1 Corinthians 13:8

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1 Corinthians 13:8 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed.

King James Version KJV

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.

American Standard Version ASV

Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall be done away; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be done away.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Though the prophet's word may come to an end, tongues come to nothing, and knowledge have no more value, love has no end.

Free Bible Version FBV

Love never fails. Prophecies will come to an end. Tongues will become silent. Knowledge will become useless.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

Loue doeth neuer fall away, though that prophecyings be abolished, or the tongues cease, or knowledge vanish away.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

The love doth never fail; and whether [there be] prophecies, they shall become useless; whether tongues, they shall cease; whether knowledge, it shall become useless;

World English Bible WEB

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.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

Charity never faileth: but whether there are prophecies, they shall fail; whether there are languages, they shall cease; whether there is knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Charity never falleth away: whether prophecies shall be made void, or tongues shall cease, or knowledge shall be destroyed.

Translation for Translators T4T

We should never [PRS] let anything stop us from continuing to love others. As for the ability to speak messages that come directly from God, some day that will come to an end. As for the ability to speak languages [MTY] that we have not learned, that will also come to an end some day. And as for the ability to know things that God reveals to us, that will come to an end some day because it will not be necessary any more.

Plain English Version PEV

You know, I talked to you already about the special power that God gives to his people, and now I’m telling you that one day we will stop using that special power. But we can’t stop loving people. If you love somebody properly, you will always love them. But the time will come when God will not need to give us special power any more. When that time comes, God will not tell people his special messages, and God will not get people to talk in special languages, and God will not let people know special things.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Corinthians 13:8

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Corinthians 13:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

GRK η αγαπη ουδεποτε εκπιπτει ειτε δε προφητειαι καταργηθησονται ειτε γλωσσαι παυσονται ειτε γνωσις καταργηθησεται

η ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSF

αγαπη agapē G26 love Noun-NSF

ουδεποτε oudepote G3763 never Adv-N

εκπιπτει ekpiptō G1601 to fall out Verb-PAI-3S

ειτε eite G1535 whether Conj

δε de G1161 then Conj

προφητειαι prophēteia G4394 prophecy Noun-NPF

καταργηθησονται katargeō G2673 to abate Verb-FPI-3P

ειτε eite G1535 whether Conj

γλωσσαι glōssa G1100 tongue Noun-NPF

παυσονται pauō G3973 to cease Verb-FDI-3P

ειτε eite G1535 whether Conj

γνωσις gnōsis G1108 knowledge Noun-NSF

καταργηθησεται katargeō G2673 to abate Verb-FPI-3S

Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 1 Corinthians 13:8

η ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSF

The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.

Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.

αγαπη agapē G26 "love" Noun-NSF

Unconditional love or affection, like the love God shows to humanity in John 3:16. It's also used to describe love between people, like in John 13:35.

Definition: ἀγάπη, -ης, ἡ [in LXX for אַהֲבָה, which is also rendered by ἀγάπησις and φιλία ;] love, goodwill, esteem. Outside of bibl. and eccl. books, there is no clear instance (with Deiss., LAE, 18:4, 70:2, cf. the same writer in Constr. Quar., ii, 4; and with MM, VGT, see word, cf. Dr. Moulton in Exp. Times, xxvi, 3, 139). In NT, like ἀγαπάω, -ῶ, __1. Of men's love: __(a) to one another, Jhn.13:35; __(b) to God, 1Jn.2:5. __2. Of divine love; __(a) God's love: to men, Rom.5:8; to Christ, Jhn.17:26; __(b) Christ's love to men: Rom.8:35. __3. In pl., love feasts: Ju 12 (DB, iii, 157). SYN.: φιλία. ἀ., signifying properly (see: ἀγαπάω) love which chooses its object, is taken over from LXX, where its connotation is more general, into NT, and there used exclusively to express that spiritual bond of love between God and man and between man and man, in Christ, which is characteristic of Christianity. It is thusdistinct from φιλία, friendship (Jas.4:4 only), στοργή, natural affection (in NT only in compounds, see: ἄστοργος) and ἔρως, sexual love, which is not used in NT, its place being taken by ἐπιθυμία. (Cf. ἀγαπάω; and see Abbott, Essays, 70f.; DB, vol. i., 555; Cremer, 13, 593; MM, VGT, see word). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 106 NT verses. KJV: (feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love See also: 1 Corinthians 4:21; 2 Timothy 1:13; 1 Peter 4:8.

ουδεποτε oudepote G3763 "never" Adv-N

This Greek word means never, as in not even at any time. It appears in Matthew 7:23 and Acts 10:14. Jesus used it to describe those who never knew him.

Definition: οὐδέ-ποτε, adv. [in LXX: Exo.10:6 (לֹא), etc. ;] never: Mat.7:23 9:33 26:33, Mrk.2:12, Luk.15:29, Jhn.7:46, Act.10:14 11:8 14:8, 1Co.13:8, Heb.10:1, 11. Interrog., Mat.21:16, 42, Mrk.2:25 † (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 15 NT verses. KJV: neither at any time, never, nothing at any time See also: 1 Corinthians 13:8; Luke 15:29; Hebrews 10:1.

εκπιπτει ekpiptō G1601 "to fall out" Verb-PAI-3S

To fall out or away from something, like a ship driven off course. In Acts 12:7, it describes chains falling away from Peter's hands. It can also mean to lose or become inefficient, like withering flowers in James 1:11.

Definition: ἐκ-πίπτω [in LXX: Isa.40:8 28:1, 4 (הֶבֶל), Job.14:2 (מָלַל, see RV. mg), Job.15:30 (סוּר), Job.15:33 (שָׁלַךְ hi.), etc. ;] to fall out of, fall from, fall off: before ἐκ τ. χειρῶν, Act.12:7; absol., Act.27:32; of the withering of flowers (as LXX, ll with), Jas.1:11, 1Pe.1:24" (LXX) ; of navigators falling off from a straight course, Act.27:17, 26 27:29 Metaphorical, with genitive of thing(s): Gal.5:4, 2Pe.3:17; absol., fall from its place, fail, perish: Rom.9:6.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 12 NT verses. KJV: be cast, fail, fall (away, off), take none effect See also: 1 Corinthians 13:8; Acts 27:29; 1 Peter 1:24.

ειτε eite G1535 "whether" Conj

This word means 'whether' or 'if', used in conditions and questions, like in Matthew 11:14 and Romans 8:25. It helps us understand choices and possibilities in the Bible.

Definition: εἴτε, see: εἰ. εἰ, conjunctive particle, used in conditions and in indirect questions. __I. Conditional, if; __1. with indic, expressing a general assumption; __(a) pres.: before indic, pres., Mat.11:14, Rom.8:25, al.; before imperat., Mrk.4:23 9:22, Jhn.15:18, 1Co.7:9, al.; before fut. indic., Luk.16:31, Rom.8:11, al.; before pf. or aor., with negation in apodosis, Mat.12:26, Rom.4:14, al.; similarly, before impf., Luk.17:6, Jhn.8:39; before quæst., Mat.6:23, Jhn.5:47 7:23 8:46, 1Pe.2:20; __(b) fut.: Mat.26:33, 1Pe.2:20; __(with) pf.: Jhn.11:12, Rom.6:5, al.; __(d) aor.: Luk.16:11 19:8, Jhn.13:32, 18:23, Rev.20:15, al. __2. Where the assumption is certain = ἐπεί: Mat.12:28, Jhn.7:4, Rom.5:17, al. __3. Of an unfulfilled condition, with indic, impf., aor. or plpf., before ἄν, with imp. or aor. (see: ἄν, I, i). __4. C. indic., after verbs denoting wonder, etc., sometimes, but not always, coupled with an element of doubt: Mrk.15:44, 1Jn.3:13, al. __5. C. indic., as in LXX (Num.14:3o, 1Ki.14:45, al. = Heb. אִם), in oaths, with the formula of imprecation understood in a suppressed apodosis (WM, 627; Burton, §272): Mrk.8:12, Heb.3:11" (LXX) 4:3 (LXX). __6. Rarely (cl.) with optative, to express a merely possible condition: Act.24:19 27:39, 1Co.14:10 15:37, I Pe3:14, 17. __II. Interrogative, if, whether. __1. As in cl., in indir. questions after verbs of seeing, asking, knowing, saying, etc.: with indic. pres., Mat.26:63, Mrk.15:36, Act.19:2, 2Co.13:5, al.; fut., Mrk.3:2, Act.8:22, al.; aor., Mrk.15:44, 1Co.1:16, al.; with subjc. aor. (M, Pr., 194), Php.3:12. __2. As in LXX (= Heb. אִם and interrog. הֲ, Gen.17:17, al.; see WM, 639f.; Viteau, i, 22), in direct questions: Mrk.8:23 (Tr., WH, txt.), Luk.13:23, 22:49, Act.19:2, al. __III. With other particles. __1. εἰ ἄρα, εἴγε, εἰ δὲ μήγε, see: ἄρα, γε. __2. εἰ δὲ καί, but if also: Luk.11:18; but even if, 1Co.4:7, 2Co.4:3 11:16. __3. εἰ δὲ μή, but if not, but if otherwise: Mrk.2:21, 22 Jhn.14:2, Rev.2:5, al. __4. εἰ καί, if even, if also, although: Mrk.14:29, Luk.11:8, 1Co.7:21, 2Co.4:16, Php.2:17, al. __5. καὶ εἰ, even if, see: καί __6. εἰ μή, if not, unless, except, but only: Mat.24:22, Mrk.2:26 6:5, Jhn.9:33, 1Co.7:17 (only), Gal.1:19 (cf. ἐὰν μή, 2:16; see Hort., Ja., xvi); ἐκτὸς εἰ μή, pleonastic (Bl., §65, 6), 1Co.14:5 15:2, 1Ti.5:19. __7. εἰ μήν = cl. ἦ μήν (M, Pr., 46), in oaths, surely (Eze.33:27, al.): Heb.6:14. __8. εἴ πως, if haply: Act.27:12, Rom.1:10. __9. εἴτε . . . εἴτε, whether . . . or; Rom.12:6-8, 1Co.3:22 13:8, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 29 NT verses. KJV: if, or, whether See also: 1 Corinthians 3:22; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Peter 2:13.

δε de G1161 "then" Conj

This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.

Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.

προφητειαι prophēteia G4394 "prophecy" Noun-NPF

Prophecy refers to the gift of interpreting God's will and purpose, as seen in Matthew 13:14 and 2 Peter 1:20-21. It involves predicting or speaking God's message.

Definition: προφητεία, -ας, ἡ (προψητεύω) [in LXX for נְבוּאָה, חָזוֹן ;] the gift (and its exercise) of interpreting the Divine will and purpose, prophecy, prophesying: of OT prophecy, Mat.13:14, 2Pe.1:20-21; of NT prophecy, Rom.12:6, 1Co.12:10 13:2 14:6 14:22, 1Ti.4:14, Rev.11:6 22:19; pl., 1Co.13:8, 1Th.5:20, 1Ti.1:18; οἱ λόγοι τῆς π., Rev.1:3 22:7, 10 22:18; τ. πνεῦμα τῆς π., Rev.19:10 (Luc., FlJ, LXX, π.; see Deiss., BS, 235 f.; MM, xxii).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 19 NT verses. KJV: prophecy, prophesying See also: 1 Corinthians 12:10; 2 Peter 1:21; Revelation 1:3.

καταργηθησονται katargeō G2673 "to abate" Verb-FPI-3P

To make something useless or inactive, like a tree that doesn't produce fruit, as seen in Luke 13:7. It can also mean to abolish or render something invalid, as in Romans 3:3 and Galatians 3:17.

Definition: κατ-αργέω, -ῶ (κατά, causative, ἀργός = ἀ-εργός), [in LXX: 2Es.4.21; 2Es.4.23; 2Es.5.5; 2Es.6.8 (בְּטֵל)* ;] to make idle or inactive (χέρας, Eur., Phœn., 753): of soil occupied by an unfruitful tree, Luk.13:7. Metaphorical (Inscr.), to render inoperative or invalid, to abrogate, abolish: Rom.3:3, 31, 1Co.1:28 6:13 13:11 15:24, Gal.3:17, Eph.2:15, 2Th.2:8, 2Ti.1:10, Heb.2:14; pass., Rom.4:14 6:6, 1Co.2:6 13:8 13:10 15:26, 2Co.3:7 3:11-14 Gal.5:11; before ἀπό (of persons), to be separated, discharged or loosed from, Rom.7:2, 6, Gal.5:4.† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 26 NT verses. KJV: abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void See also: 1 Corinthians 1:28; 2 Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 2:14.

ειτε eite G1535 "whether" Conj

This word means 'whether' or 'if', used in conditions and questions, like in Matthew 11:14 and Romans 8:25. It helps us understand choices and possibilities in the Bible.

Usage: Occurs in 29 NT verses. KJV: if, or, whether See also: 1 Corinthians 3:22; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Peter 2:13.

γλωσσαι glōssa G1100 "tongue" Noun-NPF

The tongue refers to the organ of speech, as seen in Mark 7:33 and 35. It can also mean a language, such as in Acts 2:11. The Bible talks about the tongue as a powerful tool for communication and expression.

Definition: γλῶσσα, -ης, ἡ, [in LXX chiefly for לָשׁוֹן ;] __1. the tongue, as the organ of speech: Mrk.7:33, 35 Luk.1:64 16:24, Act.2:26" (LXX), Rom.3:13 (LXX) 14:11 (LXX), 1Co.14:9, Php.2:11, Jas.1:26 3:5, 6 8, 1Pe.3:10" (LXX), 1Jo.3:18, Rev.16:10; of a tongue-like object, Act.2:3. __2. a tongue, language: Act.2:11; joined with φυλή, λαός, ἔθνος, frequently in pl., Rev.5:9 7:9 10:11 11:9 13:7 14:6 17:15; λαλεῖν ἑτέραις γ., Act.2:4; γ. λαλεῖν καιναῖς, WH, txt. (RV, mg., omit καιναῖς), Mrk.16:17; λαλεῖν γλώσσαις, γλώσσῃ (see ICC, ll. with; DB, iv, 793ff.), Mrk.16:17, WH, txt., R, mg., Act.10:46 19:6, 1Co.12:30 13:1 14:2, 4-6, 13, 18, 23, 27, 39; γλῶσσαι (= λόγοι ἐν γλώσσῃ, 1Co.14:19), 1Co.13:8 14:22; γένη γλωσσῶν, 1Co.12:10, 28; προσεύχεσθαι γλώσσῃ, 1Co.14:14; γλῶσσαν ἔχειν, 1Co.14:26 (Cremer, 163, 679).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 47 NT verses. KJV: tongue See also: 1 Corinthians 12:10; Acts 2:11; 1 Peter 3:10.

παυσονται pauō G3973 "to cease" Verb-FDI-3P

To cease means to stop or quit something, as seen in Luke 8:24 and 1 Corinthians 13:8. This verb can be used to describe the end of an action or a habit.

Definition: παύω [in LXX for כָּלָה pi., etc. ;] to make to cease, restrain, hinder: with accusative of thing(s), before ἀπό 1Pe.3:10 (LXX). Mid., to cease, leave off: Luk.8:24 11:1, Act.20:1, 1Co.13:8; with ptcp., Luk.5:4, Act.5:42 6:13 13:10 20:31 21:32, Eph.1:16, Col.1:9, Heb.10:2; with genitive, ἀμαρτίας, 1Pe.4:1 (WH, mg., R, txt.); with dative, ib. (WH, txt., R, mg.).† (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 15 NT verses. KJV: cease, leave, refrain See also: 1 Corinthians 13:8; Acts 20:31; 1 Peter 3:10.

ειτε eite G1535 "whether" Conj

This word means 'whether' or 'if', used in conditions and questions, like in Matthew 11:14 and Romans 8:25. It helps us understand choices and possibilities in the Bible.

Usage: Occurs in 29 NT verses. KJV: if, or, whether See also: 1 Corinthians 3:22; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 Peter 2:13.

γνωσις gnōsis G1108 "knowledge" Noun-NSF

Knowledge or understanding is what this word represents, especially of spiritual truth, as in 1 Corinthians 1:5. It's about having insight or awareness, like in Luke 11:52.

Definition: γνῶσις, -εως, ἡ (γιγνώσκω), [in LXX chiefly for דַּעַת ;] __1. a seeking to know, inquiry, investigation. __2. knowledge, in NT, specially of the kn. of spiritual truth: absol., Luk.11:52, Rom.2:20 15:14, 1Co.1:5 (Lft., Notes, 147) 8:1, 7, 10, 11, 13:2, 8 14:6, 2Co.6:6 8:7 11:6, Eph.3:19, Col.2:3, 1Pe.3:7, 2Pe.1:5, 6; with genitive obj., σωτηρίας, Luk.1:77; τ. δόξης τ. θεοῦ, 2Co.4:6; τ. θεοῦ, 2Co.2:14 10:5; Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ, Php.3:8 (see Deiss., LAE, 383.8), 2Pe.3:18; with genitive subjc., θεοῦ, Rom.11:33; λόγος γνώσεως, 1Co.12:8; ψευδωνύμου γνώσεως, 1Ti.6:20.† SYN.: σοφία, φρόνησις (cf. ἐπί-γνωσις and see Lft. on Col.2:3; Cremer, 156). (AS)

Usage: Occurs in 28 NT verses. KJV: knowledge, science See also: 1 Corinthians 1:5; 2 Corinthians 8:7; 1 Peter 3:7.

καταργηθησεται katargeō G2673 "to abate" Verb-FPI-3S

To make something useless or inactive, like a tree that doesn't produce fruit, as seen in Luke 13:7. It can also mean to abolish or render something invalid, as in Romans 3:3 and Galatians 3:17.

Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 13:8

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Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:8
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Sermons on 1 Corinthians 13:8

Context — Love

6Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. 7It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed.

9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when the perfect comes, the partial passes away.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	1 Corinthians 13:13	And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.
2	1 Corinthians 13:1–2	If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3	Galatians 5:6	For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. All that matters is faith, expressed through love.
4	Acts 2:4	And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5	1 Corinthians 13:10	but when the perfect comes, the partial passes away.
6	1 Corinthians 12:10	to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
7	Hebrews 8:13	By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.
8	Acts 19:6	And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
9	1 Corinthians 12:28–30	And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
10	Luke 22:32	But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

1 Corinthians 13:8 Summary

This verse is saying that love is the one thing that will always be there for us, no matter what. It's like a rock that we can stand on, and it will never fail us. This is because love is a key part of God's nature, as seen in 1 John 4:8, and it's something that He wants us to have for each other, as seen in John 13:34-35. As we try to live out our faith and use the gifts that God has given us, we need to remember that love is the most important thing, and it's what will ultimately last.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean that love never fails?

This means that love is always reliable and will endure even when other things fail, as seen in 1 Corinthians 13:8, and is a key characteristic of God's nature, as described in Jeremiah 31:3 and 1 John 4:8.

Will prophecies and tongues really cease to exist?

According to 1 Corinthians 13:8, yes, these gifts will cease or be restrained when the perfect comes, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:10, and this is likely referring to the completion of God's revelation in Jesus Christ and the completion of the Bible, as seen in Jude 1:3.

What is the relationship between love and knowledge?

In 1 Corinthians 13:8, knowledge is mentioned as something that will be dismissed, implying that while knowledge is important, it is secondary to love, which is a key theme in 1 Corinthians 13 and is also seen in Ephesians 4:15 and Colossians 2:2-3.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?

This verse is part of a larger discussion on the importance of love, as seen in 1 Corinthians 13:1-7, and serves as a transition to the idea that our current understanding and gifts are partial and will pass away when the perfect comes, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:9-10.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I have seen love 'never fail' in my own life or in the lives of others?
How do I prioritize love in my relationships and interactions with others, and are there areas where I need to improve?
What are some gifts or abilities that I have been given, and how can I use them in a way that is guided by love and not just my own desires or ambitions?
In what ways can I demonstrate the kind of enduring, unwavering love that is described in 1 Corinthians 13:8, and what would be the impact on those around me?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 13:8

Charity never faileth,.... It may fail as to the exercise of it, as other graces do; it may be left, but not lost; the fervour of it may be remitted and abated; it may wax cold through the prevalence

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 13:8

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.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:8

The apostle, from another argument, commendeth the grace of love, viz. its never failing; it shall go with us into another world, and have its use and exercise there, where there will be no prophesying, no speaking with divers tongues, but there the saints shall love God. And this maketh it evident, that by charity, or love, (before mentioned), the apostle doth not singly mean bounty or beneficence to those that stand in need of those good things of this life, in which we can help them. Whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away: by knowledge, here, some understand the communicating of knowledge to the church by preaching: others, the means we now have by meditating in and study of the Scriptures: others, better, of the imperfect degrees of our knowledge, or the way of our procuring it: the following verses would incline us to interpret it of the former, though it be true also of the latter.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:8

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. Ver. 8. Prophecies, they shall fail] The archprophet shall teach us immediately, as he had done Moses and Elias, who appearing to Christ in the transfiguration, knew and could say far more to our Saviour for his comfort and confirmation against the bitterness of his death than ever they could while here living upon earth, Luke 9:31. Whether there be knowledge] Gotten by study, and communicated to others. For Lilmod lelamreed, say the rabbins, we therefore learn that we may teach.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:8

(8) Charity never faileth.—From the positive and negative qualities of love described and enumerated in the preceding passage, the Apostle now turns to contrast the imperishable character of love and other graces with the ephemeral nature of gifts. The Corinthians held an exaggerated estimate of the value of gifts such as tongues and prophecy, and under-valued the graces of faith and love. Now the Apostle shows that they were thereby preferring the things which are for a time to the graces which are for ever. One faction, indeed, exalted to the highest place a gift—that of tongues—which was the most ephemeral of all Christian gifts. On the “tongues,” see Note on 1 Corinthians 14:2. “Prophecies,” in the plural, intimates the varied gradations of power possessed by the preachers, in some cases including that deep spiritual insight into the realities of the present which enabled the preacher to foretell distant events.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:8

Verse 8. (16.) Charity never faileth] Ἡαγαπηουδεποτεεκπιπτει· This love never falleth off, because it bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things; and while it does so it cannot fail; it is the means of preserving all other graces; indeed, properly speaking, it includes them all; and all receive their perfection from it. Love to God and man can never be dispensed with. It is essential to social and religious life; without it no communion can be kept up with God; nor can any man have a preparation for eternal glory whose heart and soul are not deeply imbued with it. Without it there never was true religion, nor ever can be; and it not only is necessary through life, but will exist throughout eternity. What were a state of blessedness if it did not comprehend love to God and human spirits in the most exquisite, refined, and perfect degrees? Prophecies - shall fail] Whether the word imply predicting future events, or teaching the truths of religion to men, all such shall soon be rendered useless. Though the accurate prophet and the eloquent, persuasive preacher be useful in their day, they shall not be always so; nor shall their gifts fit them for glory; nothing short of the love above described can fit a soul for the kingdom of God. Tongues - shall cease] The miraculous gift of different languages, that soon shall cease, as being unnecessary. Knowledge - shall vanish away.] All human arts and sciences, as being utterly useless in the eternal world, though so highly extolled and useful here.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 13:8

8. Charity never faileth] The Vulgate and some MSS. read falleth. Tyndale renders, falleth never awaye. In the Septuagint (as in Job 15:33, and Isaiah 28:1; Isaiah 28:4) the word is used of a fading flower. In Romans 9:6, it is applied to the Word of God.whether there be prophecies, they shall fail] Another word is here used in the original for the word translated fail. It should rather be rendered be brought to an end, literally be worked out. It is translated brought to nought in ch. 1 Corinthians 1:28, while in 1 Corinthians 13:10 it is rendered done away, in 1 Corinthians 13:11 put away, and in the latter part of this very verse vanish away. The utterances of the inspired man (see ch. 1 Corinthians 14:1) are, we are here told, no longer of any value to us when we are face to face with the facts of which he was wont to speak.tongues] Either (1) speaking with tongues, which as a sign (see ch. 1 Corinthians 14:22) will be unnecessary when we are confronted with the reality and need no more signs and wonders to compel our attention to it Or (2) divers languages, which shall cease when the curse of Babel is removed in the ‘holy city, New Jerusalem’ which shall come down from heaven, and in which all things shall be made new.whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away]. Rather, be brought to an end. See last note but one. Knowledge (see note on ch. 1 Corinthians 12:8) as the result of a process, the outcome of observation, argument, balancing of probabilities—for all these form part of our earthly knowledge—is but partial and incomplete (see next verse), and vanishes in a moment before the actual presence of what is. Wisdom, says Estius, will not in like manner vanish, because its perfection consists in the vision of God.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 13:8

Charity never faileth - Paul here proceeds to illustrate the value of love, from its “permanency” as compared with other valued endowments.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 13:8

c. The transiency of all charisms contrasted with the permanency and supremacy of Love, 1 Corinthians 13:8-13.8. Never faileth—From divine love in its daily life, Paul now springs at once into its transcendent and eternal nature.

Sermons on 1 Corinthians 13:8

	Sermon	Description
	A Certain Sound by Manley Beasley	In this sermon, the speaker begins by asking for prayers for the upcoming multimedia presentation in Europe. He then reads a passage from the Bible and discusses the importance of
	Attack of the Devil - Part 4 by Joshua Daniel	This sermon emphasizes the importance of overcoming defeatism and having faith in God's power to conquer challenges. It contrasts the defeatist attitude of the majority with the fa
	The Gift of Tongues by William MacDonald	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the purpose of signs, wonders, miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit in confirming the gospel message. He refers to Hebrews chapter 2, emphas
	Turn to God by Basilea Schlink	In this sermon transcript titled "Turn to God," Basil E. Shlink addresses the widespread apostasy and departure from God in today's world. He highlights the increasing evil powers
	With All Our Heart by Basilea Schlink	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of loving God with all our heart and strength. He shares a story of a man who served God faithfully and upon entering eternity
	Ministry in the Spirit - 5. the Gift of Tongues and Prayer Language by Michael Flowers	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of exercising spiritual gifts in the context of the corporate gathering. They emphasize the need for order and understanding in
	Restoration Series #3 - Love Never Fails by James Robison	In this sermon, James Robinson shares a personal experience of how God brought him and his wife into undistracted love. He talks about how his wife used to struggle with feelings o