1 Corinthians 13:2 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Here the apostle shows what more excellent way he meant, or had in view, in the close of the former chapter, namely, charity, or, as it is commonly elsewhere rendered, love?agape: not what is meant by charity in our common use of the word, which most men understand of alms-giving, but love in its fullest and most extensive meaning, true love to God and man, a benevolent disposition of mind towards our fellow-christians, growing out of sincere and fervent devotion to God. This living principle... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

13 I may speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but if I have not love, I am become no better than echoing brass or a clanging cymbal. I may have the gift of prophecy, I may understand all sacred secrets and all knowledge, I may have faith enough to remove mountains, but if I have not love I am nothing. I may dole out all that I have, I may surrender my body that I may be burned, but if I have not love it is no good to me. Love is patient; love is kind; love knows no envy; love... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:2

And though I have the gift of prophecy ,.... Either of foretelling future events, as Balaam, who foretold many things concerning the Messiah and the people of Israel, and yet had no true love for either; and Caiaphas, who was high priest the year Christ suffered, and prophesied of his death, and was himself concerned in it, being a bitter enemy to him; or of explaining the prophecies of the Old Testament, by virtue of an extraordinary gift which some persons had; or of the ordinary preaching... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:2

And though I have the gift of prophecy - Though I should have received from God the knowledge of future events, so that I could correctly foretell what is coming to pass in the world and in the Church: - And understand all mysteries - The meaning of all the types and figures in the Old Testament, and all the unexplored secrets of nature; and all knowledge - every human art and science; and though I have all faith - such miraculous faith as would enable me even to remove mountains; or had... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:2

Verse 2 2.And if I should have the gift of prophecy. He brings down to nothing the dignity of even this endowment, (777) which, nevertheless, he had preferred to all others. To know all mysteries, might seem to be added to the term prophecy, by way of explanation, but as the term knowledge is immediately added, of which he had previously made mention by itself, (1 Corinthians 12:8,) it will deserve your consideration, whether the knowledge of mysteries may not be used here to mean wisdom. As... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Negative view of love. Again and again, in St. Paul's writings, we have an epistle within the Epistle. Thus, the summation of practical duties ( Romans 12:1-21 .), the argument on the resurrection ( 1 Corinthians 14:1-40 .), and the portraiture of love in this chapter. By this means we get a well defined view of the object without losing its connections. It is not as if we were looking at the Peak of Teneriffe rising out of the loneliness of the sea, but rather a Mont Blanc, one with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Life without love. I. THE APOSTLE DECLARES THE NOTHINGNESS OF LIFE WITHOUT LOVE . He supposes some extreme cases. 1. The acquisition of all languages; the utmost facility of expression; the most splendid eloquence. He does not even limit to humanity, but adds, "and of angels," to show that no acquisition in this direction at all meets the case. The Corinthian Church was peculiarly proud of its "gift of tongues;" its love was not so conspicuous. Our glorying is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

Charity puts the acceptableness on all gifts and works. The Revised Version renders "charity" as "love." Explain "charity;" distinguish from "almsgiving," and from the love that is connected with human relationships. If we could intelligently use the word "charity" to express God's love for us, we should be able to use it intelligently of the love which we have, as Christians, for each other, and of the love that must tone and temper the use of all Christian gifts. Charity is the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

The supremely excellent way of Christian love. This chapter has been in all ages the object of the special admiration of the Church. Would that it had received in all ages the loftier and more valuable admiration which would have been expressed by an acceptance of its lessons! Tertullian says that it is uttered "with all the force of the Spirit" ( totis Spiritus viribus ) . It is a glorious hymn or paean in honour of Christian love, in which St. Paul rises on the wings of inspiration... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:2

Prophecy . The power of lofty utterance belonged to Balaam and Caiaphas; yet it availed them nothing without love. "Lord, Lord," exclaim the troubled souls at the left hand, "have we not prophesied in thy Name?" Yet he answers them," I never knew you." All mysteries. Though I can speak of the secrets of God once hidden but now revealed ( Matthew 13:11 ; Romans 16:27 ; 1 Corinthians 2:7 ; Ephesians 3:3 , etc.). And all knowledge. Insight into the deeper meanings of Scripture,... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:2

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:2

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