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Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:2

Love and knowledge. Different gifts have attractions for different minds. To the Corinthians the charisms of language seem to have had an especial charm and value. It might be supposed that those possessions here mentioned—prophecy, unravelling of mysteries, and knowledge, especially of spiritual things—would have a deeper interest for such a one as Paul. And that he did prize these is not to be questioned. Yet such was his appreciation of love, that in this eulogium of it he sets it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:2

Love and faith. St. Paul was so emphatically the apostle of faith, that it is hard to believe that he wrote anything approaching to disparagement of that great and efficacious virtue. If he devoted a great part of his chief Epistle—that to the Romans—to an exhibition of the power of faith, it is not likely that here or anywhere he should write one word which could cast faith into the shade. And, in fact, the reference of the apostle in this passage is not to faith in Christ as a Saviour,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:2-3

Man worth. "Though I have the gift of prophecy," etc. 1. The greatest thing in the universe is mind. All material systems would lack completeness and meaning were there no mind to observe, study, and worship the great Invisible. 2. The greatest thing in mind is love . Here the apostle teaches that whatever a human intelligence may be, if it is destitute of love it is nothing. What is this love without which humanity is nothing? It is not the gregarious sentiment which links... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:2

And though I have the gift of prophecy - See the note at 1 Corinthians 12:10; note at 1 Corinthians 14:1.And understand all mysteries - On the meaning of the word “mystery” see note, 1 Corinthians 2:7. This passage proves that it was one part of the prophetic office, as referred to here, to be able to understand and explain the “mysteries” of religion; that is, the things that were before unknown, or unrevealed. It does not refer to the prediction of future events, but to the great and deep... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

1 Corinthians 13:1-3. 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 proceeds to do this, directing them to pursue the divine grace of love to God and man, as of the highest excellence, and of absolute necessity. Though I speak with the tongues... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Love is greater than the gifts (13:1-13)The Corinthians were impressed with people who exercised the more spectacular gifts. Paul reminds them that no matter what gifts they have - tongues, prophecy, wisdom, knowledge, faith - if they lack love they are not merely unimportant, they are nothing (13:1-2). People may be so generous with their goods and money that in the end they themselves become poor. They may be so faithful to their duty that they sacrifice their lives. But without love they... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Corinthians 13:2

understand = know. App-132 . mysteries . App-193 . knowledge . App-132 . faith . App-150 . remove . Greek. methistemi. See Acts 13:22 . nothing . Greek. oudeis. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:2

And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.Prophecy ... knowledge ... faith so as to move mountains ... These are to be added to "tongues" mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:1, all of them being miraculous gifts which had caused so much trouble at Corinth.All faith ... Although this refers to a miraculous gift, faith is never to be viewed as appearing in various varieties, being of... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:2

1 Corinthians 13:2. All mysteries, and all knowledge— Any predictions relating to our Saviour or his doctrine, or the times of the Gospel contained in the Old Testament, in types, or figurative and obscure expressions, not understood before his coming, and being then revealed to the world, St. Paul calls mysteries, says Mr. Locke, as may be seen all through his writings; so that mystery and knowledge are terms here used to signify truths concerning Christ to come, contained in the Old... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:2

2. mysteries— (Romans 11:25; Romans 16:25). Mysteries refer to the deep counsels of God hitherto secret, but now revealed to His saints. Knowledge, to truths long known. faith . . . remove mountains— (Matthew 17:20; Matthew 21:21). The practical power of the will elevated by faith [NEANDER]; confidence in God that the miraculous result will surely follow the exercise of the will at the secret impulse of His Spirit. Without "love" prophecy, knowledge, and faith, are not what they seem (compare 1... read more

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