1 Corinthians 13:3

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 13:3

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor ,.... Of which the Jews give us instances; they say F14 T. Hieros. Peah, fol. 15. 2. , that R. Ishcab stood, והחליק כל נכסיו לעניים , "and distributed all his goods to the poor"; and a little after they say the same of King Monbaz, that he stood and gave away, or dispersed, "all his goods to the poor"; and elsewhere F15 Juchasin, fol. 51. 2. Vid. T. Bab. Bava Bathra, fol. 148. 2. they say of R. Eliezer ben Judah, that the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:3

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor - This is a proof that charity, in our sense of the word, is not what the apostle means; for surely almsgiving can go no farther than to give up all that a man possesses in order to relieve the wants of others. The word ψωμιζω , which we translate to feed the poor, signifies to divide into morsels, and put into the mouth; which implies carefulness and tenderness in applying the bounty thus freely given. And though I give my body to be... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 13:3

Verse 3 3.And if I should expend all my possessions. (779) This, it is true, is worthy of the highest praise, if considered in itself; but as liberality in many cases proceeds from ambition — not from true generosity, or even the man that is liberal is destitute of the other departments of love, (for even liberality, that is inwardly felt, is only one department of love,) it may happen that a work, otherwise so commendable, has, indeed, a fair show in the sight of men, and is applauded by them,... 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 13:2-3

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

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