity, I am nothing. Charity is long-suffering, kind and humble. It is not self-serving or easily provoked. It does not think evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth. In all things, it bears, believe, hopes and endures. It never fails.

The gifts, prophecy and tongues etc will pass away, but charity will not. For, we prophesy and know only in part, but that too will change. When I was a child, I was childish; but, now a man, I put away childish things.

Now we see only darkly, but the day will come when all things will be known.

Faith, hope and charity abides, but the greatest is charity.

V. 1

“1 Though I speake with the tongues of men & of Angels, and haue not charity, I am become as sounding brasse or a tinkling cymbal.”

If a person speaks all known languages and unknown angelic languages, but does not have charity, he is either blasting away or tinkling; neither benefits anyone. Paul may have been alluding to the fact that history records that certain persons on the Sanhedrin Council spoke 70 languages; Mordecai, for example. Also, Mithridates, king of Pontus and Bithynia spoke 25 languages to communicate with the 25 nations under his rule. And some non-biblical Jewish writings insist that at the tower of Babel, the Lord confused the language turning it into 70 tongues and 70 nations. This is debatable and not to be taken dogmatically.

Paul suggests that even if one’s gift of languages is either naturally earned or God-given, without charity (love), such an academic achievement or divine empowerment is worthless. By charity, Paul does not mean giving to the poor; but rather the idea of doing all things in brotherly love, which, of course, may include alms, but is much greater than any single act of kindness. It is the spirit of God permeating the lives of believers; it is the governing spirit from which emanates all our thoughts and actions. If love, it is made evident in our conduct toward others; do we put the well-being of others first? Do our thoughts and conduct toward others bring glory to God and cause no offense to the brethren? (Romans 16:17 & 1 Corinthians 10:32)

V. 2

“2 And though I haue the gift of prophesie, and vnderstand all mysteries and all knowledge: and though I haue all faith, so that I could remooue mountaines, and haue no charitie, I am nothing.”

Even the most intelligent and gifted among the Saints, without love is nothing. A man may have unmatched intelligence and deep understanding accompanied by a magnitude of faith as to perform great and seemingly impossible things; yet, without the love of God permeating the entire man, he is nothing. He may have prophetic understanding exceeding that of the Prophets and may know the mysteries of all things spiritual and physical, but without love he is nothing. The greater a man is in the flesh, and sometimes even in the gifts of the spirit, the more likely he will become puffed up (1 Corinthians 8:1). And, the puffed up man is void of love; his love is toward himself and his own glorification. A man who loves himself more than others, does not have the love of God in him; and, certainly he has no real love for God.

V. 3

“3 And though I bestowe all my goods to feed the poore, and though I giue my body to bee burned, and haue not charitie, it profiteth me nothing.”

Feeding the poor is a good thing, but when done for the accolades of men, it is wickedness to the giver. Personal sacrifice of the most extreme nature means nothing to God, if a man does it for recognition. In such performances, the love of God is absent. Still, others may benefit, but the giver has no reward from God; for love is without expectation of return. Keep your alms private.

Jesus said, “1 Take heed that yee doe not your almes before men, to bee seene of them: otherwise yee haue no reward of your father which is in heauen. 2 Therefore, when thou doest thine almes, doe not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites doe, in the Synagogues, and in the streetes, that they may haue glory of men. Uerily, I say vnto you, the haue their reward. 3 But when thou doest almes, let not thy left hand know, what thy right doeth: 4 That thine almes may be in secret: And thy father which seeth in secret, himselfe shall reward thee openly.” (Matthew 6:1-4)

God knows the true spirit of love and rewards it; but the poser and hypocrite, he does not reward. Thus, as Paul says sacrifice and giving without love profits nothing.

Vs. 4 - 7

“4 Charitie suffereth long, and is kinde: charitie enuieth not: charitie vaunteth not it selfe, is not puffed vp, 5 Doeth not behaue it selfe vnseemly, seeketh not her owne, is not easily prouoked, thinketh no euill, 6 Reioyceth not in iniquitie, but reioyceth in the trueth: 7 Beareth all things, beleeueth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

Love endures all manner of things, including injustice and abuse. Despite wrongful treatment, love returns kindness, not evil for evil; love returns good for evil. Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church, “See that none render euill for euill vnto any man: but euer follow that which is good both among your selues and to all men.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15) When Paul says, “Charitie suffereth long,” he means that a person with the love of God in him or her suffers abuse without retaliation. Rather, they offer kindness in return, knowing that the Lord will set all things right in his time. Returning evil for evil is the way of the world; conversely, the way of Christ is to return blessings to those who despitefully use you. Jesus said, “But I say vnto you, Loue your enemies, blesse them that curse you, doe good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully vse you, and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44) This is the long-suffering and kindness of which Paul wrote.

Love does not envy; rather, a person with the love of Christ indwelling them rejoices at the blessings and goodness God shows others. There is no resentment in love; when others do well, the man or woman of God is filled with gladness; for, that which God does deserves glory. Thus, a person with the love of God in their heart does not feel that God passed over them in favor of others; there is no bitterness of spirit. And, even when God’s favor is shown to the wicked and godless, there is no animosity in the heart of a true believer. Indeed, those in Christ rejoice in all things, knowing that God’s purpose is fulfilled.

“Charitie vaunteth not itself,” means that there is no boastfulness in love. Boastfulness is arrogance and self-glorification. A boastful person regards themself superior to others; they look down their noses at others. They view themselves as entitled and blessed by God because of who they are, not because of the goodness of God. Because of this they look down on others less fortunate, presuming that some wickedness or inferiority in their life is the cause of God withholding his blessings. This was the case with Job’s friends who accused Job of hidden sin, therefore God was punishing him (Job 22). But, that was not true; and God set the matter right in Job 42; wherein Job was vindicated and Job’s friends reprimanded by God. At no time did Job vaunt himself up, or return his friends’ ignorance with envy, anger or animosity; rather, he faithfully listened to them and prayed for them.

“Charitie…is not puffed up,” means that a person with the love of Christ in them does not swell up with pride and self-importance. Their intelligence, abilities, knowledge, learning, eloquence and station in life do not cause them to believe they are better than those less fortunate. Love is expressed in humility.

“Charitie…doeth not behaue it selfe vnseemly.” This means love does not produce ill manners, bad language, lecherous conduct, foolish jesting, greed, covetousness, thefts, railing and drunkenness.

“Charitie…seeketh not her owne,” means there is no ‘me first’ in the heart of the believer. Grace toward others prevails, and love considers the needs of others first. Jesus said, “So the last shall be first, and the first last…” (Matthew 20:16) Charity seeks the will of God, not the will of man. It does not insist on its rights if, as a result, harm should come to others, even if lawful and within the bounds of Christian liberty (1 Corinthians 8:9).

“Charitie…is not easily provoked.” The love of God is patient and long-suffering; similarly, believers should conduct themselves “With all lowliness and meekeness, with long suffering forbearing one another in loue.” (Ephesians 4:2) This was Paul’s instruction to the Ephesian church. Believers patiently wait, enduring all manner of persecution and wrong, knowing that God commands it. Paul wrote, “Now the God of patience and consolation graunt you to be like minded one towards another, according to Christ Iesus.” (Romans 15:5)

“Charitie…thinketh no euill.” Love harbors no thoughts of harm to others, nor does it plot wickedness. The mind of love is preoccupied with the things of God and goodwill toward all men.

“Charitie reioyceth not in iniquitie.” Iniquity means foul, immoral and unjust behavior. Love takes no pleasure in such things. It does not admire twisting and distorting the truth or the art of deception. Such things are an abomination to the true believer in Christ. Being able to deceive and mislead brings no pleasure.

“Charitie…reioyceth in the trueth:” All things that are true bring joy to the believer who is rooted in love. This applies even when the truth is challenging and painful. Above all, Christ and his Gospel are truth, and this brings great joy, especially when souls are saved because of the “Trueth.”

“Charitie…beareth all things.” All that the Lord asks us to bear, we bear gladly, whether it be persecutions and suffering of self and the brethren. Paul wrote, “Of the Iewes fiue times receiued I forty stripes saue one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned: thrice I suffered shipwrack: a night and a day I haue bene in the deepe. 26 In iuoyneying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by my owne countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the citie, in perils in the wildernesse, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren, 27 In wearinesse and painfulness, in watching often, in hunger & thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakednes.” (2 Corinthians 11:24-27) Paul endured all these things for the glory of God. Similarly, believers are called to bear that which the Lord has put in front of them; to bear all things with joy and praise unto God, not bitterness or anger toward God or man.

“Charitie…beleeueth all things.” All that is good and godly, a man of God believes; the scriptures, the prophecies and the doctrines. For, this is counted to us as faith. We have Abraham as our example. “Abraham beleeued God and it was counted unto him for righteousnesse.” (Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6 & James 2:23) We believe because God loves us and we love God; and, because of that we love our fellow man. No man can say he loves God and at the same time hates his neighbor (1 John 4:20).

“Charitie…hopeth all things.” The deep love of Christ indwelling the believer, produces hope; not hope as in wishful thinking, but hope grounded in God who made promises not yet fulfilled. Because we love God, we believe things he promised; that they will come to pass as he said. We love God and therefore do not make a liar of him through disbelief. Surely, if we make God a liar, we do not love him; and, how can we love our fellow man, if we hate God? Was man not made in the image of God? (Genesis 1:27)

“Charitie…endureth all things.” Similar to bearing all things, love endures being slandered, lied about, despised, falsely accused, cheated and abused. For, in enduring, we glorify God and our faith is strengthened. We seek no revenge, knowing God will avenge all wrong in his time. We endure all manner of wrong, because we love God and trust him. Paul wrote, “And not onely so, but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience: 4 And patience, experience: and experience, hope.” (Romans 5:3-4) Thus, our faith and depth of character increases because we endure with a right attitude unto God.

V. 8

“8 Charite neuer faileth: but whether there be prophesies, they shall faile; whether there bee tongues, they shall cease; whether there bee knowledge, it shall vanish away.”

The love of God is eternal; it cannot fail; it is an immutable characteristic of his nature. Just as God is omnipresent, omnipotent, and without beginning or end, God is love (1 John 4:8). Because God cannot cease, his immutable characteristics cannot. Therefore, love never fails. Prophesies will fail because once they are fulfilled, they are no more, and tongues will cease because all in Christ will be of one mind, and our communications will no longer be confused, but unified in Christ; thus, tongues will no longer serve any purpose and they will cease. And, knowledge will vanish away; not meaning the perfect and complete knowledge of God, but man’s knowledge will vanish, because in the face of an eternal, all-knowing God, it is no longer necessary.

V. 9

“9 For we know in part, and we prophesie in part.”

All that we know is incomplete; only God has complete knowledge of all things.

V. 10

“10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part, shalbe done away.”

“Perfect” refers to complete knowledge of all things; though scripture is true, it is God’s partial revelation to man; for the entirety of God’s knowledge is of eternal proportions and cannot be discerned by the limited and sin-ridden mind of man. Thus, God has not revealed all things to man; but only things in part, according to that which man may apprehend and comprehend. Christ will fulfill all prophecies; and that which we know only in part will be known fully and by virtue of its fulfillment, done away with.

V. 11

“11 When I was a childe, I spake as a childe, I vnderstood as a childe, I thought as a childe: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”

Our maturity in Christ is achieved when we are made incorruptible in the resurrection of Saints. Until such a time, we are children in Christ, continuing to grow, but not fully mature. Thus, in God’s view we are but children, knowing certain things, but compared to God, we understand and speak as children. Upon first coming to Christ, we were like babies, knowing nothing, but as we grew in Christ, we put away certain things; and now, no longer babies, we have a greater understanding of the things of God. Yet, we still only know in part (v.10). We may have reached a certain level of understanding and maturity, but we await our final transformation when Christ perfects the Saints.

V. 12

“12 For now we see through a glasse, darkely: but then face to face: now I now in part, but then shall I know euen as also I am knowen.”

Our vision is obscured by sin and corruption. We cannot see things clearly; for the troubles of life and the distractions of the world also distort our understanding. When Christ returns, we shall be made new and we will see him as he is. John wrote, “Beloued, now are we the sonnes of God, and it doeth not yet appeare, what wee shall be: but wee know, what when he appeare, we shall bee like him: for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2) At that time, when we stand before Christ face to face, and we are made like him, we will know all things fully, as does Christ. No longer will we be confused about certain things, or speculate, or wonder; rather; being made like him in the resurrection means we will no longer look at the world, the cosmos and the meaning of things through dark glasses. Until we are made incorruptible (1 Corinthians 15:51-52), we cannot see clearly, as corruption taints our understanding. Though God fully knows all things, including all persons, we do not know him has he knows us. His knowledge is complete, while ours is not. But, the day will come when we will know God, as he intends us to know the fullness of his majesty and glory. As, John wrote, “we shall see him as he is.”

V. 13

“13 And now abideth faith, hope, charitie, these three, but the greatest of these is charitie.”

Charity, which is love, is the greatest because it is the nature of God. “…God is loue.” (1 John 4:8). And, from God comes all graces unto man. He created man with the ability to believe; to have faith, hope and love. If we love God our faith is in him; he is our creator and provider; our redeemer. We believe and know that all things in our life, good and bad, “…work together for the good to them that loue God.” (Romans 8:28) Our faith is rightly placed in the ‘person’ of God; therefore we have faith that, regardless of circumstances, the details of our life are according to the will of God. Because of rightly placed faith, we learn contentment. Paul wrote, “…for I haue learned in whatsoeuer state I am, therewith to bee content.” (Philippians 4:11) The first product of faith is salvation, then we learn contentment.

When we were without Christ we had faith, but in all the wrong things; it was a faith that brought no contentment. It was a faith that was never satisfied in the things of the world. We trusted in the wisdom of men; knowledge, philosophy, science, success, acclaim, worldly goods and money. Yet, none of these things satisfied our cravings; it was never enough because our faith was wrongly placed. But, because the love of God, God was and is long-suffering; that all should come to faith in him (2 Peter 3:9). Thus, love precedes faith, and therefore is greater.

Hope is common to all persons, saved and unsaved. All hope in various things; a better tomorrow, healthy successful children, long life, peace and prosperity. Yet, hope without the precedent of faith in God, is merely wishful thinking; a somewhat misguided notion of positivity. Because of Christ our hope is not shadowed by doubt, but hope that is guaranteed because we believe in God, and therefore his promises are true; for God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). Thus, we hope in sure things; all that God says will come to pass. Therefore, we keep the faith and we patiently wait, never for a moment doubting God’s promises. Our ultimate hope is the return of Christ and the resurrection of the Saints; we know this will happen, and we labor in Christ awaiting this glorious event. We endure to the end, as Jesus said, knowing a crown of life awaits those who keep the faith until the end (Matthew 10:22 & 2 Timothy 4:7). We have this sure hope because the one who promised it first loved us, and his perfect nature is our guarantee for now and eternity.