1 Corinthians 13:1-14:25

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 13:1

Though I speak with the tongues of men ,.... That is, of all men, all languages that men anywhere speak, or have been spoken by them. The number of these is by some said F9 Eupherus & alii in Clement. Alex. Stromat. l. 1. p. 338. to be "seventy five"; but the general opinion of the Jews is, that at the confusion of languages at Babel, they were seventy; for they say F11 Pirke Eliezer, c. 24. , that then "the holy blessed God descended, and "seventy angels" surrounding the... read more

Adam Clarke

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

Though I speak, etc. - At the conclusion of the preceding chapter the apostle promised to show the Corinthians a more excellent way than that in which they were now proceeding. They were so distracted with contentions, divided by parties, and envious of each other's gifts, that unity was nearly destroyed. This was a full proof that love to God and man was wanting; and that without this, their numerous gifts and other graces were nothing in the eyes of God; for it was evident that they did... read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 1 The division of the Chapter being so absurd, I could not refrain from changing it, especially as I could not conveniently interpret it otherwise. For what purpose did it serve to connect with what goes before a detached sentence, which agrees so well with what comes after — nay more, is thereby rendered complete? It is likely, that it happened through a mistake on the part of the transcribers. However it may be as to this, after having commanded that regard should be had chiefly to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:1

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels . The case is merely supposed. The tongues of men are human languages, including, perhaps, the peculiar utterance of ecstatic inspiration with which he is now dealing. It is, perhaps, with reference to this latter result of spiritual exultation, at any rate in its purest and loftiest developments, that he adds the words, "and of angels." It is unlikely that he is referring to the rabbinic notion that the angels only understood Hebrew,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:1

Eloquence without charity. "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." Two introductory truths are suggested by the context. 1. That there is great diversity in the talents with which Heaven has endowed mankind. There are "diversities" of gifts. Whilst it is true that the apostle refers especially to miraculous gifts, those very gifts have their equivalents amongst men now. True, we have no... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:1

"Love." The word rendered "charity" in the Old Version, and "love" in the Revised Version of our New Testament, is not a classical substantive. It is emphatically a Christian term. And this need not be wondered at; for as the virtue itself is one, if not created, yet developed by Christianity, it is what might have been expected to find that the thing gave rise to the name. This chapter has been called a psalm of love, and is admired both for its elevated thinking and its melodious... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 13:1

Love and language. It would seem that, of all gifts, the gift of speech, and especially that variety of it known as the gift of tongues, was most prized by the Christians of Corinth. Probably for this reason the apostle puts this in the forefront, when he compares other possessions and virtues with the grace of love. I. IN WHAT THE SUPERIORITY OF LOVE OVER SPEECH CONSISTS . 1. In the fact that the gift of tongues draws attention to the possessor himself, whilst... 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

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