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1 Corinthians

Chapter 13 · King James Version

← Ch 12Chapter 13 of 16Ch 14 →
1Though 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.

Study Notes

Overview

First Corinthians 13 is the Bible's great love chapter — perhaps the most beautiful description of love ever written. Set between Paul's teaching on spiritual gifts, it argues that without love, every spiritual gift — tongues, prophecy, knowledge, faith, generosity, even martyrdom — counts for nothing. Love is described in 15 active characteristics, and Paul concludes that love is the greatest of all virtues.

Historical Context

The church in Corinth was gifted but divided. They were arguing about which spiritual gifts were most important, and some were using their gifts for self-promotion. Paul does not dismiss spiritual gifts — he sandwiches this chapter between his teaching on them (chapters 12 and 14). But he insists that gifts without love are meaningless. This chapter was meant to humble a congregation that had confused spiritual gift with spiritual maturity.

Application

Read verses 4–7 slowly and replace the word 'love' with your own name: '[Your name] is patient, [your name] is kind...' This is both convicting and aspirational. These verses are not describing merely human love — they describe God's love poured into us. The love Paul describes is not a feeling but a choice, practiced in the mundane moments of daily life. Ask God to grow this kind of love in you.

← Ch 12Chapter 13 of 16Ch 14 →
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