1 Corinthians 13:1
TONGUES] the gift the Corinthians most valued. HAVE NOT CHARITY] do not use the gift in a spirit of love. SOUNDING BRASS] i.e. merely so much noise.... [ Continue Reading ]
TONGUES] the gift the Corinthians most valued. HAVE NOT CHARITY] do not use the gift in a spirit of love. SOUNDING BRASS] i.e. merely so much noise.... [ Continue Reading ]
_(e) Spiritual Gifts (ii) The most excellent Gift of Charity_ In this chapter we enter into the purest atmosphere and breathe the most fragrant odours. Passing from the previous Chapter s with their tale of faction and scandal and shame to this passage with its description of Christian love is like... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL FAITH] see on 1 Corinthians 12:9. REMOVE MOUNTAINS] Matthew 17:20; Matthew 21:21. St. Paul may have our Lord's words in mind; but it was a proverbial expression.... [ Continue Reading ]
These actions would seem works of love, but may spring merely from ostentation or vainglory. GIVE MY BODY] A still greater instance of self-devotion. TO BE BURNED] Some MSS have, 'give my body that I may boast,' in self-approval.... [ Continue Reading ]
The character and actions of Love. 4. Vaunteth not itself] does not make a display. PUFFED UP] i.e. conceited.... [ Continue Reading ]
SEEKETH NOT HER OWN] i.e. her own advantage (1 Corinthians 10:24; 1 Corinthians 10:33). THINKETH NO EVIL] RV 'taketh not account of evil'; does not reckon up her grievances.... [ Continue Reading ]
REJOICETH NOT IN INIQUITY] i.e. in hearing or telling of others' faults or follies. In (RV 'with') THE TRUTH] i.e. in the spread and victory of truth and right.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEARETH] without breaking down. BELIEVETH ALL THINGS] is not suspicious; puts the best construction on things. ENDURETH] without giving up.... [ Continue Reading ]
LOVE IS ETERNAL. Other gifts, knowledge, prophecy, tongues serve but a temporary purpose. 'They are only means towards an end. Love remains the completion and perfection of our human being' (F. W. Robertson).... [ Continue Reading ]
IN PART] partially, imperfectly.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN I WAS A CHILD] an illustration of 1 Corinthians 13:10. UNDERSTOOD] RV 'felt.'... [ Continue Reading ]
THROUGH A GLASS] RV 'in a mirror,' seeing only a reflection, not the actual reality. Ancient mirrors were of metal (cp. Exodus 38:8), often reflecting imperfectly. DARKLY] lit. 'in a riddle,' taught by hints and metaphors. Our knowledge of divine things is necessarily imperfect; much is not reveale... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW ABIDETH] Probably meaning not 'these three exist now, but finally love alone will remain'; but, 'the fact is that these three alone are eternal.' FAITH (confidence in God) will continue in the next life: so will HOPE (expectation of future good); for that life will be one of progress not stagnat... [ Continue Reading ]