Tongues. Mentioned first because of the exaggerated importance which the Corinthians attached to this gift. Angels. Referring to the ecstatic utterances of those who spoke with tongues. Charity [α γ α π η ν]. Rev., love. The word does not occur in the classics, though the kindred verbs ajgapaw and... [ Continue Reading ]
All mysteries [τ α μ υ σ τ η ρ ι α π α ν τ α]. The mysteries, all of them. See on Romans 11:25. The article indicates the well - known spiritual problems which exercise men's minds. All faith [π α σ α ν τ η ν π ι σ τ ι ν]. All the special faith which works miracles.... [ Continue Reading ]
Bestow [ψ ω μ ι σ ω]. Only here and Romans 12:20. See on sop, John 13:26. The verb means to feed out in morsels, dole out. To be burned [ι ν α κ α υ θ η σ ω μ α ι]. The latest critical text reads kauchswmai in order that I may glory, after the three oldest MSS. The change to burned might have been s... [ Continue Reading ]
Suffereth long [μ α κ ρ ο θ υ μ ε ι]. See on James 5:7. Is kind [χ ρ η σ τ ε υ ε τ α ι]. Only here in the New Testament. See on crhstov, A. V., easy, Matthew 11:30, and crhstothv good, Romans 3:12. "The high charity which makes us servants Prompt to the counsel which controls the world." DANTE, "Pa... [ Continue Reading ]
Easily provoked [π α ρ ο ξ υ ν ε τ α ι]. Easily is superfluous, and gives a wrong coloring to the statement, which is absolute : is not provoked or exasperated. The verb occurs only here and Acts 17:16. The kindred noun paroxusmov, in Acts 14:39, describes the irritation which arose between Paul and... [ Continue Reading ]
Rejoiceth in the truth [σ υ γ χ α ι ρ ε ι τ η α λ η θ ε ι α]. Rev., correctly, rejoiceth with. Truth is personified as love is. Compare Psalms 85:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
Beareth [σ τ ε γ ε ι]. See on suffer, ch. 9 12. It keeps out resentment as the ship keeps out the water, or the roof the rain. Endureth [υ π ο μ ε ν ε ι]. An advance on beareth : patient acquiescence, holding its ground when it can no longer believe nor hope. "All my days are spent and gone; And y... [ Continue Reading ]
Faileth [ε κ π ι π ε ι]. Falls off [ε κ] like a leaf or flower, as James 1:11; 1 Peter 1:24. In classical Greek it was used of an actor who was hissed off the stage. But the correct reading is piptei falls, in a little more general sense, as Luke 16:17. Love holds its place.... [ Continue Reading ]
A child. See on ch. 1 Corinthians 3:1, and 1 Corinthians 2:6. I understood [ε φ ρ ο ν ο υ ν]. See on Romans 8:5. The kindred noun frenev occurs only once in the New Testament, ch. 14 20, where also it is associated with children in the sense of reflection or discrimination. Rev. renders felt; but th... [ Continue Reading ]
Through a glass [δ ι ε σ ο π τ ρ ο υ]. Rev., in a mirror. Through [δ ι α] is by means of. Others, however, explain it as referring to the illusion by which the mirrored image appears to be on the other side of the surface : others, again, think that the reference is to a window made of horn or other... [ Continue Reading ]
And now [ν υ ν ι δ ε]. Rev., but; better than and, bringing out the contrast with the transient gifts. Now is logical and not temporal. Thus, as it is. Abideth. Not merely in this life. The essential permanence of the three graces is asserted. In their nature they are eternal.... [ Continue Reading ]