1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13:1

Verse 1

Charity; true Christian love.

1 Corinthians 13:2

Verse 2

All knowledge; all religious knowledge.–So that I could remove mountains, referring, perhaps, to our Savior’s declaration. Matthew 17:20.

1 Corinthians 13:3

Verse 3

And have not charity; honest kindness of feeling. The goods might be bestowed in ostentation and parade.

1 Corinthians 13:4

Verse 4

Suffereth long; is patient and forbearing.–Vaunteth not itself; is not boastful.–Is not puffed up; with vanity and self-conceit.

1 Corinthians 13:5

Verse 5

Unseemly; in a manner deserving of reproach.–Thinketh no evil, is not jealous and suspicious.

1 Corinthians 13:6

Verse 6

Rejoiceth not in iniquity; does not take a malignant pleasure in the faults and sins of others.

1 Corinthians 13:7

Verse 7

Believeth all things; is trustful; putting always the best construction upon the motives and conduct of others.

1 Corinthians 13:8

Verse 8

Charity never faileth; it is a steady and permanent principle which shall endure forever.–It shall vanish away; that is, its importance and value, and the prominence which its possessor now derives from it, shall disappear. This must necessarily be, as is shown in the 1 Corinthians 13:9,10.

1 Corinthians 13:9

Verse 9

In part; imperfectly.

1 Corinthians 13:10

Verse 10

Shall be done away; that is, the uncertain and imperfect attainments made in this life will be superseded by clear and certain knowledge.

1 Corinthians 13:11

Verse 11

Childish things; childish ideas. The knowledge which he prized in childhood, was found of little value when he reached mature years.

1 Corinthians 13:12

Verse 12

Even as also I am known; thoroughly, perfectly; and of course all present attainments in knowledge on which men now pride themselves so much, will be superseded and become worthless.

1 Corinthians 13:13

Verse 13

And now abideth, &c.; are permanent. The idea is, that the only spiritual gifts which are of permanent and lasting value, axe those moral graces which adorn the inward character.