_Though_, &c. The apostle having observed in the last verse of the
preceding chapter, (with which this chapter is closely connected,)
that he would show them _a more excellent way_, that is, a way more
wise, holy, and useful, than that of striving to excel each other in
miraculous gifts, now proceed... [ Continue Reading ]
_Love suffereth long_ Here the apostle attributes to love the
qualities and actions of a person, in order to render his account of
that divine grace the more lively and affecting. The love of God, and
of our neighbour for God's sake, is patient toward all men. It suffers
all the weakness, ignorance,... [ Continue Reading ]
Love _rejoiceth not in iniquity_ Takes no pleasure to see an adversary
fall into an error or sin, by which his reputation should be blasted,
and his interest ruined. On the contrary, the man influenced by this
love, is truly sorry for either the sin or folly of even an enemy;
takes no pleasure in he... [ Continue Reading ]
_Love never faileth_ It accompanies us to, prepares us for, and adorns
us in eternity; nay, it is the very felicity of heaven. In these
respects it materially differs from, and has an apparent advantage
over, many of those gifts which some are so ready to emulate and
pursue, to the neglect and injur... [ Continue Reading ]
_When I was a child_, &c. The difference between our present and
future conceptions of spiritual things may be illustrated by the
knowledge of a child compared to that of a man. For in our present
state, we are mere infants in knowledge, in comparison of what we
shall be hereafter. _I spake as a chi... [ Continue Reading ]
_And now_ In the present world; _abideth_ In the hearts of holy
persons, and influencing their lives, even all their tempers, words,
and works; _faith, hope, love, these three_ The principal and radical
saving graces, of most frequent use in the Christian life, and
productive of all the others. 1st,... [ Continue Reading ]