1 Corinthians 13:13

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

The permanence of love 13:8-13Paul moved on to point out that Christian love (agape) characterizes our existence now and forever, but gifts (charismata) are only for the present. The Corinthians were apparently viewing the gifts as one evidence that they were already in the eschatological stage of their salvation. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 13:13

"Now" resumes Paul’s original thought about the supremacy of love. It does not carry on the contrast between what is now and what will be later. In contrast to what will pass away-namely, knowledge, tongues, and prophecy-faith, hope, and love will endure (cf. Romans 5:1-5; Galatians 5:5-6; Ephesians 4:2-5; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 5:8; Hebrews 6:10-12; Hebrews 10:22-24; 1 Peter 1:3-8; 1 Peter 1:21-22). Faith here is not the gift of faith (1 Corinthians 13:2; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:9)... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

(e) Spiritual Gifts(ii) The most excellent Gift of CharityIn this chapter we enter into the purest atmosphere and breathe the most fragrant odours. Passing from the previous chapters with their tale of faction and scandal and shame to this passage with its description of Christian love is like passing from the enchanted ground of the ’Pilgrim’s Progress’ to the land of Beulah within sight of the Celestial Gate.The Revised Version reads ’love’ for charity throughout the chapter The Gk. word is... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Corinthians 13:13

(13) And now abideth . . .—Better, Thus there abide . . . The “now” is not here temporal, but logical. It is not “now” (i.e., this present life) contrasted with the future, but it is the conclusion of the whole argument. From all that has been urged in the previous verses it follows that these three graces—faith, hope, love—remain imperishable and immortal. Gifts such as the Corinthian Church rejoiced in shall pass away when the perfect succeeds the imperfect; the graces of faith, hope, love... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

1 Corinthians 13:0 The paean of love chanted at Ephesus under Nero for the poor saints of Corinth, has not perished with Corinth. Annihilated for ever, the magnificence of Nero's Corinth lies buried today beneath silent rubbish-mounds and green vineyards on the terraces between the mass of the Acrocorinthus and the shore of the gulf; nothing but ruins, ghastly remnants, destruction. The words of the paean, however, have outlasted the marble and the bronzes of the Empire, because they had an... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:4-13

Chapter 19NO GIFT LIKE LOVETHIS is one of the passages of Scripture which an expositor scruples to touch. Some of the bloom and delicacy of surface passes from the flower in the very handling which is meant to exhibit its fineness of texture. But although this eulogium of love is its own best interpreter, there are points in it which require both explanation and enforcement.In the preceding chapter (12) Paul has striven to suppress the envy, vanity, and discord which had resulted from the abuse... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

3. The Need and Superiority of Love. CHAPTER 13 1. The Preeminence of Love. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3 .) 2. Love described in its characteristics. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 .) 3. Love never faileth; its Permanence. (1 Corinthians 13:8-13 .) This chapter is a most blessed exaltation of love. The word “charity” is an unfortunate mistranslation. The Greek word for love used in the New Testament was never used by the Greek heathen classical writers. In its meaning it was unknown among the Gentiles.... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:13

13:13 {7} And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.(7) The conclusion: as if the apostle should say, "Such therefore will be our condition then: but now we have three things, and they remain sure if we are Christ’s, without which, true religion cannot consist, that is, faith, hope, and charity. And among these, charity is the chiefest because it ceases not in the life to come as the rest do, but is perfected and accomplished. For seeing that... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Verses 1 Timothy 3:0 of this chapter show the necessity of love; verses 4 to 7 the characteristics of love; and verses 8 to 13 its permanence. And in the first section, verse I deals with what I speak; verse 2 with what I have; and verse 3 with what I do. Though spoken in most sublime language, "tongues of men or of angels," my words are merely as a brass sounding instrument or a clanging cymbal, if love is not present. The warmth and reality of a proper personal element is lacking: this... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

SPIRITUAL GIFTS The theme of this lesson is closely related to the preceding, for the church disorders included not only unbecoming conduct of the women in the public assembly, and an unworthy observance of the Lord’s supper, but an unholy emulation in the matter of spiritual gifts. After a brief introduction (1 Corinthians 12:1-3 ), the apostle discusses the origin of these gifts as not natural to the believer, but the special bestowment of God. God the Father is the worker of them, God the... read more

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