1 Corinthians 13
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;
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.
Common Questions About 1 Corinthians 13
What does 1 Corinthians 13 say about love?
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 declares that even impressive spiritual gifts, eloquent speech, deep knowledge, great faith, and even sacrificial generosity, are worthless without genuine love, establishing love as the essential motivation behind everything else.
How does this chapter describe what love actually looks like?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 describes love as patient, kind, not envious or boastful, not arrogant or rude, not insisting on its own way, not irritable or resentful, and always bearing, believing, hoping, and enduring.
Have a different question about this chapter? Ask the Bible Chat Bot below.
Questions to Think About
- This famous description of love sets an extraordinarily high, practical standard. Which specific quality on this list is hardest for you to consistently live out in your closest relationships?
- Paul insists that even impressive spiritual accomplishments mean nothing without love as the underlying motivation. Where might you need to examine whether love, rather than performance or recognition, is truly driving your own actions?
Ask the Bible Chat Bot below if you'd like to talk through any of these.
