1 Corinthians 13:3

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:3

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor. The five words, "bestow to feed the poor," represent the one Greek word psomiso, and after all do not give its force. It is derived from psomion, a mouthful, and so means "give away by mouthfuls," i.e. " dole away." It occurs in Romans 12:20 for "feed." Attention to this verse might have served as a warning against the often useless and sometimes even pernicious doles of mediaeval monasteries. Much of the "charity" of these days is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:3

Love and almsgiving. Of all the comparisons between love and other qualities, gifts, or practices, this is the one which sounds most strange to our ears. For in our minds charity and almsgiving are so closely associated that it scarcely seems possible that they should be placed in contrast one with the other. Yet so it is; and every observer of human nature and society can recognize both the insight and the foresight of the apostle in this striking, almost startling comparison. I. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:3

Love and self immolation. It would seem that Paul had some anticipation of the approaching developments of Christian society. There is no ground for believing that, at the time when he wrote, any member of the Church of Christ had suffered at the stake for fidelity to principle and to faith. Such martyrdoms had occurred in Palestine, when the enemies of Jehovah had been triumphant and had wreaked their vengeance upon the faithful Jews. And even before Paul's decease, in Rome itself,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:3

And though I bestow - The Greek word used here ψωμίσω psōmisō, from ψάω psaō, to break off) meant properly to break off, and distribute in small portions; to feed by morsels; and may be applicable here to distributing one’s property in small portions. Charity or alms to the poor, was usually distributed at one’s gate Luke 16:20, or in some public place. Of course, if property was distributed in this manner, many more would be benefitted than if all were given to one person. There would be... 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 13:3

bestow = give away in doles. Greek. psomizo. Only here and Romans 12:20 . Compare "sop", John 13:26 . goods = the things belonging ( huparcho, Luke 9:48 ) to me. give = deliver up. Greek. paradidomi. See John 19:30 . to be = in order that (Greek. hina) it may be. it profiteth, &c . = I am nothing profited. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:3

And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing.Bestow all my goods ... "The Greek word here means to feed others by giving them morsels of food,"[11] giving the meaning of giving away all the giver's property a little bit at a time so as to reach the greatest possible number.My body to be burned ... Coining as it did before the savage persecutions in which Christians were burned for their faith, this is surprising,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:3

3. bestow . . . goods . . . poor—literally, "dole out in food" all my goods; one of the highest functions of the "helps" ( :-). give . . . body to be burned—literally, "to such a degree as that I should be burned." As the three youths did ( :-), "yielded their bodies" (compare :-). These are most noble exemplifications of love in giving and in suffering. Yet they may be without love; in which case the "goods" and "body" are given, but not the soul, which is the sphere of love. Without the soul... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

The necessity of love 13:1-3In these first three verses Paul showed that love is superior to the spiritual gifts he listed in chapter 12."It is hard to escape the implication that what is involved here are two opposing views as to what it means to be ’spiritual.’ For the Corinthians it meant ’tongues, wisdom, knowledge’ (and pride), but without a commensurate concern for truly Christian behavior. For Paul it meant first of all to be full of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, which therefore meant to... read more

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