The Bible — World English Bible
1 Corinthians 13
In brief
1 Corinthians 13 is often called the chapter of love, but it fits within Paul's reflection on spiritual gifts. He explains that even the greatest gifts are worth nothing without love. He then describes this love through concrete characteristics: patience, kindness, freedom from envy and pride, unwillingness to seek its own interest. He shows finally that love endures while prophecies, tongues, and knowledge are partial. The chapter concludes with three realities that remain: faith, hope, and love, and affirms that the greatest is love.
The chapter in 4 parts
1If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.
2If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing.
3If I give away all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.
4Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud,
5doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;
6doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
7bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with.
9For we know in part and we prophesy in part;
10but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with.
11When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things.
12For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known.
13But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.
Key verses
If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.
Paul reviews tongues, prophecy, knowledge, faith, and even self-sacrifice. None of these realities, even if spectacular, has value without love.
Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.
The portrait of love is made of concrete verbs and behaviors: be patient, full of kindness, not irritable, not self-seeking. It describes a way of living, not a mere feeling.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with.
Love never fails. Everything limited to this life, prophecies, tongues, knowledge, will end, while love remains.
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known.
Now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Paul promises a full knowledge of God, as God already knows us.
But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.
The conclusion of the chapter: faith, hope, and love remain, and love is the greatest of the three.
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Frequently asked questions about 1 Corinthians 13
Why does Paul say gifts are nothing without love?
Because gifts can be used for wrong motives: to gain attention, to feel superior, to control others. The gift itself is good, but it needs love. Love alone ensures the gift serves others' good, not the giver's ego.
What does it mean that love 'never fails'?
Unlike prophecies that will stop, tongues that will cease, and knowledge that is incomplete, love does not have an expiration date. Love will continue in eternity. It is the one constant reality of God's heart toward you.
What makes the characteristics of love in verses 4-7 so difficult?
Because they describe love without self-interest. Modern culture emphasizes self-care and self-protection. But Paul describes a love that is patient even when disrespected, kind even to those unkind to you, not keeping score. This goes against the grain of human nature.
How do faith, hope, and love differ?
Faith trusts God now. Hope looks forward to what God promised. Love is the active commitment to God's good and to others' good. All three are permanent virtues of the Christian life. But love encompasses both: you love God in faith, and you love others in hope.
Articles quoting 1 Corinthians 13
- Christian Wedding Congratulations Messages in Japan: 17 Examples for Friends, Colleagues, Church and Family
- 20 Bible Verses for Christian Weddings in Japan: Vows, Blessing and Invitations
- Galatians 5: Called to Be Free in Christ
- The Pastor's Heart of the Apostle Paul for the Churches
- Matthew 5: But I Say to You, Love Your Enemies
- Matthew 5: Escaping the Trap of Lust
World English Bible translation — public domain.