1 Corinthians 13

Ver. 1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels.] Though I could speak the languages of all nations, or knew how to converse with angels. Dr. Whitby.

As if he had said, You may beg of God that he would confer upon you those gifts which are most useful: for to serve Him in this manner is an honourable employment, and to desire it is a laudable ambition: but remember, that there is a grace of more value in the sight of God, and more beneficial to men; more glorious therefore, and more desirable than all these extraordinary gifts, than all abilities of the mind; and that is, charity. Hence we may learn not to regret the withdrawing of those gifts, nor to think ourselves on that account less regarded of God, in these latter ages. If any one amongst us hath charity in its due extent, he will surpass some of the earliest Christians who seem to have been deficient in this most excellent virtue. We are apt to think highly of them because of the miraculous powers which they possessed: but a judicious examiner will judge that nothing is more to be admired in the primitive Christians, than the charity, the zeal, the patience, and the perseverance which so eminently appeared in so many of them. Dr. Jortin.

— charity.] Charity, properly so called, is that affection of the mind, whereby we love God for his own sake, and our neighbour for God’s sake. This is the principle, which distinguishes it from such a love, as either the tenderness of nature, or nearness of blood, or friendship and acquaintance, or convenience and interest, are apt to dispose us to. And how essential this principle is, the Apostle here informs us, when he supposes that a man may “give” even “all his goods to feed the poor,” without any true Christian love to his brethren; and his “body to be burned,” without any true love of God. Hence it follows, that the grace, here so highly recommended, consists, not in any outward acts, but in the inward disposition of the heart: and that those acts are no farther of any value, than as they proceed from, and are sanctified by, this disposition. Dean Stanhope.

Charity, in common speech at present, almost constantly signifies, either judging favourably of the actions and intentions of others, or relieving their distresses:

whereas, in the New Testament, it never signifies these particularly, and scarce ever any single virtue, but that general benevolence of disposition, which prompts us on all occasions to mild thoughts, and beneficent deeds; and on which, wrought in us by the grace of our Redeemer, depends their true worth and acceptance with God. The seeds of this inward principle of universal kind affection, are sown in that constitutional goodness of nature, of which, notwithstanding our lamentable degeneracy by the fall, every man hath some remaining degree; the larger the happier, if we manage it with due care. Abp. Secker. See the second note from Bp. Sherlock on 1 Pet. iv. 8.

— as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.] Which fills the ear to little purpose. Bp. Hall.

— even as also I am known.] That is, fully, according to the capacity of a finite creature, and clearly. Bp. Hall.

Divine truths are at present seen by us but obscurely and imperfectly. Our knowledge of God, of His nature and properties, of the scheme of His providence and the method of His government, is short and incomplete. But in heaven we shall not be less wise than happy; we shall then know many things which are now in a great measure hidden from us; we shall know them as we ourselves are known of God, that is, clearly and perfectly. Dr. Jortin.

Ver. 1. Follow after charity, &c.] Follow then principally after charity, but yet also desire other spiritual gifts: but of all the rest let it be your chief desire, that ye may be enabled by the Spirit of God to teach and declare those things, which may be to the edification of the church. Bp. Hall. To “prophecy” signifies to declare truths through the inspiration of God’s Holy Spirit, whether by prediction or not. The word “prophet” has the like double signification. It is used, ver. 29, 32, 37. Parkhurst.

1 Corinthians 13:2

2. — I am nothing.] That is, nothing worth in the sight of God. Burkitt, Dr. Whitby.

3. — in an unknown tongue] In a foreign or strange language. Parkhurst.

— speaketh not unto men, but unto God: ] That is, to the understanding of none but God. Dr. Hammond.

— howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.] Although perhaps in his own sense and understanding he speaks of deep and high matters, and such as might be well worthy to be understood by others. Bp. Hall.

1 Corinthians 13:3

3. — though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor.] Alms, being but one branch of love or charity, without the rest mentioned below, profits us not. We may give plentiful alms out of vainglory, not charity. We may do good to some poor, and oppress others. We may do good to all the poor; and yet be full of envy, debate, detraction, pride, against others. For there are many things that are matter of contention, besides wealth; and much almsgiving is done without charity. Bp. Fell.

Still, relieving the bodily wants of our fellow-creatures is both by our Saviour and by His Apostles represented as a considerable part of charity; and such it plainly is, as not only the spirit of Christianity, but the social nature and inclinations of man, the unequal distribution of things, the uncertainty of worldly possessions, and the public welfare evidently prove. Dr. Jortin.

— give my body to be burned.] Or become a martyr for my religion. Pyle.

— it profiteth me nothing.] It is not necessary to suppose, that St. Paul here puts a case which ever yet happened; that any Christian ever had so many supernatural gifts, so much faith, so much liberality, so much religious knowledge, and such a persevering zeal, as to die for the Gospel; and yet was void of charity. But it is no uncommon thing to make extraordinary or even impossible suppositions or conceptions, with a view to strengthen the argument: as when it is said by our Saviour, “If a man should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul,” he would make but a bad exchange. St. Paul hath an impetuous kind of eloquence, be is vehement and lively in his style, and expresses himself with warmth and energy. His meaning in the passage before us, and the doctrine delivered by him, is plain enough. It is this: if a man have not charity, whatsoever he may do that appears great and commendable, and whatsoever gifts of the Holy Spirit he may possess, he cannot deserve the name of a good man. Thus St. Paul, in few words, but those the most striking and expressive that could be chosen, declares the necessity of performing this great duty. Dr. Jortin.

The praises of charity. Anno DOMINI 20. rank.

1 Corinthians 13:4

4—7. Charity suffereth long, &c.] St. Paul having hinted in the foregoing verse, that the connexion between those outward instances, which appear to be most perfect in their kind, and that grace which they so nearly resemble, is not so close and necessary as will warrant us from the former certainly to infer the latter, here proceeds to assign some characters, which may prevent any dangerous mistakes in judging of this matter. So that where these are found, we may be confident the face of religion, which such behaviour carries, is genuine; and where these are not, how specious severe the appearance may be, we may assure ourselves it is but counterfeit. This is the use to be made of the properties specified in these four verses; not so much for the judging of other people and the state of their souls, as for the prevention of any false confidences, and setting us right in the notions of our own. Dean Stanhope.

1 Corinthians 13:5

5.—seeketh not her own.] That is, her own praise, profit, or pleasure, to the hurt of others, but inclines men to seek the good of others, 1 Cor. x. 24. Dr. Whitby. Is not self-interested. Dr. Wells.

—thinketh no evil.] Either meditates no mischief to others, or suspects no ill of them. Dean Stanhope.

5. — greater is he that prophesieth] That is, more beneficial. Dr. Whitby.

— except he interpret,] Unless he afterwards tell them in plain words what he meant. Dr. Hammond.

1 Corinthians 13:6

6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, &c.] That the word rendered “iniquity” signifies falsehood, appears from “the truth” to which it is opposed. Now “falsehood” and a “lye,” both in the Old and in the New Testament, often signify a false religion, or a religion containing a false object of worship. See Hab. ii. 18; Iasi. xlv. 20; Jer. xxiii. 14; Rom. i. 25; 2 Thess. ii. 10, 11. And “the truth” in the New Testament, is emphatically put to signify the Gospel, or the Christian faith. See 2 John ver. 3, 4; 3 John ver. 3, 4. So that the import of these words may be, Charity will not permit us to rejoice, but rather cause us to be troubled, to find men still continue in their false worship, as the Gentiles, or in opposition to the Gospel delivered to them, as the Jews do; but it rejoiceth to see men walking according to the truth of the Gospel. Dr. Whitby. Or the sense may be, Charity rejoices with others when they do well; and, when any thing is amiss, is troubled. Locke.

7. — except I shall speak to you] That is, in a language with which you are acquainted? Else all is absolutely lost, whatever my message may be, whether I speak by the “revelation” of some Gospel-doctrine and mystery; or by “knowledge” in the explication of some controverted text in the Old Testament; or by “prophecy” in the prediction of some future event; or by “doctrine” for the regulation of life and manners. It is not certain how far different ideas are to be affixed to each of these four words; or, supposing that to be the case, how far these are the appropriate ideas intended by each. Dr. Doddridge.

Anno DOMINI 20.

1 Corinthians 13:7

7. Beareth all things.] As this is the meaning of the phrase “endureth all things,” at the end of the verse, the former may be better rendered “covereth,” or “concealeth all things,” that is, all the ill of another, unless when it is greater charity to reveal it: so Prov. x. 12, “Love covereth all sins.” The sentence then goes on, “believeth all things,” that is, all things, that are said for the excuse or mitigation of a fault; and when nothing is said in defence or excuse, yet “hopeth” the best that the matter is capable of. Dr. Hammond.

—endureth all things.] By “all things,” in this as well as in the former instances, are meant, not simply

all, but all such as are agreeable to the measures and end of charity. For there are times and circumstances, which render the covering or the suffering of men’s faults an injury to themselves, or to others, or to both. And therefore these are terms to be restrained according to the exigencies of the case; and so to be applied to the benefit of the party concerned, as not to interfere with his own greater good, or with the good of the publick. Dean Stanhope.

1 Corinthians 13:8

8. Charity never faileth.] It was the design of the Apostle to show how justly he gave the superiority to this virtue, when he declared it “more excellent” than all those boasted gifts of the Spirit, which the Corinthians were tempted to covet so much rather. To this purpose he proceeds to observe the perpetual use and necessity of charity, whereas the rest were bestowed only upon certain occasions and emergencies: and the continuance and use of this, even in our future and perfect state, whereas all else were only helps and reliefs to our present imperfections. Dean Stanhope.

1 Corinthians 13:9

9, 10. For we know in part, &c.] For the utmost we know, even when enlightened by these extraordinary gifts of prophecy, &c. is very imperfect and short of that which we shall know hereafter. And therefore when that imperfection, and those occasions, to which such assistance of the Spirit are vouchsafed, shall be at an end, there shall be an end of them too. So that they are plainly temporary, and never meant, as charity is, to continue always. Dean Stanhope.

1 Corinthians 13:11

11. When I was a child, I spake as a child, &c.] That is, whilst we are children, our thoughts are low and trifling, our manner of expressing them suitable to such thoughts, our reasoning weak and inconclusive; but as we advance in years, we advance in understanding. Such, and far greater, is the difference between our knowledge here in this life, and that which we shall attain hereafter. This is our state of childhood, and we now reason of Divine things imperfectly, and suitably to our obscure apprehensions of them; but in the next world all the difficulties will vanish, and these things will be clear to us. Dr. Jortin.

—I put away childish things.] And the like difference will there be between our present and our future state. Dr. Wells.

1 Corinthians 13:12

12.—through a glass.] The original word probably signifies any of those transparent substances which the ancients used in their windows, such as thin plates of horn, transparent stone, and the like, through which they saw external objects obscurely. The “glass” may be used as a generick name for such substances. Bp. Pearce, Dr. Macnaught.

—but then face to face.] Then we shall see with the greatest clearness and perspicuity, which now we cannot. Dr. Whitby.

Prophecy is commended and preferred I. CORINTHIANS. before speaking with tongues.

Anno DOMINI 20. now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

1 Corinthians 13:13

13. And now abideth faith, hope, charity.] All great and excellent virtues, and superiour to the spiritual gifts, which you so highly value: but “the greatest of these is charity,” both for duration, as continuing when faith shall end in vision, 2 Cor. v. 7, and hope in enjoyment, Rom. viii. 23, 24; and for perfection, as rendering us more like to God, and more beneficial to man. Dr. Whitby.

Whatever degree of religion any persons may pretend to, unless they have this grace of charity, so highly commended by the Apostle, it shall profit them nothing. For nothing we are, if we have not charity; and charity we have not, if we have not these apostolical marks to shew for it. The most specious professions, the most austere practices, of religion, will not avail, when destitute of this comprehensive grace, this indispensable condition of salvation. Wisely therefore doth our Church instruct us to pray to God, and zealously ought we to pray, and never to leave off praying, till our petition be granted, that He “would send His Holy Ghost, and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of charity, the very bond of peace and of all virtues,” lest living “without this,” we be at last “counted dead before Him.” Hear us, O Lord, and, whatever Thou deniest us, deny us not this one thing so necessary for us, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen. Dean Stanhope.

Chap. XIV. The Apostle continues his advice to the gifted persons in the Corinthian church, particularly with respect to their inspired performances in the publick assemblies of Divine worship. Pyle. He tells them, that of all spiritual gifts, that of prophecy, that is to say, the gift of teaching, exhorting, and explaining

standeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.